HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity of Tamarac Resolution R-2008-017Temp. Reso. 11362
February 12, 2008
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CITY OF TAMARAC, FLORIDA
RESOLUTION NO. R2008 4
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF TAMARAC,
FLORIDA, SUPPORTING HOUSE BILL 101, PERTAINING TO THE
REGULATION OF SPECIFIC BREEDS OF DOGS; URGING MUNICIPALITIES
THROUGHOUT BROWARD COUNTY AND THE STATE OF FLORIDA TO
SUPPORT HOUSE BILL 101; URGING GREATER EFFORTS TO EDUCATE THE
GENERAL PUBLIC ABOUT THE DANGERS OF VICIOUS DOGS;
RECOGNIZING THE EFFORTS OF THE TAMARAC DIVISION OF THE
BROWARD SHERIFF'S OFFICE TO ENFORCE THE CITY'S CODE OF
ORDINANCES AS IT RELATES TO PIT BULLS AND FURTHER URGING AN
ENHANCED ENFORCEMENT OF THE CODE WITH REGARDS TO THE
REGISTRATION AND INSURANCE REQUIREMENTS FOR SUCH DANGEROUS
ANIMALS; DIRECTING THE CITY CLERK TO TRANSMIT A COPY OF THIS
RESOLUTION TO THE GOVERNOR, THE BROWARD LEGISLATIVE
DELEGATION AND OTHER MEMBERS OF THE FLORIDA LEGISLATURE, AS
WELL AS ALL MUNICIPALITIES LOCATED WITHIN BROWARD COUNTY AND
THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS FOR BROWARD COUNTY;
PROVIDING FOR CONFLICTS; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; AND
PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
WHEREAS, Broward County, including the City of Tamarac, Florida
(hereinafter referred to as the "City"), has recently faced an increase in the number
of attacks by vicious dogs; and
WHEREAS, a significant number of these attacks have resulted in the
death of the victims; and
WHEREAS, Section 767.14, Florida Statutes, expressly prevents local
governments, including municipalities, from regulating against specific breeds of
dogs; and
WHEREAS, Chapter 4, Article II of the City's Code of Ordinances, adopted
in 1975 prior to the ban on breed -specific regulations, provides specific regulations
for pit bulls, including certain registration and insurance requirements; and
Temp. Reso. 11362
February 12, 2008
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WHEREAS, the City is one of a small number of municipalities in Broward
County with breed -specific regulations its Code; and
WHEREAS, on September 4, 2007, Representative Perry Thurston filed
House Bill 101 (hereinafter referred to as "HB101"), proposing to lift the ban on the
prohibition of breed -specific regulations; and
WHEREAS, as of October 16, 2007, HB101 was being reviewed by the
Agribusiness Committee after a referral from the Environment and Natural
Resources Council; and
WHEREAS, in 2001 a similar bill was considered by the House of
Representatives, however it failed to gamer enough support to be adopted; and
WHEREAS, while the recent increase in high -profile dog attacks has
resulted in a heightened awareness of the dangers such animals pose, there is still
a great need to educate the general public about the dangers of vicious dogs; and
WHEREAS, the Tamarac Division of the Broward Sheriffs Office has been
vigilant in enforcing the relevant provisions of the City Code, pertaining to pit bulls in
particular; and
WHEREAS, in light of the recent increase in vicious dog attacks, there is a
greater need for enhanced enforcement of the City Code, particularly with regards
to the pit bull registration and insurance requirements; and
WHEREAS, the City Commission of the City of Tamarac, Florida deems it to
be in the best interests of the citizens and residents of the City and Broward County
to support HB101, proposing to lift the ban on breed -specific regulations; and
further urges greater education of the general public about the dangers of vicious
Temp. Reso. 11362
February 12, 2008
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dogs as well as the Broward Sheriffs Office's enhanced enforcement of the
relevant provisions of the City Code.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COMMISSION OF
THE CITY OF TAMARAC, FLORIDA THAT:
Section 1. The foregoing "WHEREAS" clauses are hereby ratified and
confirmed as being true and correct and are hereby made a specific part of this
Resolution.
Section 2. The City Commission of the City of Tamarac, Florida hereby
supports HB101, proposing to lift the statutory ban on breed -specific regulations,
and urges all municipalities in Broward County to join in this support. The City
Commission hereby further acknowledges the need for greater education of the
general public about the dangers of vicious dogs and directs the City Administration
to pursue such educational opportunities.
Section 3. The City Commission hereby recognizes the efforts of the
Tamarac Division of the Broward Sheriffs Office in enforcing the relevant provisions
of the City's Code of Ordinances, and further urges an enhanced enforcement effort
on the part of the Broward Sheriffs Office with regards to certain registration and
insurance requirements for pit bulls as set forth in the City Code.
Section 4. The City Clerk is hereby directed to provide a certified copy of
this Resolution to the Governor of the State of Florida, the Broward County
Legislative Delegation and other members of the Florida Legislature, and all
municipalities in Broward County, and the Board of County Commissioners for
Broward County.
Temp. Reso. 11362
February 12, 2008
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Section 5. All resolutions or parts of resolutions on in conflict herewith be,
and the same are hereby repealed to the extent of such conflict.
Section 6. If any clause, section, other part or application of this
Resolution is held by any court of competent jurisdiction to be unconstitutional or
invalid, in part or application, it shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions
or applications of this Resolution.
Section 7. This Resolution shall become effective immediately upon its
passage and adoption.
PASSED AND ADOPTED BY THE CITY CO MISSION OF THE CITY OF
TAMARAC, FLORIDA THIS -d-- DAY OF , 2008.
ATTEST:
MARION SW NSON, CMC
CITY CLERK
I HEREBY CERTIFY that
I have approved this
RESOLUTION as to form.
S MUEL S. GOREN
f)CITY ATTORNEY
CITY OF TAMARAC, FLORID
Beth Flansbaum-Talabisco, Vayor
RECORD OF COMMISSION VOTE:
MAYOR FLANSBAUM-TALABISCO ,a
DIST 1: V/M PORTNER 0
DIST 2: COMM ATKINS-GRA!q�)�
DIST 3: COMM. SULTANOF
DIST 4: COMM. DRESSLER
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