§ 10-32. Violations.

For any violation which shall be construed as a civil infraction, the owner of a dog shall be cited by the appropriate official, which shall include a deputy sheriff, police officer, or animal control officer for a violation of this division. The owner of any such dog shall, upon a sustaining of the allegations for each offense, be subjected to a civil penalty not to exceed $500.00. The penalty for a person receiving a citation shall be $35.00 for each offense in the event the individual cited does not contest the citation. Such citation shall be issued by the appropriate official as defined herein who has probable cause to believe that a person has committed an act in violation of this division.

Upon the issuance of a citation by an appropriate official, the owner shall have 30 days to pay the fine herein prescribed for an uncontested violation or to request an administrative hearing before the county judge, who shall determine whether a violation of this division has been committed.

In the event a person cited for violation fails to pay the civil penalty or request an administrative hearing, the court may issue an order to show cause upon the request of the city council through the city manager. Such order shall require any person so cited to appear before the court to explain why action on the citation has not been taken. If any person who is issued such order fails to appear in response to the court's directive, that person may be held in contempt of court.

(Ord. No. 84-1, § 10, 4-11-1984; Ord. No. 94-01, 3-14-1994)

State law reference

Form of citation, F.S. § 828.27; violation a civil infraction, F.S. § 828.27.