If You Find a Sick or Injured Bird

Feeding Wildlife

Since Lake County has well over 1,000 lakes, it is not uncommon to encounter alligators. Although most Floridians have learned to cohabitat with these reptiles, 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 FWCC at 352-732-1225.

Visitors and residents should realize that alligators are a significant part of Florida 's heritage and that they play an important role in the ecology of Florida 's wetlands. An understanding of alligator habits will ensure that humans and alligators continue their long term coexistence.

Alligators are not pets!
Please treat them with care!

If you are bitten by any warm blooded animal contact Leesburg Animal Control or The Leesburg Police Dept (787-2121) 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.

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.

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

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.

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.