Title:
title
Worksession - Animal Services Ordinance
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Division:
division
Emergency Management - Animal Services Division
body
Authorized By:
Alan Harris, Emergency Management Director
Contact/Phone Number:
Alan Harris/407-665-5017
Background:
Seminole County Board of County Commissioners Work Session: Provide direction on proposed amendments to the Seminole County Animal Control Ordinance and Administrative Code to strengthen animal welfare protections, enhance animal cruelty investigations and enforcement, address recommendations from animal welfare advocacy groups, and align County Regulations with Florida Statutes.
At its June 2026 meeting, the Animal Control Board unanimously recommended proposed amendments to the Seminole County Code of Ordinances and applicable provisions of the Seminole County Code. Key recommendations include:
• Prohibition of Feline Declawing: Establish restrictions prohibiting the declawing of cats, as recommended by animal welfare advocacy organizations, with appropriate exceptions for medically necessary procedures.
• Prohibition of Retail Rabbit Sales: Prohibit the sale of rabbits by pet stores, as recommended by animal welfare advocacy organizations, while preserving exemptions for legitimate agricultural and livestock purposes.
• Civil Penalty Enforcement and Judicial Remedies: Strengthen the County's ability to enforce animal control regulations through provisions addressing Orders to Show Cause and the recording of final judgments for unpaid civil penalties, improving accountability, compliance, and the recovery of assessed penalties.
• Animal Cruelty Investigations and Enforcement: Strengthen provisions supporting the investigation of animal cruelty, neglect, and abuse, including improved enforcement procedures and protections for animals.
• Aggressive and Dangerous Dogs: Enhance existing regulations governing aggressive and dangerous dogs, including provisions addressing dogs exhibiting a "propensity to be dangerous," to improve early intervention, accountability, and protection of the public and other animals.
• Standards of Animal Care and Fixed-Point Restraints: Strengthen animal welfare protections by establishing minimum standards of care for companion animals, including restrictions on fixed-point restraints, tethering, and confinement practices that may expose animals to injury, neglect, or inhumane conditions.
• Custody of Animals: The Board of County Commissioners would authorize the County Manager to file for custody of animals due to neglect, cruelty, or similar events.
• Alignment with Florida Statutes: Update County regulations to reflect changes in state law and provide greater consistency in animal control enforcement.
The proposed amendments are intended to strengthen animal welfare protections, enhance Seminole County Animal Services' investigative and enforcement capabilities, improve public safety while maintaining consistency with applicable Florida Statutes.