§ 5-41. Trapping; exposing poison.

(a)

The animal services division may set box (live-cage) traps only for animals which have allegedly bitten a person or another animal, for nuisance animals that pose a health risk or cause property damage or for the purposes of humane rescue in the interest of the animal itself, as determined by the division manager of the animal services division. A trap may not be set on weekends, county holidays, and during such hours when the animal services division staff is unavailable to retrieve or release a captured animal. Appropriate signage notifying neighbors that a trap is in use must be conspicuously posted at all times. A trap shall be checked a minimum of once every eight (8) hours by an animal services officer or the citizen requesting the trap. The responsible person attending the trap shall immediately notify the animal services division when an animal is captured.

(b)

No animal services division traps will be provided to the general public for the purpose of trapping animals except to assist animal services in trapping as provided in subsection (a).

(c)

Trapping of animals by the public utilizing unauthorized private traps is prohibited.

(1)

Exceptions.

a.

Hunting of game birds and animals in compliance with state laws regulating such activities which shall be limited to rural areas only. Non-targeted animals shall be released immediately at the site of capture.

b.

Nuisance wildlife by such persons holding current permits to engage in such activity, issued by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, and who are registered with the animal services division. Such trapping must be in strict compliance with the provisions of the state permit. Non-targeted animals shall be released immediately at the site of capture.

(d)

Any person who traps animals, without animal services division authority or who is not in compliance with the provisions of this article or not in strict compliance with Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission permits, will be in violation of this section. Animal services will confiscate any trap used in violation of this section.

(e)

No person or entity shall leave or deposit any poisonous or injurious substance of any kind in any common street, alley, lane or thoroughfare or any yard or enclosure which would injure or kill an animal.

(1)

Exceptions:

a.

Moles: Except when contracting the services of a professional, licensed exterminator, only commercial mechanical devices intended for that purpose shall be used.

b.

Rats and mice: Only products, substances or poisons which are completely enclosed in a tamper-resistant or tamper-proof bait station accessible only to rats and mice.

(Ord. No. 91-8, § 17, 4-2-91; Ord. No. 95-32, § 14, 9-26-95; Ord. No. 2005-07 , § 15, 7-12-05)