§ 462.205. Dog fighting and other animal fighting.

(a)

In addition to penalties prescribed by F.S. § 828.122, any animal baited, bred, trained, transported, sold, owned, possessed or used for animal fighting or baiting shall be subject to seizure pursuant to Section 462.210, Ordinance Code. For purposes of this Section, "baiting" shall mean to have two or more animals in close proximity while restrained to simulate a fight or exhibit aggression superiority, to attack with violence, to provoke or to harass an animal with one or more animals for the purpose of training an animal for, or to cause an animal to engage in, fights with or among other animals. "Baiting" also means the use of live animals in the training of racing greyhounds.

(b)

Exemptions allowed:

(1)

"Baiting" does not include two dogs engaged in conformation trials during the judging of a sanctioned breed exhibition or contest that is properly noticed to ACPS at least two weeks in advance of the event and open to ACPS officers for observation of the event.

(2)

"Animal fighting" and "Baiting" do not include traditional and lawful hunting practices, field trials or performance events, or the training for such events.

(c)

Possession of the paraphernalia associated with animal fighting, including but not limited to gamecock gloves, spurs, long blades, short blades, break stick, breeding or 'rape stand', spring pole, cat mill, and similar devices known to be associated with animal fighting and conditioning for fighting, shall be considered a violation of this Section. In determining a violation, the context of the scene and items shall be evaluated; however each individual item shall be considered a separate violation.

(d)

A violation of this Section shall subject the violator to a civil fine of $500.

(Ord. 2004-259-E, § 1; Ord. 2010-527-E, § 3)