Violations and citations

Information about Animal Control Citations—92.27(a) and 92.99

Animal Control Officers may issue citations to citizens who violate city Animal Control ordinances. The citations are issued for civil, not criminal, infractions. Currently, the citation amounts are as follows:

First offense	$50
Second offense	$100
Third offense	$200 plus mandatory court appearance

Entry onto private property

Animal Control Officers are empowered to enter onto private property and demand animal(s) and or tag(s) be exhibited (this empowerment does not include entry into a dwelling or structure). The officer may enter into a fenced enclosure for the purposes of, but not limited to, apprehending a rabid animal, assisting an animal at large, an animal in need of medical attention, cruelty investigations, or vicious animals not properly controlled. In these situations, the officers are granted immunity from prosecution for a reasonable good faith trespass on private property. Refusal by any property owner to allow the officer to enter shall constitute a violation.

Violations and information

Animals at Large—92.03 (A)(1)

All domestic pets must be properly restrained at all times while outside the confines of the owner’s home. Restraint is defined as being on a leash, within an enclosed area or otherwise secured within the property limits of its owner or keeper. Verbal command is not deemed to be proper restraint. Animals captured running loose are transported to the Animal Control holding facility for the owner to pick up. An impound fee of $25 is charged for each animal picked up, and $10 for each night the animal remains at the animal control compound. If the owner fails to pick up the animal, it is transported to the Humane Society of St. Lucie County (772) 461-0687.

Farm Animals Not Permitted—92.05(C)

It is unlawful to keep or permit to run at large horses, donkeys, cattle, swine, sheep, chickens, ducks, geese, roosters, goats, bees or other animals considered to be a farm animal within the corporate limits of the city.

Captive Wildlife—92.05 (A)

The permanent housing of captive wildlife, with the appropriate permitting from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, in the City of Port St. Lucie is allowed. Some examples of captive wildlife are as follows: Howler Monkey, Lynx, Panther, Bobcat, Cheetah, Leopard, Wolves, Wolf Hybrids, Badger, Hyena, Dwarf Crocodiles, Alligator, and Ostrich.

Female Pet(S) in Heat—92.07

It is unlawful to permit female domestic pets to be unrestrained or in any public place while they are in heat. They must be securely confined in a building or enclosure so they are inaccessible to males of a like species.

Interference with an Animal Control Officer—92.28

It is unlawful to forcibly interfere with, hinder or molest an Animal Control Officer in the performance of their duties, or to unlawfully seek to release any animal in the custody of an officer. Violations of this ordinance are punishable by issuance of a citation.

Noisy Animals Prohibited—92.09

It shall be unlawful for any person to keep, harbor, own, or maintain any animal which causes a noise disturbance by barking, yelping, howling, screeching, squawking, chirping, cawing, crowing or whistling between the hours of 11 p.m. and 6 a.m. Additionally, the animal may not bark, yelp, howl, screech, squawk, chirp, caw, crow, or whistle for continuous periods of five minutes or more at any other time of the day.

Animal Neglect—92.14

Animal neglect cases are typically when one of the following occurs:

No water or food is provided for the animal
No shelter is provided for the animal
The owner of the animal does not provide necessary veterinary care
The animal is kept in unsanitary or inhumane conditions
There is insufficient air ventilation or circulation provided
Any animals maintained on a tether must be free of entanglements. All tethers must be a minimum of 6 feet in length, or appropriate for the breed. No choke or prong type collars may be used unless the animal is under the handler’s direct control.
Animals kept outdoors must be brought into the residence if the outside heat index temperature reaches 100 degrees Fahrenheit or higher or if the wind chill factor reaches 35 degrees Fahrenheit or lower; or during sever inclement weather such as severe thunderstorm, tropical storm/hurricane warnings or events, tornadoes or flooding.

Animals Improperly Left Inside Vehicles—92.14(3), 92.03

Many of our residents especially out of state visitors, do not realize how quickly heat can build up inside their vehicle, even with the windows partially open. For that reason, a citation may be issued to violators who leave their animals inside a vehicle without proper ventilation and water.

Unrestrained Dogs/Truck Beds—92.03 (A)(2)

A citation may be issued to an owner who does not properly restrain their dog in the unenclosed area of a motor vehicle (truck bed). A restraint limits the animal from reaching the outside perimeter of the vehicle and prevents the animal from being thrown out of the bed of a pick-up.

Removal of Animal Defecation—92.16

It is unlawful for any person to allow an animal to defecate upon private property not owned by the person or upon public property, including but not limited to sidewalks and swales, without removing the defecation. This shall not apply to physically challenged persons or if the owner has the consent of the property owner in question.

Teasing of an Animal—92.17

In the City of Port St. Lucie it is unlawful for any person to intentionally tease any animal. Should an investigation conclude a minor child was the violator, their parent or legal guardian may be held accountable for their actions.

Number of Domestic Pet(s) Allowed—92.18

The number of domestic pets allowed per household within the City of Port St. Lucie is a total of five (5). Domestic pets included under this restriction are dogs and cats with a maximum of two (2) Vietnamese Potbellied Pigs in the overall total number of pets residing at the residence.

Animal Licensing—92.40

All domestic pets over the age of 6 months old must have a City of Port St. Lucie animal license displayed on their collar. The cost for a license is $5 for an altered animal (spay or neutered), or $15 for an unaltered animal. Proof of current rabies vaccination from a licensed veterinarian is required, and licenses may be obtained from most Port St Lucie veterinarians, and at the Animal Control Department 1133 S.W. Macedo Blvd., or by mail.

Sick or Injured Animals

If a domestic animal is either sick or injured the owner is immediately contacted to obtain medical treatment. If the owner is unknown, then the animal is taken to the St Lucie Humane Society for treatment. Sick or injured wildlife that is in need of immediate medical attention is transported to a local veterinarian for treatment. and then remanded to the care of a licensed Wildlife Rehabilitator until the animal can be released back into the wild.

Bite Cases and Quarantine Requirements—92.08

A domestic animal that bites an individual must be quarantined for a 10-day period, and a bite report filed with the Animal Control Division. If the animal’s rabies shot is current then the animal may be quarantined at home. However, if the animal is not current, it is impounded and quarantined at either the St. Lucie County Humane Society or the animal’s veterinarian at the owner’s expense.

Aggressive Animals—92.02

In an attempt to protect the welfare and safety of the community the City has adopted an Aggressive Animal ordinance to place restrictions on animals and owners whose animals have shown aggressive behavior.

An aggressive animal is defined as an animal that has:

Severely injured or killed a domestic animal while off the owners property
Has been used primarily or in part for the purpose of dog fighting or is a dog trained for fighting
When unprovoked, been involved in an attack that causes multiple bites to one person or bites multiple people that does not rise to rise to level of severe injury or death of a person or animal(s) on public or private property, or
In the opinion of an animal control officer or a law enforcement officer, the animal posed a threat to the safety and welfare of the community.

Owners of animals that are declared Aggressive by the Animal Control Division must abide by all restrictions placed upon them and are subject to monthly inspections to ensure compliance.