§ 14-38. Abandonment.

(a)

It shall be unlawful for any person who owns, harbors, or keeps any domesticated animal to abandon it. Abandon shall mean to forsake any domesticated animal for a period in excess of 24 hours without providing for sufficient quantity of good and wholesome food, water and shelter. The animal will not be considered abandoned if the owner arranges for a person to feed, water and monitor the animal's condition on a scheduled or regular basis and in any event in intervals not exceeding 24 hours.

(b)

Whenever the animal control officer finds that any animal is or will be without proper care because of injury, illness, incarceration or involuntary absence of the person responsible for the care of such animal, the animal control officer may impound such animal.

(c)

Any animal that is abandoned shall become property of the department after any other applicable sections of this chapter have been complied with.

(d)

For any animal abandoned at a veterinarian's office or boarding kennel, the provisions of F.S. § 705.19, as may be amended, shall be followed prior to an animal considered abandoned for purposed of this chapter.

(Ord. No. 16-29, § 3, 10-11-16)