AGENDA ITEM REPORT
TITLE:
title
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE CITY'S CODE OF ORDINANCES BY AMENDING CHAPTER 5, "ANIMALS," SPECIFICALLY SECTIONS 5-2, "DEFINITIONS," 5-3, "ADOPTION OF COUNTY ANIMAL CONTROL ORDINANCE," 5-5, " KEEPING AGRICULTURAL AND FARM ANIMALS," 5-6, "PROHIBITION ON NUISANCES; RUNNING AT LARGE, VICIOUS DOGS, DOGS HAVING BITTEN OR ATTACKED," 5-7, "PROHIBITION OF CRUELTY TO ANIMALS," 5-8, "WILD ANIMALS, WATERFOWL, AND RELATED NUISANCES," AND 5-9, "IMPOUNDING, DISPOSITION OF ANIMALS," TO CLARIFY DEFINITIONS, PROHIBIT PUBLIC NUISANCES CAUSED BY UNNATURAL CONGREGATIONS OF WILDLIFE, AND UPDATE LANGUAGE TO BE CONSISTENT WITH STATE LAW. (SECOND READING)(PUBLIC HEARING)
body
BACKGROUND:
This item was approved on First Reading at the February 22, 2024, City Commission Meeting. Through consensus, staff was directed to address the number of domestic chickens that would be allowed in a residential zoning district. Staff was further directed to address requirements for dogs that are kept outside providing for a mandatory timeframe for being brought indoors. Modifications have been made between first and second reading related to the number of domestic chickens allowed in a residential zoning district. With regard to a mandatory timeframe for outside dogs to be brought indoors, staff has concerns as to the creation of non-conforming properties and enforcement. In fact, the City's kennel structure is considered outdoors, and would in fact become non-conforming. Staff's recommendation is to allow the City's Animal Services Officer to enforce our very stringent shelter criteria to ensure that no dogs are treated in a cruel or inhumane manner. However, if it is still the Commission's direction to add such a provision, the following language could be added to Section 5-7 (b)(2), "Prohibition of cruelty to animals:"
Notwithstanding the above, dog(s) may not be maintained outdoors during periods of extreme weather including, but not limited to, hurricanes,...
Click here for full text