Alachua County, FL Animal Ordinances: Breed Restrictions (2026)

Chapter 72 never mentions dog breed; classification runs entirely on incident-based behavior under Sections 72.14 (dangerous dog) and 72.15 (aggressive dog), consistent with Florida's statewide bar on breed-, weight- or size-specific local dog ordinances (F.S. §767.14). Under §72.14(a), Animal Resources investigates reported incidents "in accordance with the provisions of F.S. ch. 767, part II," interviewing the owner and requiring a sworn affidavit from anyone seeking a dangerous-dog classification; a dog involved in an incident causing severe human injury may be immediately confiscated and quarantined pending the investigation and any appeals, while lesser cases can instead be shelter-in-place confined under a written agreement.

A dog cannot be declared dangerous if the injured person was unlawfully on the property or provoking the dog, or if the dog was defending someone from an unjustified attack (§72.14(b)). Once a classification becomes final, the owner has 14 calendar days to obtain an annually-renewed certificate of registration from Animal Resources, showing current rabies vaccination, a proper enclosure, warning signage posted at every entry point, permanent identification by tattoo or microchip, surgical sterilization (unless a veterinarian certifies it would be injurious), proof of ownership or permission to keep the dog on the property, and liability insurance of at least $500,000.00 aggregate / $250,000.00 per incident (§72.14(e)(1)a.1-7).

Outside its enclosure the dog must be muzzled and leashed under a competent handler (§72.14(e)(1)c), and the owner must immediately report if it gets loose, bites, is sold, or moves. If requirements aren't met within 14 days and no appeal is pending, "the dog will become the property of the county" (§72.14(e)(3)). Section 72.15 runs a parallel, somewhat lighter track for "aggressive" dogs, requiring rabies proof, enclosure, signage, microchip ID and sterilization within the same 14-day window, with the same forfeiture consequence for noncompliance. Both classifications carry a right to a hearing under §72.16, filed within 7 calendar days of notice, with a hearing held 5-21 days later and appeal to circuit court within 10 business days.