Animal Control

Lake County Animal Control, contact at (352) 343-9688, is dedicated to enforcing local ordinances and state laws that protect our pets and loved ones. Animal control laws protect not only our pets, but us as well.

Alligators

Although most Floridians have learned to live with alligators, the potential for conflict exists. It is rare that an alligator attacks a human but a few precautions should be observed.

Don’t feed or harass alligators. Not only is this act illegal, but over a period of time, the alligator will lose its fear of humans and become dependant on us as their food source.
Never approach an alligator closely. They are quite agile on land.
Don’t swim outside of posted swimming areas, especially in the areas that large gators live. Be sure to check the area for large gators prior to swimming. Don’t swim after dusk/dark. This is the time most alligators actively feed. Avoid thick vegetation areas as this is the area a gator is most likely to call home!
Don’t dump fish scraps into the water or on the shoreline. This will attract gators.
Don’t allow your dog to swim in areas that are known to harbor large gators.
Be aware of your surroundings and use common sense.
If you encounter a nuisance alligator please contact the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission at (352) 732-1225

Animal Bites and Vicious Animals

If you are bitten by any warm blooded animal contact Lake County Animal Control at (352) 343-9688 immediately! You will need to provide an accurate description of the animal as well as victim and animal owner information, if available. It is also strongly suggested to seek medical attention as soon as possible.

Section 6-12. Vicious animals
Any vicious animal must be properly secured and restrained at all times, either by confinement in a fence sufficient to prevent the animal from escaping and roaming at large, or under the direct control of a competent adult, in which case the animal shall be on a leash and securely muzzled. At any location where a vicious animal is kept, there shall be a minimum of two (2) signs posted at eye level in a conspicuous manner, warning the public of the presence of the vicious animal, and at least one (1) sign shall include a symbol as well as a verbal warning. Any vicious animals characterized as a guard or attack animals shall be registered with the animal control officer. Any vicious animal not properly restrained may be impounded.

Loose or Stray Animals

Section 6-11. At-large animals
No animal owner or person having charge, care, custody or control of any animal shall permit, either willfully or through failure to exercise due care and control, any animal to run at large upon any public property, or off the premises of the owner. Any at-large animal not properly restrained may be impounded.

Vaccination and Licensing

Every owner of a dog, cat or ferret four (4) months old or older shall have such animal vaccinated against rabies by a licensed veterinarian or a licensed veterinarian assistant acting as authorized agent of the veterinarian, and obtain evidence of such vaccination in the form of a certificate signed by the person administering the vaccine and containing pertinent data for the identification of the animal.

The owner shall also obtain the license and metal tag required by the ordinances of Lake County , and comply fully with the licensing requirements of Lake County . Failure to obtain the required vaccination and the Lake County license and metal tag shall be a violation of this chapter.

Dogs that are properly trained and actually being used to assist blind persons or deaf persons shall be exempt from the license fee requirements of this chapter.

No unauthorized person shall remove or cause to be removed the collar or tag of any licensed animal within the city.

You may purchase your pets Lake County license from Lake County Animal Control at (352) 343-9688 or any participating Lake County veterinarian.

Animal Cruelty and Neglect

Sec. 6-20. Animal cruelty or neglect
No person, either willfully or negligently, shall deprive any animal under his control or custody of water, shelter, or protection; or abandon, poison, beat or whip any animal under his, another’s, or no one’s control and/or custody; kill any animal under his, another’s, or no one’s control other than for humane purposes; or mutilate, overdrive, overload, overwork, torment, torture, or otherwise cruelly ill-use any animal, including but not limited to, animal fighting.

Other Points of Interest

Sec. 6-10. Female dogs or cats in heat
The owner of any female dog(s) or cat(s) shall adequately keep said animals when they are in heat in such a manner as to make said animal(s) inaccessible to any make dog or cat, except for intentional breeding purposes. Female dog(s) or cat(s) in heat not adequately restrained or confined may be impounded.

Sec. 6-13. Urinating and defecating
No animal owner shall permit, either willfully or through failure to exercise due care and control, any animal to soil, defile, urinate or defecate on any private or public property, other than that of the owner, without expressed or implied consent. The owner of every animal shall be responsible for the removal of any solid excreta deposited by his or her animal(s) on public walks, recreation areas, or private property other than that of the owner.

Sec. 6-14. Noisy animals
It shall be a violation of this chapter for any animal owner to permit, either willfully or through failure to exercise due care and control, any animal to bark, cry, howl, whine, or cause other objectionable noises which create a nuisance to neighbors or in the vicinity; provided, however, that the provisions of this section shall not apply to dogs engaged in a hunt in authorized areas during authorized seasons.