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Home My WebLink About2016 07 25 Other Public Input, Documents provided by R. Rodriguez Date: July 25, 2016 These documents were provided to the City by Ms. Ranae Rodriguez during "Public Input" at the July 25, 2016 City Commission Regular Meeting. Winter Springs does not have the appropriate ordinances in place to adequately protect its citizens and their domestic animals from the rise in Pitt Bull violence. In August 2015, my 65 year old neighbor was walking her Yorkie on David St. when 2 pit bulls attacked. She was taken from the scene in an ambulance and her dog went to the emergency vet. The dog owner was a renter who violated his lease by having Pitt Bulls. In February 2016- 1 met my new neighbors who are renting the property at 107 Albert st. They and their 3 Pitt Bulls were in my front yard. The dogs were standing over the dead body of my cat- His head was severed from his body. 1 filed a police report. I was told there are no ordinances in place in Winter Springs -to allow for anything other than a citation for the dogs being off property. Although, both the police officer & animal control asked the residents to repair the fence and gate- they have chosen not to comply. In May the parents at the bus stop witnessed one of the dogs rushing out at my daughter on her way to the bus & a few days later a neighbor boy on the way back from the bus stop. We are very worried- my husband spoke to the chief of police — he was told if they don't see the dogs loose and a person wasn't bitten there is nothing they can do. In June I heard screams in front my house and found 2 young girls hurrying up the street holding a Chiwawa as one of the pits from 107 Albert st was following after them. The police were called. The dog owner was spoken to. & again we were told there was nothing more they could do. Perhaps ordinances similar to City of Deltona in Volusia County could be adopted as they are more detailed and have consequences for violence against domestic animals . 4s it seems to be irresponsible renters being irresponsible dog owners- perhaps there is a way for 'he city to contact the home owner after a complaint of dog aggression has been made? would like to see Winter Springs be proactive - giving its police the resources needed to protect against a terrible tragedy rather than giving a statement to the news after one has occurred. Seminole County Ordinances: ' f Section 20.17 (ANIMAL AT LARGE) It shall be unlawful for any animal owner to allow,either willfully or through failure to exercise due care and control,his animal(s)to run at-large upon public property,unless said public property expressly authorizes the same,or upon private property of others,including common areas of condominiums,cluster homes,planned unit developments,and community associations without the consent of all owners thereof,unless said private property owners authorize the same by express or implied consent. Sec.20.20.-Damaging or destroying property or animals. (a) It shall be unlawful for any animal owner to permit,either willfully or through failure to exercise due care and control,any animal to damage,harm or destroy the property or animal of another person. (b) Every animal owner who intentionally,wilfully,carelessly,or negligently suffers or permits such animal to run at- large,shall be liable in damages for all injury and property damage by any person or animal by reason thereof. (SCC,§4-16,9-27-77) Volusia County Ordinances: Dangerous dog means any dog that according to the records of the animal control authority: (1) Has aggressively bitten,attacked,endangered,or has inflicted severe injury to or death of a human being on public or private property; ec. 14-41.-Duty of animal owners to be responsible owners. 1) It shall be the duty of every owner of any animal,or anyone having any animal in his or her possession or custody,to exercise reasonable care and to take all necessary steps and precautions to protect other people,property and animals from injuries or damage which might result from his or her animal's behavior,regardless of whether such behavior is motivated by mischievousness,playfulness or ferocity. (b) In the event that the owner or keeper of any animal is a minor,the parent or guardian of such minor shall be responsible to ensure that all provisions of this article are complied with. (c) Any person found in violation of this section is subject to the penalties prescribed in section 14-32. (Ord. No. 91-33,§XI, 10-10-91; Ord. No. 93-25,§XI, 11-4-93; Ord. No.94-15,§ VI,9-18-94) Sec. 1445.-Restraint of animals while on property of owner. ec. 14-170.-Attack or bite by dangerous dog. (a) If a dog that has previously been declared dangerous attacks or bites a person or kills a domestic animal without provocation,the owner is guilty of a misdemeanor of the first degree,punishable as provided in F.S.§775.082 or F.S. § 775.083. In addition,the dangerous dog shall be immediately confiscated by an animal control authority, impounded and held for ten business days after the owner is given written notification under section 14-166 of this division,and thereafter destroyed in an expeditious and humane manner.This ten-day time period shall allow the owner to request a hearing under section 14-166.The owner shall be responsible for payment of all boarding costs and other fees as may be required to humanely and safely keep the animal during any appeal procedure. :b) If a dog that has not been declared dangerous attacks and causes severe injury to or death of any human or death of a domestic animal,the dog shall be immediately confiscated by an animal control authority, impounded and held for ten business days after the owner is given written notification under section 14-166 of this division, and thereafter destroyed in an expeditious and humane manner. This ten-day time period shall allow the owner to request a hearing under section 14-166. The owner shall be responsible for payment of all boarding costs and other fees as may be required to humanely and safely keep the animal during any appeal procedure. In addition, if the owner of the dog had prior knowledge of the dog's dangerous propensities, yet demonstrated a reckless disregard for such propensities under the circumstances, the owner of the dog is guilty of a misdemeanor of the second degree, punishable as provided in F.S. §§ 775.082 or 775.083. If a dog that has previously been declared dangerous attacks and causes severe injury to or death of any human, the owner is guilty of a felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in F.S. §§ 775.082, 775.083, or 775.084. In addition, the dog shall be immediately confiscated by an animal control authority, impounded and held for ten business days after the owner is given written notification under section 14-166 of this division, and thereafter destroyed in an expeditious and humane manner. This ten-day time period shall allow the owner to request a hearing under section 14-166. The owner shall be responsible for payment of all boarding costs and other fees as may be required`to humpnely and safely keep the animal during any appeal procedure. (d) If the owner files a written appeal under section 14-166 of this division, the dog must be held and may not be destroyed while the appeal is pending. (e) If a dog attacks or bites a person who is engaged in or attempting to engage in a criminal activity at the time of the attack, the owner is not guilty of any crime specified under this section. M If a dog is confiscated and impounded under the circumstances mentioned in this section, it may be placed in quarantine, if necessary, at the impounding facility. (Ord. No. 22-2006, § 5, 9-6-2006)