ANIMAL CONTROL
270.2411

Animal Control Officer
D. Zagari

Dear Pet Owner:

The following is a recap of Animal Control Ordinances pertaining to the City of Neptune Beach. (Municipal Ordinances Sec.6)

Keeping of farm animals is prohibited within the city limits and horses are prohibited on the beach. The city is a bird sanctuary. It is unlawful to shoot, mistreat or abandon any animal. Animals are not allowed to become a nuisance by making excessive noise, fighting with other animals, being vicious to citizens and left to roam at large. Dog and cat bites must be reported to the Police Department within 24 hours. (270-2411).

Dogs must be on a leash not to exceed 12 feet in length and the leash must be held by the owner when off your property.

Every dog and cat over 4 months old must have a rabies vaccination every 12 months by a licensed veterinarian.

The rabies license must be affixed to the animal’s collar and worn AT ALL TIMES. In the event it escapes and is at large, the tag will help identify the animal.

If an animal is picked up by Animal Control, there is an impound fee and fee for food that must be paid in order to claim the animal.

Unclaimed animals will be transferred to the Jacksonville Animal Care & Protective Services (JACPS), Jacksonville, Florida. Applicable fines must be paid at the center to claim the animal. (904.630.2489)

Dog owner/handler must carry some sort of clean-up device to remove the animal’s feces from public or private property. Feces should then be deposited in a trash container.

Cats must be maintained on the owner’s property, not become a nuisance, stray onto other property or cause damage to property. Feral or stray cats will be trapped.

Dogs On The Beach

Dogs are prohibited to be on the beach with or without a leash from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., 7 days a week. During Daylight Saving Time, the hours are from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., 7 days a week.

Dogs are permitted on the beach secured with a leash held by owner/handler from 5 p.m. to 9 a.m., 7 days a week. During Daylight Saving Time, the hours are from 6 p.m. to 10 a.m., 7 days a week.

Violations of any of these ordinances will result in a citation with the applicable fine(s).

No person shall interfere with the Animal Control Officer in the enforcement of any ordinance.

Why A Leash Law?

Our community has grown far past the point at which dogs and cats can run loose without endangering or inconveniencing the public and their peace of mind.

Pets at large are often killed or severely injured by cars or they run into the streets and highways causing traffic accidents in which they and or the drivers are injured or killed.

Pets at large often attack and are attacked by feral (domestics gone wild) or naturally wild animals (raccoons, bats, etc.) which could possibly infect the pet with the rabies virus. This disease is highly contagious and always fatal unless the people have taken shots or the pet has been recently inoculated.

Pets at large often bite other pets that are in their own yard and often bite children playing or people on bicycles.

Pets at large are unlawful nuisances. They trespass on private yards depositing their "calling card", cause other dogs to start barking and chase vehicles, people, bicycles, etc.

Pets at large are often sickened or filled by toxic litter, debris, spoiled garbage and vehicle substances such as brake fluid and antifreeze, both toxic to animals.

An unleashed dog at large can easily run up to a leashed dog and cause a confrontation.

LAST but certainly not least by any means is that the loose dog can be dognapped. This is a big business in some cities. The larger the dog or more valuable it is, the greater the chances of it being stolen out of its own yard or from the street. Dogs are sold by the weight to experimental labs, sold to puppy mills, or just picked up by people who keep them. If the dog is spayed/neutered, oftentimes the dognapper doesn’t want it and will just dump it somewhere or dispose of it inhumanely.

Remember: Unleashed Is Unloved

If you value your dog or cat, keep it at home safe and sound. Put on its tags, leash it while off your property and be sure your fenced yard is secured. Be sure to clean up its feces promptly. It is the courteous and responsible thing to do.

For Your Information

Here are some brief recaps of "Duval County Beaches" laws concerning pet licenses, leash laws and beach access. For more information, changes or updates, contact the numbers listed below. Ordinances are subject to change by respective cities.

Neptune Beach - 270-2411
City Limits – Atlantic Boulevard to Seagate Avenue
Leashed or unleashed dogs prohibited on the beach 9a.m. – 5p.m., during Daylight Saving Time 10a.m.-6p.m.
Leashed dogs permitted 5p.m.-9a.m., during Daylight Saving Time 6p.m.-10a.m.with current rabies license.
Required: Current rabies license, leashed, held by owner/handler, and remove feces.

Atlantic Beach - 247-5866
City Limits – Hannah Park Borderline to Atlantic Boulevard
Leashed dogs are permitted on the beach 24 hours a day with current tag.
Required: Current rabies license, (residents and non-residents) leashed, held by owner/handler and remove feces.

Jacksonville Beach - 247-6195
City Limits – Seagate Avenue to St. Johns County Line
Leashed or unleashed dogs prohibited on beach 9a.m.-5p.m. year round.
Required: Current rabies license, city pet tag (if resident of the city), leashed, held by owner/handler, and remove feces. Cats are required to have city tags.

Some Cruel & Careless (but not unusual) Animal Acts

• Failure to spay or neuter
• Giving an animal to someone as surprise gift
• Letting an animal run at large
• Haphazard or accidental breeding
• Patronizing pet stores which use puppy mill pets
• Failure to properly license and identify pets
• Leaving pets unattended in a car, especially in warm weather
• Failure to provide vaccinations and medical care
• Buying exotic animals on a whim and without previous experience
• Leaving an unspayed female pet tied up outdoors in an unsecured yard
• Leaving a dog outdoors tied without proper shelter from sun, rain, cold and no water

(Above information from the American Society
 for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, 1989)

Problems with Stray Animals?

If you are a resident of Neptune Beach and have a problem with stray animals, you may contact the Animal Control Officer by calling 270.2411. The city has humane traps available to assist you with trapping cats. You may call during regular business hours, 9a.m. – 5p.m., seven (7) days a week to make a request for a city trap. Leave your name, address and telephone number with the duty dispatcher. The on-duty Animal Control Officer will contact you and advise you on the availability of traps. The Neptune Beach Animal Control does not trap wildlife. If you are having a problem with wildlife, please contact FWC or a licensed trapper. The Neptune Beach Animal Control does not pick up dead animals.