Ocala, FL Animal Ordinances: Bird Protection (2026)

Section 46-214, titled "Protection and preservation of wildlife; abandoning or leaving animals in parks," carries two subsections in Chapter 46's Article IV park conduct rules. Subsection (a) prohibits any person from molesting, harming, frightening, killing, netting, trapping, snaring, hunting, chasing, shooting, or throwing or propelling missiles by any means at any wildlife creature, whether animal, bird, or reptile, roaming free about a park. Subsection (b) separately bars placing, dumping, abandoning, or leaving any animal, reptile, or bird, wild or domestic, on the grounds of any park, addressing people who release pets or unwanted animals on park property rather than take them to a shelter.

A cross-reference points to Chapter 14, Animal Control, which adopts the Marion County animal control code by reference for the city's broader animal rules, but § 46-214 itself is a standalone park-specific wildlife protection provision printed in the city's own code. Enforcement runs through police department officers and recreation and parks employees under § 46-3, which makes it unlawful to do any act chapter 46 forbids. Because § 46-214 carries no specific fine, a violation is punishable under the citywide general penalty at § 1-9: a fine up to $500.00, imprisonment up to 60 days, or both, with each continuing day of violation treated as a separate offense.