§ 4-14. Reporting bites from dogs, cats, or ferrets.

Any person who has been bitten or has knowledge of or treats any person bitten by any dog, cat, or ferret shall report the incident to the Florida Department of Health and to the Division within twelve (12) hours of the earlier of the occurrence of, or learning of, the incident.

(a)

Owners of dogs, cats, or ferrets which have been reported to have bitten any person shall be charged an animal bite investigation fee as set by resolution when Division staff investigates an animal bite by telephone or by review of correspondence or records to determine the vaccination status and quarantine requirements for the animal and it has been proven by clear and convincing evidence that the dog, cat, or ferret has bitten any person. Such fee shall not be assessed in those instances where the owner and the victim are the same, or are within the immediate family, or are living in the same household, and the dog, cat, or ferret has a current rabies vaccination.

(b)

Owners of dogs, cats, or ferrets which have been reported to have bitten any person shall be charged a field investigation fee in the amount set by resolution when Division staff is not able to obtain all necessary information pursuant to Subsection (a) above and an animal care specialist is dispatched to conduct a field investigation. If the animal care specialist is required to make a visit to the victim of the animal bite to verify the dog, cat, or ferret bite or wound and obtain copies of all medical treatment provided by a hospital or doctor treating the bite victim, an additional field investigation fee will be charged as set by resolution.

(c)

If a quarantine is required at a quarantine facility and the owner of the dog, cat, or ferret has failed to submit the dog, cat, or ferret to the facility after a period of twenty-four (24) hours after notice of a quarantine requirement at a quarantine facility, the Division shall have the right to pick up the dog, cat, or ferret and transport said animal to the quarantine facility. The owners of animals shall be charged a transportation fee in the amount set by resolution when the Division transports the dog, cat, or ferret after the owner has failed to transport said animal to a quarantine facility within twenty-four (24) hours after notification of said requirement.

(d)

At the end of each quarantine period for rabies observation, owners of a dog, cat, or ferret which has been reported to have bitten any person are required to call the Division to verify that the dog, cat, or ferret reported to have bitten any person is alive and healthy to assure that it is free of a rabies infection. A quarantine release fee in the amount set by resolution shall be charged when the owner fails to call and the Division was unsuccessful in reaching the owner by telephone within forty-eight (48) hours following the expiration of the quarantine period, thereby requiring the dispatch of an animal care specialist to observe the dog, cat, or ferret.

(e)

An invoice reflecting the fees imposed pursuant to this Ordinance shall be sent to the owner of the dog, cat, or ferret. Payment shall be made by the owner within thirty (30) calendar days of the date of said invoice. Any person who fails to pay the invoice is subject to a civil action by Broward County to collect the fees.

(Ord. No. 87-21, § 1, 5-12-87; Ord. No. 1998-41, § 8, 11-10-98; Ord. No. 2013-10, § 1, 2-12-13)