DELTONA, Fla. – Abandoning a dog or other animal in Deltona could soon come with significantly steeper financial penalties.
The Deltona City Commission is scheduled to hold a second reading Monday on a proposed ordinance that would increase fines for violations involving animal abandonment and strengthen the city’s local animal-control rules.
Recommended Videos
Under the proposed penalty structure, fines could reach:
- $2,500 for a first violation
- $5,000 for a second violation
- $7,500 for a third or subsequent violation
The proposed changes would apply to more than just dogs. The ordinance covers animal abandonment generally, meaning the tougher penalties could apply to the abandonment of any animal covered under the city’s code.
State law opened the door for higher local fines
The local changes follow Florida House Bill 559, which increased the maximum penalties that municipalities and counties can impose for certain violations of local animal-control and cruelty ordinances.
Previously, local penalties were capped at $500. The new law allows significantly higher fines, giving cities such as Deltona the ability to update their local ordinances and adopt stronger penalty structures.
The state law also includes additional animal-protection provisions, including new penalties involving animal fighting and requirements involving juveniles convicted of animal abuse.
Deltona’s proposed ordinance would bring the city’s code in line with the higher penalties now authorized under state law.
City ordinance calls abandonment a threat to animals and public safety
The proposed ordinance describes animal abandonment as a serious threat to animal welfare and says it can also create public health and safety concerns.
Abandoned animals can face injury, starvation, disease and other dangers. They can also create safety concerns for the community.
For Deltona dog owner Paul Howard, the issue is personal.
Howard owns two rescue dogs and said both had difficult beginnings.
“Well, they’re both rescues. The pit bull over there, I believe the person that had him was trying to use him as a bait dog. So we got a hold of him before anything happened. This one was locked up in a cage for the first year of her life.”
Howard supports stronger consequences for people who abandon or abuse animals.
“It’s a start. Personally, I’ve always had the opinion that if someone abuses an animal, they deserve the same treatment.”
When asked whether he considers abandonment comparable to abuse, Howard said, “Yes.”
Dog owners support tougher penalties
Beatrice Moser, another Deltona dog owner, said she supports holding people accountable for abandoning animals.
“Yes, I totally agree. I would sign it. Because my dog is precious to me, and somebody that abandons pets — any pets — should be accountable.”
Moser said she believes there may also be alternatives for owners who can no longer care for their animals.
She suggested people could reach out to others in the community before abandoning a pet.
“You can come to a park and talk with people. Over here we have two people already lost their dogs to illness. They might adopt them.”
Questions remain about enforcement
While the proposed ordinance outlines significantly higher potential fines, questions remain about how the city would enforce the new rules and identify people responsible for abandoning animals.
The City of Deltona has been asked how enforcement would work under the proposed ordinance.
The ordinance is scheduled for its second reading Monday. If approved, Deltona would join other local governments updating their animal-control rules to reflect the stronger penalties now allowed under Florida law.