Pay a Pet Citation

Related FAQs

• How do I pay a pet citation?

   

  • In person at:
    Animal Services Department
    3599 NW 79 Avenue
    Doral, FL 33122
  • Accepted payment methods: Visa, Mastercard and Discover
  • Check, money order or cashiers' checks payable to Animal Services
  • Checks must include the citation number. Business checks must include business information and be presented with a valid driver’s license
    
    
  • By Mail Payment to:
    Internal Compliance Department  
    111 NW 1st Street, 26th Floor
    Miami, Florida 33128
    
    Check, money order or cashier's check must be payable to:
    Miami-Dade County and include the citation number
    
    
  • Pay by phone: 786-469-2900
  • Online: Code Enforcement Citation Search

  Note: Payment of a citation does not achieve compliance.
  
  Compliance is achieved when all requirements specified in the citation, including licensing, rabies vaccination and any other mandated conditions, have been fully satisfied.

• How do I dispute a pet citation?

  Animal Services will review your case and the documents you provide and determine whether the citation was issued correctly according to the specific laws that apply to your situation. Dispute results will be communicated by email.

  Submitting a dispute does not pause, extend, or replace the 20-calendar-day appeal deadline.

  Send an email to [email protected], make sure to include:

  • Name
  • Address
  • Phone number 
  • Violation/Citation Number
  • Supporting documents

  Example of acceptable support documents:

  • Rabies vaccination records
  • License tag receipts
  • Veterinary records
  • Spay or Neuter Certificates
  • Death Certificates
  • Adoption or ownership transfer records
  • Proof that the animal no longer belongs to the cited person

  Reasons that are not accepted for disputes:

  • Financial hardship
  • Inability to pay
  • First-time violation
  • Lack of knowledge of the ordinance

  • Note: The dispute resolution will be communicated via email.

    • Visit the citation office at:
      Miami-Dade Animal Services
      3599 NW 79th Avenue
      Doral, FL 33122

    Bring all support documents with you.

• What are the reasons a civil citation is issued for a pet violation?

  Civil citations and violation notices may be issued to pet owners who do not comply with County ordinances or laws. Visit Chapter 5 - Animals and Fowl to learn more information. 

  Some of the most common violations include:

  • Failure to vaccinate an animal against rabies - Chapter 5.6
  • Failure to obtain a license tag - Chapter 5.7
  • Failure to spay/neuter an adopted pet - Chapter 5.5
  • Dog running at large - Chapter 5.20
  • Unlawful tethering of dog - Chapter 5.22
• How do I appeal my citation?
  • You may request an administrative hearing to appeal a citation deemed valid (Review the Citation Letter)
  • Appeals must be submitted in writing within 20 calendar days of the citation date.
  • Email to [email protected]
  • Fax to 305-375-2731
  • Mailed to the following address:
    • County Clerk, Code Enforcement 
      Intergovernmental Services Division 
      111 NW 1st Street, Suite 1750
      Miami, Florida 33128
      
      
  • The Clerk of Court will notify you of your hearing date
  • If additional information is required, the Clerk of the Court will contact you
  • Closed citations can take up to two weeks to appear in the system
  • If found guilty during the administrative hearing, the Clerk of the Court will communicate by mail the outcome of the case and payment instructions
• How do I dispute a citation that is now in collections?

   

  • Visit the Citation office at:
    Miami-Dade Animal Services
    3599 NW 79th Avenue
    Doral, FL 33122
     
  • Send an email to [email protected] (include the following):
    • Name
    • Address
    • Phone number
    • Citation number
    • Provide supporting documents
      
      

  Note: The dispute resolution will be communicated by mail.

   

  • Call the County's Collection office at 786-469-5200
  • Visit the Internal Compliance Department:
    • Internal Compliance Department
      111 NW 1st Street, 26th Floor
      Miami, FL 33128