588.01 Requirements of general fence.—All fences or enclosures of land shall be substantially constructed, whether with rails, logs, post and railing, iron, steel, or other material, and not less than 5 feet high; to the extent of 2 feet from the ground there shall not be a space between the material used in the construction of […]
588.011 Legal fence; requirements.— (1) Any fence or enclosure at least 3 feet in height made of barbed or other soft wire consisting of not less than three strands of wire stretched securely on posts, trees, or other supports, standing not more than 20 feet apart; or when using battens, up to 60 feet apart for nonelectric […]
588.09 Legally enclosed land; fenced and posted.— (1) Land shall be legally enclosed land, or posted land, when enclosed by a legal fence, and when there shall be placed along the boundary of said land in the manner herein provided posted notices to the public; provided that it shall not be necessary to erect any fence along […]
588.10 Posted notices; requirement.—Posted notices to the public as required by s. 588.09 shall be signs upon which there shall appear prominently, in letters of not less than 2 inches in height, the word “posted,” and in addition thereto there shall appear the name of the owner, lessee, or occupant of said land. Said posted notices […]
588.11 Owner to maintain fences and notices.—The owner of legally enclosed land shall maintain in reasonable good condition the fence or enclosure around such land and shall maintain in legible condition any and all posted notices as required by ss. 588.09, 588.10, but a substantial or reasonably effective compliance with the provisions of ss. 588.011, 588.09, […]
588.12 Livestock at large; legislative findings.—There is hereby found and declared a necessity for a statewide livestock law embracing all lands of the state and necessity that its application be uniform throughout the state, except as hereinafter provided. History.—s. 1, ch. 25236, 1949; s. 30, ch. 99-391.
588.13 Definitions.—In construing ss. 588.12-588.25 the following words, phrases, or terms shall be held to mean: (1) “Livestock” shall include all animals of the equine, bovine, or swine class, including goats, sheep, mules, horses, hogs, cattle, ostriches, and other grazing animals. (2) “Owner” shall include any person, association, firm, or corporation, natural or artificial, owning or having custody […]
588.15 Liability of owner.—Every owner of livestock who intentionally, willfully, carelessly, or negligently suffers or permits such livestock to run at large upon or stray upon the public roads of this state shall be liable in damages for all injury and property damage sustained by any person by reason thereof. History.—s. 4, ch. 25236, 1949.
588.16 Authority to impound livestock running at large or strays.—It shall be the duty of the sheriff or her or his deputies or designees, or any other law enforcement officer of the county, the county animal control center, or state highway patrol officers, where livestock is found to be running at large or straying, to take […]
588.17 Disposition of impounded livestock.— (1) Upon the impounding of any livestock by the sheriff or his or her deputies or designees, or any other law enforcement officers of the county, the county animal control center, or state highway patrol officers, the sheriff shall forthwith serve written notice upon the owner, advising such owner of the location […]
588.18 Livestock at large; fees.—The fees allowed for impounding, serving notice, care and feeding, advertising, and disposing of impounded animals shall be determined by the sheriff or the county animal control center of each county. Damages done by the sheriff or the county animal control center in pursuit or in the capture, handling, or care of […]
588.19 Failure to secure purchaser or insufficient funds to defray certain costs.—If there be no bidder for such livestock at the sale aforesaid, and the sheriff has been unable to locate the owner through the notice procedures described in this chapter, the sheriff shall sell the livestock at the nearest livestock auction yard. The proceeds from […]
588.20 Report of sale and disposition of proceeds.— (1) The sheriff, upon making a sale or other disposal as herein provided, shall forthwith make a written return thereof to the clerk of the circuit court of such county, with a full and accurate description of the livestock sold or disposed of by her or him, to whom, […]
588.21 Duty of commissioners to provide places for impounding of livestock and transportation of same.—The county commissioners of the several counties of Florida shall establish and maintain pounds or suitable places for the keeping of any livestock taken up and impounded hereunder until the same shall be sold, redeemed, or otherwise disposed of, which pounds or […]
588.22 Duty of impounder.—The sheriff or county animal control center, whichever is designated by the board of county commissioners, shall provide feed for the impounded animals and see that such livestock shall have feed and water not less than twice a day and that all milk cows and milk goats are milked twice a day. The […]
588.23 Right of owner.—The owner of any impounded livestock has the right at any time before the disposition thereof to redeem the livestock by paying to the sheriff or the county animal control center all impounding expenses, including fees, keeping charges, advertising, or other costs incurred therewith which sum shall be deposited by the sheriff or […]
588.24 Penalty.—Any owner of livestock who unlawfully, intentionally, knowingly or negligently permits the same to run at large or stray upon the public roads of this state or any person who shall release livestock, after being impounded, without authority of the impounder, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor of the second degree, punishable as provided in […]
588.25 Application; limitation.—The provisions of ss. 588.12-588.25 shall not apply to counties having special laws or general laws of local application requiring the confinement and restraint of livestock; provided, however, where the provisions of such special laws or general laws of local application do not prohibit livestock from running upon or straying upon the public highways, […]
