Florida law prohibits feeding alligators, bears, sandhill cranes, and foxes under FL §379.412 and FWC rules. Pasco County enforces state wildlife feeding bans; intentional feeding of alligators is a 2nd degree misdemeanor.
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) rule 68A-4.001 and FL §379.412 prohibit intentionally feeding or attracting wild American alligators, bears, sandhill cranes, foxes, and raccoons. Pasco County's abundant freshwater wetlands, golf course lakes, and coastal waterways host resident alligator populations; feeding habituates them and has led to serious attacks in Tampa Bay. Bear activity is lower in Pasco than north Florida but documented in the Green Swamp area bordering Polk and Hernando counties; unsecured trash, pet food, and bird seed can constitute 'attracting' wildlife. Sandhill cranes nest seasonally across Land O' Lakes, Wesley Chapel, and Zephyrhills golf communities and are protected. Pasco Animal Services responds to nuisance wildlife complaints alongside FWC. Feral cat TNR (trap-neuter-return) programs operate lawfully. Feeding stray dogs or cats may trigger county nuisance rules if it creates a colony or attracts other wildlife.
Feeding alligators: 2nd degree misdemeanor ($500 fine, up to 60 days jail). FWC citations for bear/crane feeding $100+. Repeat or willful violations may be 1st degree misdemeanor. Civil code liens possible for nuisance.
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See how Pasco County's wildlife feeding rules stack up against other locations.
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