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1 RESOLUTION NO. ___ _
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3 A . Resolution of the City of South Miami encouraging stricter enforcement of
4 Miami-Dade County Ordinance, Section 5-4, regarding cruelty to animals, to
5 address abandonment of animals in the Everglades.
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7 WHEREAS, since 2010, thousands of animals -mainly dogs and cats -have been
8 abandoned and left to die in a remote part ofthe Everglades; and
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10 WHEREAS, irresponsible owners who are unable or unwilling to continue caring for their
11 pet simply pull over to the side of the road, open the door, and shove out the unwanted animal; and
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13 WHEREAS, some dogs wait faithfully at that spot, sure their family will be back to get
14 them, others are hit by cars, and some simply starve to death; and
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16 WHEREAS, it is illegal in Florida to abandon an animal, pursuant to Section 828.13 of the
17 Florida Statutes; and
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19 WHEREAS, Section 5-4 (6) of the Miami-Dade County Code of Ordinances ("Cruelty to
20 Animals Ordinance") states that it shall be unlawful:
21 "For a responsible party to abandon an animal in a street or other public place, or to abandon
22 an animal ifit is maimed, infirm, or diseased. For purposes of this section, "abandon" means
23 to forsake an animal for which one is responsible without providing for its care, necessary
24 sustenance, protection, and shelter."; and
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26 WHEREAS, this type of cruelty is unacceptable, and it is time for Miami-Dade County to
27 acknowledge the animal dumping epidemic and take steps to curb this practice through stricter
28 enforcement of its Cruelty to Animals Ordinance.
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30 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE MAYOR AND CITY
31 COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF SOUTH MIAMI, FLORIDA:
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33 Section 1. The City of South Miami hereby encourages Miami-Dade County to curb
34 abandonment of animals in the Everglades by stricter enforcement of Section 5-4 (6), Miami-Dade
35 County Code of Ordinances.
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37 Section 2. The City Commission does further direct the City Clerk to send a copy of this
38 Resolution to the Mayor of Miami-Dade County, Carlos A. Gimenez.
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40 Section 3. Severability. If any section clause, sentence, or phrase of this resolution is for
41 any reason held invalid or unconstitutional by a court of competent jurisdiction, the holding shall
42 not affect the validity of the remaining portions of this Resolution.
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44 Section 4. Effective Date. This Resolution shall be effective immediately upon adoption.
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PASSED AND ADOPTED this ~~~~_day of~_~~ __ 2016.
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ATTEST:
CITY CLERK
READ AND APPROVED AS TO FORM,
LANGUAGE, LEGALITY AND
EXECUTION THEREOF
CITY ATTORNEY
,
APPROVED:
MAYOR
COMMISSION VOTE:
Mayor Stoddard:
Vice Mayor Harris:
Commissioner Edmond:
Commissioner Liebman:
Commissioner Welsh: