Broward County Commission Regular Meeting
Director's Name: Andrew J. Meyers
Department: County Attorney
Information
Requested Action
title
MOTION TO ENACT Ordinance, the title of which is as follows:
AN ORDINANCE OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF BROWARD COUNTY, FLORIDA, PERTAINING TO DANGEROUS DOGS AND CONFINING OF ANIMALS; AMENDING SECTIONS 4-2, 4-6, 4-12, AND 4-19 OF THE BROWARD COUNTY CODE OF ORDINANCES (“CODE”); REQUIRING THAT OWNERS CONFINE CERTAIN DOGS IN A PROPER ENCLOSURE; REQUIRING THAT CERTAIN DOGS BE CONFISCATED DURING A DANGEROUS DOG INVESTIGATION; REQUIRING DANGEROUS DOG OWNERS TO OBTAIN LIABILITY INSURANCE; REVISING CIVIL PENALTIES FOR VIOLATIONS; MAKING IT A VIOLATION TO RESTRAIN AND ABANDON A DOG DURING A NATURAL DISASTER; AND PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY, INCLUSION IN THE CODE, AND AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
(Sponsored by the Board of County Commissioners)
body
Why Action is Necessary
Board action is necessary to enact an Ordinance required to remain compliant with state law.
What Action Accomplishes
Allows for the Board’s consideration of the proposed Ordinance.
Goal Related Icon(s)
☐County Commission
☐Go Green
☐MAP Broward
Previous Action Taken
Summary Explanation/Background
Sections 767.01, 767.10, 767.11, 767.12, and 767.13, Florida Statutes, governing dangerous dogs and related proceedings, and Section 828.13, Florida Statutes, concerning the confinement of animals, were amended by the Florida Legislature during the 2025 Legislative Session, requiring amendments to Sections 4-2, 4-6, 4-12, and 4-19 of the Broward County Code of Ordinances (“Code”) to align with the legislative changes.
The Code has been revised to:
• Consolidate the definitions of animal care specialist and animal care field officer
• Define business days
• Adopt the statutory definition of a dangerous dog
• Define the Dunbar bite scale and require that a dog that has killed a human or caused a bite classified as level 5 or higher on the Dunbar bite scale be impounded and held by the Animal Care Division (“Division”)
• Modify the definition of proper enclosure and require that dogs with dangerous propensities be confined within such enclosures
• Extend the time period for owners to request a hearing challenging an initial determination from seven calendar days to ten business days
• Require owners of a dog classified as dangerous to obtain a minimum of one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000) in liability insurance coverage
• Require that dogs be safely and securely restrained during transport
• Increase the fine for violating dangerous dog requirements to one thousand dollars ($1,000) per violation
• Provide the Division with the option to immediately impound and hold a dangerous dog that is the subject of a subsequent dangerous dog investigation
• Establish that restraining and abandoning an animal during a natural disaster constitutes a violation
Timely notice has been published in accordance with the applicable requirements to permit the Board’s consideration of the proposed Ordinance.
Source of Additional Information
Maite Azcoitia, Deputy County Attorney, 954-357-7600
Fiscal Impact
Fiscal Impact/Cost Summary
Per the Office of Management and Budget, the estimated impact on the budget does not exceed the threshold required for a Fiscal Impact Statement.