§ 10-16. Violations; penalty.

It shall be unlawful for any person to hinder or prevent the performance of any act or duty authorized or required by this chapter. Violation of any provision of this chapter is a civil infraction with a maximum fine of $500.00. Any law enforcement officer, or the animal control officer, finding probable cause that a personal has committed an act in violation of this chapter, may issue that person a citation. Any person charged under this section who does not wish to contest the violation shall pay, within 30 days of the date of receiving the citation, the fine either by mail or in person to the clerk of the county court. If the person cited fails to follow the above procedure, he or she shall be deemed to have admitted the infraction and to have waived his or her right to a hearing.

Any person who wishes to contest the citation must, within 30 days of the date of receiving the citation. Hearings shall be conducted pursuant to procedures set out in chapter 61. Any fine imposed shall be recorded in the public records of the county and shall be a lien on all property, both personal and real, owned by the offender.

Any person who willfully refuses to sign and accept a citation shall be guilty of a misdemeanor of the second degree, punishable as provided in F.S. § 775.082 or § 775.083.

This chapter hereby adopts and makes a part hereof F.S. § 767.12(7), providing that any person violating any provisions of this chapter is guilty of a non-criminal infraction and may be punishable by a fine not exceeding $500.00.

Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of section 10-17, any person charged with a violation of section 10-5 hereof relating to vaccination certificates may present to the clerk of county court, within 15 days after receiving the citation, the required vaccination certificate covering the animal that is the subject of the citation. In that event, the clerk of county court may dismiss the case upon payment of a $15.00 dismissal fee.

(Ord. No. 03-1, § 19, 4-8-2003; Ord. No. 2016-7, § 1, 5-10-2016)