Dogs and Cats At Large

Question:
My neighbor's pets are always on my property. I don't own any animals, and don't want my neighbor's pets on my property. Will the Hillsborough County animal ordinance protect me and my property?

Answer:
Excluding public right-of-way on an owner's private property, no dog or cat shall be allowed to stray, run or go, at large upon any public property or street, sidewalk, park, or on the private property of another without the consent of the property owner. Any cat routinely outdoors while not under direct control must be sterilized. This will better protect the private property rights of our citizens who do not want dogs or cats on their property. It will help reduce problems that can result from outdoor pet cats indiscriminately breeding. It will also likely result, over time, in a higher percentage of pet cats being kept indoors; thereby reducing the health and safety risks to which outdoor cats are exposed.

VIOLATIONS: Dogs and cats at large as prohibited by Section 10.

FIRST OFFENSE - $100 Fine

SECOND OFFENSE - $200 Fine

THIRD OFFENSE - Mandatory Court Appearance

To report a violation call Animal Services 813-744-5660.


SECTION 10. CONFINEMENT TO PROPERTY; DOGS AND CATS AT LARGE; EXCEPTIONS

Excluding public right-of-way on an owner's private property, no DOG or CAT shall be allowed to stray, run or go, AT LARGE upon any public property or street, sidewalk, park, or on the private property of another without the consent of the property owner.
Any CAT that is outdoors while not under DIRECT CONTROL must be STERILIZED.
Any DOG or CAT that is on private property without the consent of the property owner or resident may be captured in a humane trap or otherwise HUMANELY confined. PERSONS capturing AT LARGE DOGS or CATS will be responsible for the humane care of the ANIMAL until the captured ANIMAL is turned over to the DEPARTMENT, other humane organization, or licensed wildlife trapper. A PERSON shall not entice a DOG or CAT to become AT LARGE for the purpose of trapping or apprehending when that DOG or CAT would otherwise not be AT LARGE.
No PERSON shall under any circumstance TETHER or otherwise CONFINE any ANIMAL in a manner that is injurious to its health. In order for a dog or cat to be allowed on a public street, road, park or other public property, excluding public right-of-way on an owner's private property or unless otherwise specifically permitted, the dog or cat shall be under the direct control of the owner or keeper, except while hunting pursuant to permit or during a legitimate obedience demonstration, show, trial, training exercise, competition, show and/or match or educational program, so long as proper precautions are taken by the owner of the dog and/or sponsor of the event to insure the safety and protection of both the public and other animals