Osceola adopts ordinance requiring immediate removal of animal waste; fines set

The Osceola City Council approved Ordinance 701, adding Section 55.24 to the city code to require prompt removal and sanitary disposal of animal excrement deposited on city property, public rights-of-way or private property not controlled by the animal's owner. The motion for the second reading was made by George Fotiadis and seconded by Dan Hooper; the council waived the third reading and carried the ordinance on unanimous roll call.

Ordinance 701 sets standards: owners, possessors or persons in charge of animals must "cleanup or remove immediately any excrement or droppings deposited by such animal on any City owned property, public right-of-way, or private property not owned or in control of that owner, possessor or person in charge of such animal." The ordinance requires disposal in a sealed bag or suitable container placed in a lawful refuse receptacle and requires persons walking animals on public property to carry a bag, scoop or other device. Exceptions include police or service animals actively performing duties and a person with a disability who is physically unable to comply provided another responsible person removes the waste within a reasonable time. The ordinance sets fines: $50 for first violations, $100 for second and $150 for subsequent violations. The minutes do not record subsequent enforcement actions; the Police Department was noted present at the meeting.