SECTION 20. RESTRICTIONS ON COMMERCIALLY SUPPLIED GUARD DOGS; ADDITIONAL MINIMAL PERMIT REQUIREMENTS; INABILITY TO USE DANGEROUS DOG; REQUIREMENTS OF USERS

1. Every guard dog business operating in the county must comply with the following additional requirements:
   1. The guard dog business must have each guard dog examined by a veterinarian on at least an annual basis and certified to be healthy, normal and free from intestinal parasites and in his or her best judgment physically fit for service as a guard dog. Said proof shall be provided to the department upon request.
   2. Newly acquired guard dogs must be properly vaccinated, tagged, and registered with the department within 30 calendar days of acquisition.
   3. All guard dogs must be microchipped or tattooed.
      1. Each guard dog must be tattooed or microchipped and will be assigned a registration number from the department. All tattoos must be unique and clearly visible and placed on the inside right thigh, with each letter and number at least one-half (2) inch in height.
      2. Any guard dog registered with the American Kennel Club or similar organization, may have the tattoo placed in its ear.
      3. A guard dog already displaying a tattoo need not obtain an additional tattoo if the existing tattoo is unique and identifiable, identifies the guard dog, and the number is registered with the department.
   4. The department must be provided the following additional information for each guard dog:
      1. The name, address, day time telephone number, and after hours telephone number of the individual responsible for managing the guard dog business and the individual responsible for training and/or caring for the guard dogs must be provided to the department;
      2. The breed, sex, weight, age, color, tattoo and/or microchip registration number;
      3. A color photograph; and
      4. A description of any distinguishing physical features.
   5. The following information must be maintained and made immediately available to the department upon request:
      1. The name, address and telephone number of each client procuring the use of a guard dog and the physical location of the guard dog, if different than the client's address;
      2. The name, address and telephone number of the individual responsible for providing food, water, shelter and exercise for the guard dog; and
      3. For each guard dog, any veterinary program of preventative medical care and any prescribed treatment certified by a licensed veterinarian.
   6. In the event that a guard dog is transferred to another owner, allegedly bites or attacks a human being or another animal, dies, or disappears, the guard dog business must immediately notify the department in a writing containing, at a minimum, the applicable tattoo or microchip identification, the tag information, the date and time of the occurrence, the new owner's name, mailing address and residence address, if ownership has been transferred, and the last known whereabouts of the guard dog, in the event of disappearance.
   7. Any vehicle used to transport guard dogs pursuant to a person's business must be clearly marked to show that it is transporting guard dogs, and must be maintained and arranged to ensure maximum ventilation and protection for the animals.
2. Any dog previously classified by the department as a dangerous dog in accordance with the provisions of this Ordinance and applicable Florida law, shall be ineligible to serve as a guard dog.
3. REQUIREMENTS OF PERSONS USING GUARD DOGS
   1. Any person who hires or uses a guard dog must provide proper fencing or a secure enclosure sufficient to keep the guard dog from digging or jumping out and which must contain proper shelter and protection from the elements. If the guard dog is confined to an area that does not allow for sufficient exercise, the guard dog must be provided with minimum daily exercise consisting of either 30 minutes of leash activity or 15 minutes of free activity, unless a veterinarian issues a written medical exception.
   2. At each appropriate location and entry point, and at each 50 foot interval along the fence perimeter, a sign must be posted that includes the words "DANGER - GUARD DOG" or words of similar meaning and warning.
   3. Each entry point must have a sign posted with the telephone number of the guard dog's trainer or handler and/or owner in case of an emergency.
      

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