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Code board orders fines after repeated unleashed‑dog citations
Summary
The Town of Lake Clarke Shores Code Enforcement Board on May 27 found resident Michael R. Sargent failed to appeal or pay multiple citations for his dog being off‑leash and entered orders that fines must be paid within 15 days or the orders may be recorded as liens in Palm Beach County.
The Town of Lake Clarke Shores Code Enforcement Board on May 27 found that resident Michael R. Sargent failed to appeal or pay multiple civil citations tied to his dog being off a leash and ordered civil penalties payable within 15 days or subject to recording in Palm Beach County public records.
Code enforcement staff and officers described a series of contacts and citations dating to March 2026 for the dog being off‑leash in town streets and public areas. Staff said officers issued an initial citation on March 20 for the dog running loose; later incidents on April 9 were documented by on‑duty officers and residents reported ongoing problems. Staff told the board the citations were not appealed and the fines remain unpaid.
Patricia Keough, a board member who made the motions, read each finding into the record and moved that the board "finds the respondent to have neither appealed nor paid the civil penalty imposed by citation number 2026‑148" (and the other listed citations). Keough set 15 days for payment and said, as on the record, that "if the respondent fails to pay the civil penalty imposed by the citation ... a certified copy of this order may be recorded in the public records of Palm Beach County." The board voted on each motion by voice and the motions carried.
The board read the citation amounts into the record for each case: citation 2026‑148 ($75), 2026‑149 ($125), 2026‑155 ($250) and 2026‑158 ($500). The orders direct payment within 15 days of the order date; staff said failure to pay would allow the town to record the certified orders as liens in the county records.
The board and staff discussed whether further action — such as contacting animal control — was appropriate if the dog continues to be observed at large. Staff said Palm Beach County animal control can be contacted for animal‑control enforcement, and several residents had reported concern about the animal being loose in neighborhoods.
The board concluded the item after entering the orders and moved on to the next business.
