Leon County Animal Control Division

Is your pet a public nuisance??
Dog barking at all hours of the night, or day?
Cat strolling along the fence, sleeping on cars?
Neighbor's dog or cat using your yard for a rest room?

These situations can be resolved or corrected. If you know who the animal belongs to, the neighborly thing to do is to let the owner know what is happening. Some pet owners do not know their animals have extra curricular activities. If the pet owner is aware of the activity, then contact Leon County Animal Control (850) 606-5400. Under County Ordinance, Animal Control is required to notify the owner in writing that their animal is causing a nuisance and the owner needs to take corrective action. If an Animal Control Officer witnesses the violation, then any future violations may result in a monetary citation. If the violation is not observed by an Officer, two or more neighbors living within 200 feet of the nuisance animal must file an Affidavit of Complaint form against the pet owner and their animal.

By definition, a 'Public Nuisance' shall mean any animal which chases vehicles or molests passerby; or, any animal which runs at large upon public or private property without permission from the property owner; or, any animal which soils, defiles, or defecates on public or private property, other that the property of the owner, unless the owner immediately removes and properly disposes of it; or, any animal which causes unsanitary or dangerous conditions to exist; any feral animal; or any animal which continuously barks, howls, or otherwise disturbs the peace.

Public Nuisance Prohibited, Leon County Chapter 4 Section 4-36
     (a) It shall be unlawful for any animal to become a public nuisance.
     (b) The owner of any domestic or captive wild animal which is a public nuisance shall be subject to the procedures and penalties set forth in section 4-29 (Enforcement generally; penalties)
      (c) Any animal which is feral shall be classified as a public nuisance and shall be impounded and humanely euthanized. Feral animals shall not be required to be held for a minimum period of time as is required for other stray animals.
     (d) Any nuisance complaint may be investigated by animal control or law enforcement. The owner shall first be given written notification by the county that the animal's behavior constitutes a public nuisance, that the owner is required to make reasonable effort to abate the nuisance within seven (7) calendar days of the written notice of violation, and that subsequent violations may result in the issuance of a citation to the owner for allowing his or her animal to become a nuisance.
     (e) Subsequent violations, after warning, shall be based on the animal control officer or law enforcement having personal knowledge of the nuisance or a least two (2) affidavits from different parties residing in close proximity to the alleged nuisance must be received. Close proximity shall mean residing within a radius of 200 feet from the residence or location of the offending animal but shall not preclude the consideration of evidence and testimony of persons living more than 200 feet from the residence or location of the offending animal. One affidavit may be sufficient to warrant an investigation where there is only one party in close proximity to the alleged nuisance.