title
STRIKING OR INTERFERING WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT ANIMALS (B)
Ordinance No. 0-00-70
An ordinance of the City of Gainesville, Florida, creating a new section 17-11 related to striking or interfering with law enforcement animals, providing for penalties; providing directions to the codifier; providing for severability; providing a repealing clause; and providing an immediate effective date.
recommendation
City Commission adopt the proposed ordinance.
explanation
The City Commission at its meeting of June 12, 2000 requested the Clerk of the Commission to advertise and the City Attorney to draft an ordinance that would provide for enforcement of an individual who intentionally strikes or interferes with a Mounted Unit animal.
Current Florida State Statute does not allow for law enforcement to cite an individual who intentionally strikes or interferes with a Mounted Unit animal while the law enforcement animal is in the performance of its duties. There are provisions in State Statute that prohibit these actions for Police K-9's and ultimately, the police department will seek a language change through the next State legislative process for consideration. Until that time, a City ordinance would allow law enforcement officers the ability to cite for this offense.