FL S2372

Amends Florida Statutes section 828.27 to require counties and municipalities that enact animal control or cruelty ordinances to impose a $15 surcharge on each civil penalty for violations (changed from optional surcharge of up to $5).

Allocates surcharge proceeds as follows: $1 retained by the clerk of the court, $5 directed to training costs for animal control officers, and the remainder used to subsidize spaying and neutering services for dogs and cats.

Limits charges to animal owners participating in voluntary sterilization programs to the actual cost of the procedure minus the surcharge subsidy.

Clarifies that the legislation does not mandate counties or municipalities to enact such ordinances.

Effective date: July 1, 2010.