§ 14-35. Animal control officers.

(a)

Animal control authority. The authority and primary responsibility of the county for enforcement of this article and the animal control laws of the state is hereby delegated to the county manager, the animal control division, and each animal control officer who is certified according to the laws of the state. Each animal control officer so certified shall have complete police and law enforcement power to enforce this article and the provisions of state law, rules and regulations relating to animal control in the unincorporated area of the county.

(b)

Animal control officer training course.

(1)

County-employed animal control officers shall successfully complete a 40-hour minimum standards training course. Such course shall include but is not limited to training for animal cruelty investigations, search and seizure, animal handling, courtroom demeanor and civil citations. The course curriculum must be approved by the Florida Animal Control Association. An animal control officer who successfully completes such a course shall be issued a certificate indicating that he or she has received a passing grade.

(2)

Any animal control officer who was authorized by a county to issue citations prior to January 1, 1990, is not required to complete the minimum standards training course.

(3)

A surcharge of $5.00 shall be collected upon each civil penalty imposed for violation of this article. The proceeds from such surcharges shall be used to pay the costs of training for animal control officers.

(Ord. No. 91-33, § III, 10-10-91; Ord. No. 93-25, § III, 11-4-93; Ord. No. 94-15, § II, 9-18-94; Ord. No. 2003-15, § 3, 10-2-03)