Sec. 4-26(a) of the Winter Haven Code requires that all dogs be kept under restraint within city limits. Sec. 4-26(c) requires that vicious animals be confined within a building or secure enclosure and securely muzzled or caged whenever off the owner's premises.
Chapter 4 (Animals) of the Winter Haven Code defines "under restraint" as control by leash, fence, or other physical means at all times when off the owner's property. Polk County Sheriff's Office Animal Services (863-577-1762) responds to at-large dog calls within Winter Haven; the City does not operate its own animal shelter. Dangerous dog determinations follow Florida Statute §767.11 - a separate process from Sec. 4-26 that requires injury or sustained aggression. Polk County also issues dog-licensing tags; rabies vaccination is required for all dogs and cats over four months under FS §828.30.
First-offense restraint citations are typically warnings + impound fees from Polk County Animal Services; repeat at-large violations escalate under Ch. 1 (Sec. 1-13 general penalty) with fines up to $500 and possible municipal court action. Vicious-animal violations of Sec. 4-26(c) can be charged as a second-degree misdemeanor under FS Ch. 767.
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