Where can I view the full online version of the Orange County Code?
How do I report a case of animal cruelty?
Citizens can anonymously report suspected animal cruelty or dogfighting by calling Crimeline at (800) 423-TIPS or visiting www.crimeline.org. The reporter may be eligible for a cash reward of up to $1,000. Callers may also report directly to Animal Services by dialing 3-1-1 and requesting to remain anonymous.
How do I report a dog or cat bite, an aggressive animal in my neighborhood, an injured animal, a deceased animal on the roadway or other domestic animal issues?
Please call (407) 836-3111 or dial 3-1-1 to report any type of domestic animal-related issue in Orange County.
How long will it take an officer to respond to my call or complaint?
All calls are answered on a priority system. For example, animal bites, injured animals and aggressive animals are high priority and are attended to first. OCAS makes every effort to triage calls and respond to them in accordance with their impact on public safety.
Can I bring my animal to the responsible pet ownership class?
No, the class is a first step in the educational process of responsible pet ownership and is directed toward the pet owner or keeper.
I received a citation. What should I do?
Either pay the citation penalty or contest the citation in court. Payments should be made through the Orange County Clerk of the Court within 14 calendar days after issuance of the citation. If it is elected to contest the citation, the owner must appear at the Orange County Clerk of the Court on the date assigned in the citation for an arraignment hearing by a County court judge.
If the owner fails to pay the civil penalty within the time allowed or fails to appear in court to contest the citation, the owner shall be deemed to have waived their right to contest the citation. Judgment may be entered against the owner for an amount up to the maximum civil penalty. A four-hour mandatory Responsible Pet Ownership class may also apply under several circumstances. For more information, please call (407) 836-3111 or dial 3-1-1.
I received a nuisance letter or nuisance official notice and I want to dispute it (in reference to a loose dog, barking dog, nuisance cat being an unwelcome guest on property, defecating on property, or property damage). What should I do?
Please mail in a rebuttal letter to Orange County Animal Services. Another option is to call Citizens Dispute Settlement at (407) 423-5732.
I received an official notice from an officer requesting rabies information for my animal. What should I do?
Fax a copy of the rabies vaccination certificate signed by the animal’s veterinarian to (407) 355-5750.
I have a raccoon or opossum in my yard. How do I get it removed?
Opossums, raccoons and other wildlife are natural inhabitants of Florida’s landscape; it is not unusual to see them in yards. For nuisance wildlife it is the property owner’s responsibility to contact a private trapper.
What should I do if I have a nuisance cat in my yard?
If the cat owner is known, please file a report with Orange County Animal Services.
If the cat owner is unknown, Orange County Animal Services’ offers trap rentals for a $5 daily fee. The initial 5-day rental fee of $25 is required up front. The remainder of the rental can be paid when the trap is returned. A refund will be issued for unused days.
To start the process, please call (407) 836-3111. Once the trapping packet is received in the mail, please complete the citizen’s complaint form and fax it to the Trapping Coordinator at (407) 355-5749 for approval. A permit number and approved dates will be issued.
If the animal is sick, injured, or poses a public health threat, Animal Services will respond. Please call (407) 836-3111 or dial 3-1-1.
What should I do if my neighbor is feeding cats but not claiming ownership?
Provide the individual’s information to 311 Customer Service by calling (407) 836-3111. An officer will investigate the report to see if the individual is claiming ownership. If he or she is not claiming ownership, Orange County will allow private citizens to trap the cats. Trap rental fees apply.