County's animal control ordinance updated

Posted 1/30/23

OKEECHOBEE – Changes to the Okeechobee County Animal Control Ordinance which was updated on Jan. 1, prohibits the feeding of feral cats on public property and prohibits leaving a dog chained or …

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County's animal control ordinance updated

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OKEECHOBEE – Changes to the Okeechobee County Animal Control Ordinance which was updated on Jan. 1, prohibits the feeding of feral cats on public property and prohibits leaving a dog chained or tied for more than four hours at a time.

The updated ordinance prohibits feeding of feral cats on private property without the written approval of the property owner. It also prohibits the feeding of feral cats on public property. It states: “The animal control division shall reduce the animal populations, by trap and removal, at locations where feral cats are being fed in violation of this section, if deemed necessary for public health and safety.”

The ordinance requires animals be provided with shelter that meets minimum standards:

• Sufficient in size to allow the animal to stand up, tum around, lie down and stretch comfortably;

• Designed to protect the animal from the adverse effects of the elements and provide access to shade from direct sunlight and regress from exposure to inclement weather conditions;

• Free of standing water, accumulated waste and debris;

• Provide adequate ventilation; and,

• Provide a solid surface flooring area, resting platform, pad, mat or similar provision of adequate size for the animal to lie upon in a comfortable manner.

The county ordinance also makes it unlawful to keep stray or lost animals. The ordinance states: “It shall be unlawful for any person in the county to harbor or keep any stray or apparently lost animal unless he/she has notified the animal control division within 24 hours from the time such animal came into his/her possession. Upon receiving such notice, the animal control division may require the person to bring the animal to the animal control division for identification or sheltering, if necessary. It shall be unlawful for any person to refuse to surrender any such stray animal to an animal control officer or law enforcement officer upon the request of such representative of the animal control division.”

The ordinance also makes it unlawful to tie, chain or otherwise tether an animal for more than four hours at a time or for more than eight hours in a 24-hour period, except when the following conditions are met:

• The animal is in the visual range of the responsible party, or the responsible party is located outdoors with the animal;

• The tether shall: Be a minimum of ten feet in length or at least five times the length of the animal; terminate at both ends with a swivel; not weigh more than 1/16 of the animal’s weight; and, fastened on one end to an overhead pulley/running line.

• The overhead pulley/running line shall: Be at least 15 feet in length; be no less than five feet above the ground; and, be secured on each end to a fixed •location. (4) The tether must be fastened on one end to a properly fitting body harness or buckle-type collar made of nylon or leather and must not be a prong or choke collar.

• The tether shall be free from entanglement or other obstructions at all times;

• The animal shall have access to potable water, shelter and dry ground at all times;

• An animal shall not be tethered while sick, injured or in distress;

• An animal shall not be tethered outside during a period of severe weather, including, but not limited to, tornadoes, tropical storms, or hurricanes.

• Multiple animals must be tethered separately.

The ordinance sets limits on the number of animals allowed on a residential property and sets minimum standards for shelter,

Limits the number of animals on residential properties include:

• Dogs and cats: On residential parcels of one-half acre or less, there may be no more than a combination of four cats and dogs over six months of age. On larger parcels, there may be a combination of six dogs and cats over the age of six months. Properties zoned Rural Residential may harbor no more than 10 dogs and cats over the age of six months.

• Horses and cows and other animals that are temporary 4-H or FFA projects may be harbored on residential parcels.

• Other traditional livestock are only permitted on residential parcels if they have Rural Residential zoning and Agriculture zoning.

According to the ordinance, it is unlawful to permit an animal to run at large.

animal control, ordinance, feral cats, dogs

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