County Ordinance Chapter 14

Sarasota County Sheriff's Office Animal Services Section
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County Ordinance Chapter 14 contains several new regulations concerning pets and other animals. These regulations contribute to the well-being of the pets and animals in our community and, therefore, to the well-being of us all. If you own or care for a pet or any other animal, you will want to be aware of these important regulations.
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1. Each year, you must obtain a license certificate and tag for your dog or cat. This applies to dogs and cats four months of age or older. In order to receive the license, your dog or cat must be vaccinated against rabies by a licensed veterinarian. The license is valid for one year from the date of vaccination. The official county license may be attached to a collar or harness but must be worn by the animal at all times.

2.Your dog or cat may not run at large on any public property or the property of another except designated parks. It must be under direct control of a responsible person. Direct Control MEANS: immediate and continuous physical control of an animal at all times such as by means of fence, leash, cord, or chain of sufficient strength to restrain the animal.

3.You may not own or keep a public nuisance animal. This includes an animal that:

a. is repeatedly found at large;

b. damages the property of anyone other than its owner;

c. chases vehicles;

d. makes excessive, disturbing noise;

e. is dangerous to the public health, safety, or welfare;

f. attacks other animals.

4.Cruelty to animals is prohibited. Cruelty means any act of neglect, torture or torment that causes unjustifiable pain or suffering of an animal.

5.You must keep a female dog or cat that is in heat in a secure enclosure so that it cannot come in contact with a male dog or cat, except for intentional breeding purposes. A secure enclosure is a building, veterinary hospital, boarding kennel or a closed kennel. A fenced area is not a secure enclosure.

6.You may not take an animal onto any public beach, park (except designated areas), playground, public school premises, or public building. Dogs that are trained to help the disabled are allowed if they are being used for that purpose.

7.It shall be unlawful for a person to abandon or dispose of an animal on the property of another or public property; or to abandon an animal on his former residence when relocating to a new residence.

8.You may not transport an animal in the open bed of a pickup truck on a public road unless the animal is inside a locked animal carrier or restrained by a minimum of two (2) tethers, each affixed to the opposite side of the truck or other vehicle and both attached to the collar or harness of such animal.

The Sarasota Sheriff's Office Animal Service Section is empowered to pick up and impound any animal in violation of these regulations.

Fines can be levied against the owner of animals declared in violation of Sarasota County Animal Control Ordinances. Impound and maintenance fee must be paid before animals impounded for ordinance violations can be released to its owner. The fine for each violation increases when there are second and third occurrences of that violation within 18 months of the first occurrence.

Penalties for Civil Infractions

First
Second
Third or More

1. Unlicensed Dog or Cat
$ 50.00
$100.00
$200.00

2. Dog or Cat Running at Large
$50.00
$100.00
$200.00

3. Public Nuisance Animal
$50.00
$100.00
$350.00

4. Cruelty to Animals
$100.00
$500.00
$500.00

5. Failure to Confine Female in Heat
$50.00
$100.00
$200.00

6. Animal on Public Property
$50.00
$200.00
$300.00

7. Abandonment of Animals
$100.00
$200.00
$300.00

8. Transport Animal in Open Pickup
$35.00
$100.00
$200.00

*In addition to the above civil penalties set by resolution of the Board of County Commissioners, there is a surcharge imposed of $8.00 upon each civil penalty imposed for violation of this ordinance. Above Fines Do Not Reflect Impound and Maintenance Fees.

If you have any questions about this information, please call Animal Services at 861-9500.

The administrative offices are open between the hours of 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. The kennel is open between the hours of 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday and Sat, from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Sunday 12 noon to 2 p.m.  The kennel is closed on holidays.

Sarasota County Sheriff's Office Animal Services Section

8451 Bee Ridge Road
Sarasota, FL 34241
861-9500