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

In unincorporated Columbia County, the animal control article splits repeat problem behavior into two tiers. Code § 18-73 defines an aggressive dog as one that, per the appropriate authority's records, exhibits or has exhibited attacking, biting at, snarling, or circling a victim with teeth shown, attacking vehicles or property, or acting with a pack mentality where any dog in a group has done the same; a hunting dog lawfully on property with the owner's consent, or a dog under a law enforcement agency's control, is excluded, and no actual injury is required to trigger the classification.

Code § 18-75.1 authorizes an animal control officer to impound an aggressive dog, and if the owner is not known or does not claim it within three working days (or seven days after written notice), the dog goes to the animal control services provider for adoption or humane disposition; on a third qualifying offense, the special magistrate must approve the dog's return. Code § 18-76 handles the more serious 'dangerous dog' category by adopting Florida Statutes §§ 767.10-767.15 wholesale, with hearings held before the county's special magistrate instead of the state process.

Under the fine schedule at Code § 18-90(a)(9), a first aggressive-dog offense draws no fine, a second offense within 12 months costs $150.00, and a third offense within 12 months costs $500.00 plus impoundment pending a hearing.