AFFIDAVITS

In order for Animal Services and Enforcement to process the case in a timely manner, we are requesting that you submit your notarized affidavit within 96 hours (4 days) of the incident.

Return your notarized affidavit to:

Animal Services at PAWS
752 Lovejoy Road
Fort Walton Beach, Florida 32548

*If you have any questions or need further assistance please call (850) 244-0196

Before you fill out an affidavit it is suggested you first try to make contact with the owner of the violating animal. Sometimes owners are not even aware that there is a problem. If this does not help, you can then call our dispatch center at (850) 244-0196 and advise the tele-communicator of the situation. Be sure to have the owner’s address (you must have the EXACT address to ensure we make contact with the correct parties), a description of the animal involved and the nature of the complaint (i.e. barking, running loose, defecating etc.). OCAS will then send the owner’s a warning letter advising them of the County Ordinances, fines and suggestions on how to resolve the matter without us having to issue them citations.

Please read All instructions below before downloading the affidavit forms. Failure to follow this instructions properly may nullify the document which in turn prohibits our department from issuing citations.

• Complaint Affidavit
• Barking Affidavit
• Petition For Dangerous Dog

If the problem still persists (be sure to allow for delivery of the warning letters which are mailed 24 hours from the time the call is received), you can then fill out an affidavit. It is EXTREMELY important that you follow the directions. Failure to do so may result in our office not issuing the citation. Also, be aware that once a citation has been issued from your affidavit, you may be required to appear in court should the owner wish to contest it. It is MANDATORY that you appear as a witness to the event.

AT LARGE or DEFECATION affidavits must contain the following information:

• Affiant’s Name – (Your Name)
• Affiant’s Address – (Your Address)
• Affiant’s Phone – (Your Phone Number)
• Date of Statement – Date you filled the statement out (not violation date)
• Owner’s Address – (Name is not required but helps if you do know it)
• Animal Description – (Describe the animal or animals as best you can)
• A SPECIFIC DATE – this is a MUST, citations will NOT be issued without a specific date of violation (simply writing “everyday” or “daily” is NOT acceptable and citations cannot be issued).
• A SPECIFIC TIME – this is a MUST, citations will NOT be issued without a specific time of violation – (leaving a time out or writing “all day long” are NOT acceptable and citations cannot be issued.
• A full description of the violation. Who, What, When, Where and How.
• Affiant’s NOTARIZED signature.

Photographs are NOT required but are helpful. If possible please include them with your affidavit.

BARKING affidavits must be filled out and contain the following information:

• Affiant’s Name – (Your Name)
• Affiant’s Address – (Your Address)
• Affiant’s Phone – (Your Phone Number)
• Date of Statement – Date you filled the statement out (not violation date)
• Owner’s Address (Name is not required but helps if you do know it)
• Animal Description (Describe the animal or animals as best you can)
• SPECIFIC DATES – this is a MUST, citations will NOT be issued without a specific date or dates of violation (simply writing “everyday” or “daily” is NOT acceptable and citations cannot be issued). You MUST show that the animal or animals in question show a pattern of nuisance. Remember, dogs are allowed to “Alert” or “Watchdog” bark.
• SPECIFIC TIMES – this is a MUST, citations will NOT be issued without a specific times of violation – (leaving a time out or writing “all day long” are NOT acceptable and citations cannot be issued. List starting AND ending times and be sure to notate AM or PM.
• A full description of the violation. Who, What, When, Where and How.
• Affiant’s NOTARIZED signature.