Polk County Commissioners will hold a public hearing tonight at 7 p.m. to consider allowing the animal control officer to issue citations for violations of the county animal control ordinance.
Commissioners are considering citations after being asked by Polk County Sheriff Donald Hill last year to do so. Hill said the county has had an ordinance in place but has no way of enforcing the law.
The draft ordinance being considered includes four levels of offenses ranging from litter and odors, animals at large, property damage to animal bites, keeping dangerous animals, diseased animals, abandoning animals, cruelty to animals and keeping wild or exotic animals.
If approved, the countys animal control officer will be able to issue citations that range from $50 to $250 for a level I offense, $75 to $500 for a level II offense, $100 to $1,000 for a level III offense and $125 to $1,500 for a level IV offense. The fine will increase depending on the number of offenses.
Commissioners will consider adopting the ordinance following the public hearing.
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