Skip to main content
File #: 25-975   
Status: Agenda Ready
In control: PUBLIC HEARING
Agenda Date: 8/21/2025 Final 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)
Attachments: 1. Exhibit 1 - Proposed Ordinance, 2. Exhibit 2 - Business Impact Estimate
Date Action ByActionResultAction DetailsMeeting DetailsVideo
No records to display.
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 bit...

Click here for full text