Manatee County addresses hoarding through its humane-care and cruelty provisions (Sec. 2-4-8, 2-4-9) and Florida Statute 828. Officers may impound neglected animals and issue citations up to $500, with state criminal charges for cruelty.
Manatee County has no ordinance using the word hoarding, but excessive animals kept in neglectful conditions are handled under the Animal Ordinance's humane-treatment (Sec. 2-4-8) and cruelty (Sec. 2-4-9) sections plus Chapter 828, Florida Statutes. FS 828.073 authorizes officers to take custody of any animal found neglected or cruelly treated, and FS 828.27 empowers the county to enact and enforce animal-control and cruelty rules with civil penalties up to $500. Animal Services Officers may investigate on public or private property, impound animals in unhealthy conditions, and refer aggravated cases for state criminal prosecution. Where large numbers of animals cause nuisance, the nuisance and boarding-facility provisions may also apply.
Civil infraction up to $500 (Sec. 2-4-25); animals may be impounded under FS 828.073. Aggravated cruelty is a state crime under FS 828.12 with misdemeanor or felony penalties.
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