Petition for Custody of Confiscated Animals – Board authorization for litigating a petition filed on December 2, 2022, in Seminole County Court that seeks to obtain permanent legal custody of dogs seized by Seminole County Animal Services during Seminole County case number 2022CF002805A. District 5 – Herr. (Paul H. Chipok, Acting County Attorney)

On November 22, 2022, the Seminole County Sheriff's Office responded to a report of a large number of dogs in various states of poor condition at a residence in Sanford. The Sheriff’s Office requested the assistance of Seminole County Animal Services. Seminole County Animal Services currently has physical custody of 38 dogs as a result of the investigation. The owner faces criminal animal cruelty charges in case 2022CF002805A. In order to preserve jurisdiction, the County Attorney’s Office filed a Petition for Custody of the dogs on December 2, 2022. The petition seeks to divest the owner of any ownership rights to the dogs and an award of legal ownership to Animal Services, a necessary prerequisite to making the dogs available for adoption. 

Staff recommends the Board authorize the County Attorney’s Office to continue pursuit of the litigation to its conclusion.