§ 4-37. Registration and maintenance of a dangerous dog.

(a)

Except as otherwise provided in paragraph (b) of this section, the owner of a dog classified as dangerous shall:

(1)

Within fourteen (14) days after issuance of the final order classifying the dog as dangerous or the conclusion of any appeal that affirms such final order, in order to maintain such an animal in Osceola County, the owner of the dog shall be required to obtain a certificate of registration, renewable annually, and pay a registration fee as established by the board of county commissioners through a duly adopted resolution. Failure to pay all costs associated with maintaining the dog and the registration fee within the required fourteen-day period, without providing the department with a reasonable explanation for the delay, shall constitute abandonment of the dog and waiver of the holding periods of section 4-8 hereof, enabling the department to provide appropriate disposition of the animal. Prior to being issued a certificate of registration of dangerous dog, or any renewal thereof, the owner, who must be at least eighteen (18) years of age, must provide sufficient evidence of the following:

a.

A current certificate of rabies vaccination for the dog;

b.

The construction of a proper enclosure, approved by the director to confine the dangerous dog and the posting of the premises with a clearly visible warning sign at all entry and exit points which informs both children and adults of the presence of a dangerous dog on the property;

c.

Permanent identification on the dog in the form of electronic implantation referred to as a microchip;

d.

The owner has procured liability insurance or surety bond in the amount of not less than one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000.00), covering any damage or injury which may be caused by the dangerous dog. Such insurance policy shall contain a provision requiring that the county be notified immediately by the agent issuing the policy in the event that the insurance policy is canceled, modified, terminated or expires;

e.

The animal has been sterilized.

(2)

The owner of a dog which has been classified as dangerous must not permit the dog to be outside of the proper enclosure unless the dog is muzzled and restrained by a substantial chain or leash and under control of a competent person. The muzzle must be made in a manner that will not cause injury to the dog or interfere with its vision or respiration but will prevent it from biting any person or animal. The owner may exercise the dog in a securely fenced or enclosed area that does not have a top, without a muzzle or leash, if the dog remains within his or her sight and only members of the immediate household or persons eighteen (18) years of age or older are allowed in the enclosure when the dog is present. When being transported, such dogs must be safely and securely restrained within a vehicle.

(3)

The owner of a dangerous dog shall immediately notify the department in the event such a dog:

a.

Is loose or unconfined;

b.

Has attacked or bitten a human being or attacked or bitten another animal;

c.

Is sold, given away, or dies;

d.

Is moved to another address;

e.

Is stolen, in which case a police report must be filed.

(4)

In the event the owner of a dangerous dog wishes to sell or give the dog away, the owner must provide the name, address, and telephone number of the new owner to the department. The new owner must comply with all of the requirements herein and the final determination issued by the county manager.

(5)

A dangerous dog tag will be issued upon payment of the registration fee and renewed annually thereafter. Failure to pay the dangerous dog fee or obtain a dangerous dog tag for a dog which has been deemed dangerous is a violation. It is a violation to remove, destroy, or deface a dangerous dog tag, and if the dangerous dog tag is lost, it shall be immediately replaced at the expense of the owner.

(6)

If a dog which has been classified as dangerous in another jurisdiction is brought into the county, the owner must immediately register the dangerous dog with the department. Such owner will be required to pay all fees set forth hereunder, comply with the requirements set forth herein for maintaining a dangerous dog in the county and the order from the jurisdiction which classified the dog as dangerous, to the extent that same is not inconsistent with the requirements hereof. The owner of a dog which has been classified as dangerous must ensure that the dog wears the county issued dangerous dog tag at all times without exception.

(7)

A violation of any of the provisions in the section for registering or maintaining a dangerous dog shall result in a civil citation or immediate confiscation of the dangerous dog.

(b)

If a dog is classified as a dangerous dog due to an incident that causes severe injury to a human being, based upon the nature and circumstances of the injury and the likelihood of a future threat to the public safety, health, and welfare, the dog may be destroyed in an expeditious and humane manner in accordance with the provisions of this section.

(Ord. No. 2017-49, § 1, 8-7-17)