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Sheriff’s office urges updated county rules on livestock containment; board asks staff for ordinance options
Summary
Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Homeland Security Agricultural Crimes unit presented photos and data showing rising calls for loose livestock, argued the 1949 state fence statute is insufficient, and asked the county to adopt a containment‑focused ordinance; commissioners directed staff to work with the sheriff and return recommended code changes.
Master Deputy Eric Johnson, who leads the Sheriff’s Office Agricultural Crimes Unit, told commissioners the state fencing statute written in 1949 — which references three strands of wire and very low heights — no longer ensures public safety or animal containment. Johnson presented photographs and county call data showing 1,165 loose‑livestock or similar calls in 2024 and mapped hotspots where repeat offenders pose traffic and safety risks.
“Containment is the point,” Johnson said. He proposed a county ordinance that would make it unlawful for livestock to run at large, emphasize education and progressive enforcement (warnings, then fines) and prioritize outreach and remediation for owners — including offering fence posts and barbed wire and working with agricultural stakeholders. The Sheriff’s Office said repeat customers who repeatedly let animals escape are the primary enforcement target.
Commissioner Christine Miller moved and Commissioner Harry Cohen seconded a motion directing staff to work with HCSO to evaluate potential ordinance or code changes related to containment and enforcement, and to return recommendations for board consideration. Commissioners asked staff to consult the county’s Agricultural Development Council, cattlemen’s groups and legal counsel to balance enforcement, property rights and reasonable grace for storm or natural‑event damage.
The board voted unanimously to direct staff to work with the Sheriff’s Office and return recommended ordinance options.
