BY DAN HILDEBRAN
Monitor Editor
GREEN COVE SPRINGS— Clay County Commissioners made changes to the county’s animal service ordinance during a March 8 meeting. Amendments to the ordinance outlined animal owners’ responsibilities, regulations for breeders of dogs and cats, and the issuance of fines for violations.
The county said in a news release that the amendments are intended to ensure the health, safety, and welfare of all pets in Clay County.
“The amendments to our animal services ordinance have been made in the interest of promoting responsible pet ownership and protecting the health, safety, and welfare of the citizens of Clay County.” Board Chairman Bolla said. “Commissioners will not tolerate animal neglect nor abuse in Clay County, and the regulations in this ordinance are intended to prevent it.”
The significant changes to the ordinance include:
Animal Cruelty, Animal Neglect, and Tethering
Tethering of an animal to a stationary object while outdoors is lawful only for dogs that are at least one year of age, in good health, not pregnant or having puppies, and have access to clean, fresh water and food.
The ordinance also requires that a tethered dog must be in the visible range of the owner or keeper who must also be outside with the dog at all times.
“Dog owners who tether dogs outside and are not present will be cited by animal control officers,” the county said. “Animal control officers are also authorized to remove tethered dogs behaving aggressively where the dog is accessible by children or the public without a secured fence or enclosure.”
Fines and citations for violations
The ordinance also authorizes animal control officers to issue a written warning or citation to any person found to be in violation of any portion of Ordinance 2022-14.
The written warning will identify the violation and demand it be corrected within a reasonable amount of time. Failure to correct the violation will result in a civil infraction punishable by a maximum fine of $500, pursuant to Florida Statutes.
Breeders of Cats and Dogs and Hobby Breeders
Any person or entity that engages in the breeding of up to three female dogs or cats on their property must obtain an annual license from Clay County Animal Services.
Licenses are issued after an inspection determines the property meets the minimum requirements identified by the ordinance to protect the health and safety of animals and people on the property.
Hobby breeders may keep only one species of dog or cat, and only one breed of that animal on the property. No more than two litters or 20 puppies or kittens, whichever is greater, can be produced annually per hobby breeder.
Hobby breeder license holders are subject to random inspections and routine investigations of complaints without notice and annual inspections with 24-hour notice.
Hobby breeders found in violation of the ordinance may have their licenses revoked and may be subject to penalties as outlined in Florida Statutes 828.27.
Any breeder of dogs or cats in Clay County with more than three breeding females on their property, regardless of ownership, must be licensed through the U.S. Department of Agriculture as a federal commercial breeder. Any breeder not licensed as a federal commercial breeder must be registered and licensed with Clay County Animal Services as a hobby breeder.
