Polk County addresses hoarding through its nuisance-numbers and animal-care provisions plus Florida's cruelty law. Keeping animals in numbers or conditions that harm their welfare or the neighborhood is prohibited, and neglect can be prosecuted under FS 828.12.
Polk County has no ordinance titled 'hoarding,' but combines several tools. County Code Chapter 4 makes it a public nuisance to keep animals 'in such manner or in such numbers' as to endanger public health, safety, or peace, and requires every owner to provide adequate food, water, shelter, and veterinary care. Animals kept in unsanitary conditions, allowed to accumulate waste, or denied care can be seized and impounded. Serious cases are referred for criminal prosecution under Florida's animal-cruelty statute, FS 828.12, which covers overcrowding, neglect, and failure to provide humane care. Animal Services and animal-cruelty investigators may inspect premises and remove animals when welfare is at risk.
County nuisance/neglect citations carry escalating civil fines and animal impoundment; egregious neglect is charged criminally under FS 828.12 as a misdemeanor or, for aggravated cruelty, a third-degree felony.
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