Subject:
Title
Ordinance amending Chapter 14 - Animals, Article III. - Animal Care Facilities of the Brevard County Code of Ordinances.
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Fiscal Impact:
None initially. BCSO Animal Services will evaluate to determine whether additional administrative support is required, and if so, whether a full or partial position is needed to support the animal care facilities inspection and registration program.
Dept/Office:
County Attorney’s Office on behalf of BCSO Animal Services
Requested Action:
Recommendation
It is requested that the Board of County Commissioners hold a public hearing and adopt an ordinance amending Chapter 14 - Animals, Article III. - Animal Care Facilities of the Brevard County Code of Ordinances.
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Summary Explanation and Background:
Chapter 14 - Animals, Article III. - Animal Care Facilities of the Brevard County Code of Ordinances provides for the inspection and licensure of animal care facilities, which includes, among other things, boarding facilities, veterinary hospitals, grooming establishments, and pet shops. Presently, the ordinance tasks the Brevard County Health Department with conducting inspections, issuing licenses, and enforcing violations of this article.
The County Health Department and the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office have requested that these responsibilities be reassigned to the Animal Services division of the Sheriff’s Office. The County Attorney’s Office has coordinated with the Health Department and the Sheriff’s Office regarding the proposed ordinance. Once the inspection responsibility is transferred, the Sheriff’s Office will collect the $75 animal care facility application fee established by Board resolution and previously collected by the Health Department.
In addition to transferring animal care facility inspection responsibilities, the Sheriff’s Office requested revisions to Chapter 14, Article III., to clarify the following:
• Animal care facilities are required to provide adequate protection to animals from inclement weather including, but not limited to, extreme heat or cold and hurricanes.
• Persons convicted of animal cruelty are prohibited from owning, operating, or being employed by an animal care facility.
The ordinance also provides a fee schedule setting forth civil penalties for infractions.
Clerk to the Board Instructions:
Upon approval by the Board, execution by the Chair, and attestation by the Clerk, file the ordinance with the Department of State as required by law within the 10-day deadline.