Loading...
Exh 7A_. - ,• CITY OF ATLANTIC BEACH CITY COMMISSION STAFF REPORT ~' AGENDA ITEM: Animal Control Ordinance Revision DATE: March 15, 1999 ~~ ~~zZ-99 SUBMITTED BY: David E. Thompson, City Manager BACKGROUND: The Animal Control Committee reported its recommendations to the City Commission on January 11, 1999. This included a provision to clarify how far back an animal control violation would date back when considering repeat violations. The Animal Control Committee suggested that we use a three (3) year limit. If a violation is more than three (3) years old, then it would not be included in the consideration as a repeat offense. Although this was received by the City Commission, no action was taken relative to amending the code. The City Attorney has prepared amendments to reflect this recommendation, in addition to cleaning up some language relative to the term "dangerous dog." The term "dangerous" dog in Section 4-10 has been substituted for "vicious" dog, to be consistent with State Law. RECOMMENDATION: We recommend the approval of the attached ordinance on first reading, and setting the public hearing and final action for April 12, 1999. ATTACHMENT: See Ordinance language prepared by the City Attorney Minutes from January 11, 1999 Ci Commission Meeting REVIEWED BY CITY MANAGER: AGENDA ITEM NUMBER: j ~ . SPONSOR: COMMISS ER t ORDINANCE NO. 95 -99- 70 AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF ATLANTIC BEACH AMENDING CHAPTER 4, ASSIlVSA7S, SEC. 410, DANGEROUS DOGS, TO .. ELIMINATE ANY REFERENCES "VICIOUS DOGS", AND .SEC. 430(b), CITATIONS AUTHORIZED; PENALTIES PROVIDED, TO PROVIDE THAT A SECOND OR SUBSEQUENT OFFENSE BE WITffiN THREE (3) YEARS FROM THE FIRST OR PRIOR OFFENSE BEFORE INCREASED FINES ARE APPLIED, AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE BE IT ENACTED BY THE CITY COMIVIISSION ON BEHALF OF THE PEOPLE OF ATLANTIC BEACH, FLORIDA, AS FOLLOWS: SECTION X. Chapter 4, Animals, Sec. 4-10, paragraph (a) [which is the paragraph (a) under said section that follows (g) and is relettered (h) by this Ordinance], and Sec. 4-30(b) aze hereby amended to read as follows: "Sec. 4-10. Dangerous dogs. '- (h) It shall be unlawful for any owner or keeper of any dangerous dog to permit such dog to run at large or without the enclosure of the owner or keeper l I thereof within the corporate limits of the city without being properly muzzled. Any dog known to have bitten any person is hereby defined as a "dangerous dog" but the term "dangerous dog" shall not be limited to only those dogs who are known to have bitten any person. "Sec. 4-30. Citations authorized; penalties provided. (b) Violations of this article shall be punishable by fines as follows: First Offense: Twenty-five dollazs ($25.00) for the first offense: ... if not paid within 14 days, fine goes to $50.00 ... if not paid within 30 days, a Code Enforcement hearing would be required that could result in a fine of up to $250.00 per day; Second Offense (if within three (3) yeazs of first offense): One hundred dollars ($100.00) for the second offense: :..if not paid within 14 days, fine goes to $150.00; ..if not paid within 30 days, a Code Enforcement hearing would be required that could result in a fine of up to $250.00 per day; ALAN JENSEN ATTY 974 P03 MAR 16'99 16:03 Third Offense (if within three (3) years of first offense): Third offense and subsequent offenses would require a mandatory appearance before the Code Enforcement Soard." ,~rCTfON 2; This ordinance shall take effect immediately upon its final passage and adoption. )PASSED by the City Commission on first reading this day of , 1999. PASSED by the City Commission on second and final reading this day of 1999. SUZANNE S1iAUGHNF.SSY Mayor/Presiding Officer ATTEST: MAUREEN KING, City Clcrk Approved as io form and correctness: ALAN C. JENSEN, ESQUIRE City Attorney ~~ Minutes Page -4- January 11,1999 Commissioner Mitchelson asked for a recap of warranties and Mr. Dowling responded that the Kinco aluminum double pane window had a one yeaz warranty and the Marvin double pane window a ten yeaz warranty. Commissioner Beaver inquired concerning the Marvin window fabrication and vas told it was made from aluminum wrapped wood. Mayor Shaughnessy expressed concern that the windows would fog. Mr. Dowling responded that the Marvin windows would be replaced for teri years if that occurred. Commissioner Mitchelson then inquired concerning the use of glass block and it vas discussed that although the block would probably last longer, you could not see through it. When asked why windows were needed, Public Safety Director Thompson replied that the second floor would be air conditioned and they were needed for climate control and to prevent deterioration of equipment. In regard to the inquiry conceming the reduction in the number of stories of the building, it was pointed out that two stories were more cost effective and afforded a better view for adjacent neighbors. Motion: Accept recommendation of Mr. Dowling to upgrade with Marvin windows at a cost of $3,548.00. There being no further discussion, the motion carried unanimously. 5. Committee Reports: Soccer Fields Mayor Shaughnessy requested that the feasibility study for soccer fields be placed on a future agenda as soon as the Recreation Board has made its recommendation. Item SA was taken out of sequence and presented at this time. A. Animal Control Committee Report on Proposed Dog Run Area and Proposed Amendment fo Animal Control Ordinance (Sylvia Simmons, Chair) Sylvia Simmons, Chair of the Animal Control Committee, presented the committee recommendation for the proposed dog run area to be located at OMMISSIONERS M O T I O N S E C O N D Y E S N p BEAVER X '~ BoRNO x MESERVE X X MITCHELSON X. X SHAUGHNESSY X Minutes Page -5- January 11, 1999 either Dutton Island or the Tresca property. It was explained that these sites were chosen because they were located in an undeveloped area and if agreed to, could be incorporated into the development plans for either location. Ms. Simmons further stated that other sites had been considered in residential areas, but the neighboring property owners were opposed to the idea. It vas also reported that the committee recommended a three yeaz limit per animal control ticket/violation. ' Mayor Shaughnessy thanked the committee for their diligence and recognized those members who were present. 4. Consent Agenda: Commissioner Mitchelson requested that Items B and C be removed from the Consent Agenda for further discussion. A. Acknowledge Receipt of Report of New Occupational Licenses for December, and Monthly Reports from Building, Code Enforcement and Recreation Departments (City Manager) D. Reject All Bids Received Under Bid No. 9899-9 fora 6-Inch Pump and Engine With Automatic Level Controller (City Manager) Motion: Approve Items A and D as presented. There was no discussion and the motion carried unanimously. B. Award Contract to R.L. Lawrence For Concrete Repair Pursuant to the Specifications of Bid No. 9899-4 (City Manager) Commissioner Mitchelson inquired as to the price quoted for 18-inch concrete and a brief discussion ensued concerning Mr. Lawrence's bid prices. Public Works Director Kosoy explained the bid specifications and stated the repairs were most often made to sidewalks and driveways on public right-of--way. Motion: Accept staff recommendation and award contract to R.L. Lawrence pursuant to the specifications of Bid No. 9899-4. There was no more discussion and the motion carried unanimously. OMMISSIONERS M O T I O N S E C O N D Y E S N O BEAVER X BORNO X X MESERVE X X MITCHELSON X SHAUGHNESSY X BEAVER X BoRNO x MESERVE X X MITCHELSON X X SHAUGHNESSY X ,• ~~ ~e ORDINANCE NO. 95-98-69 AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF ATLANTIC BEACH REWRITING IN ITS ENTIRETY CHAPTER 4, A-NIlVIATS, OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES, .AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE BE IT ENACTED BY THE CITY COn'IlVIISSION ON BEHALF OF THE PEOPLE OF ATLANTIC BEACH, FLORIDA, AS FOL7.o'WS: SECTION 1. Chapter 4, Animals, Articles I and II, of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Atlantic Beach, Florida is hereby amended to read as follows: "Chapter 4 ANIlViALS ARTICLE I. IN GENERAL Sec. 4-X. Animal control enforcement. _ ~ The provisions of this chapter shall be enforced by the animal control officer(s), police officer(s), and code enforcement officer(s) of the city. ~~ Sec. 4-2. Interfering tivith officers. No person shall interfere with, resist, or hinder any animal control officer, police officer, or code enforcement officer in the performance of any duty required by the provisions of this chapter. Sec. 4-3. Animal shelter or impounding vehicles; breaking open fences, etc., of; removal of ariunals. No person shall break open or assist in the breaking open of any of the fences, gates, fastenings or enclosures of the animal shelter or impounding vehicles and no unauthorized person shall remove or let loose any animal from the shelter or impounding vehicles. Sec. 4-4. City designated bird sanctuary; shooting, molesting, etc., of birds prohibited; exception. (a) The entire area embraced within the city is hereby designated as a bird sanctuary. (b) It shall be unlawful to trap, hunt, shoot or attempt to shoot or molest in any manner any bird or wild fowl or to rob birds' nests or ~vild fowl nests; provided, that if starlings or similar birds are found to be congregating in such numbers in a particular locality that they ~, constitute a nuisance or a menace to health or property, in the opinion of the proper health authorities of the city, then the health authorities shall meet with representatives of the Audubon Society, bird club, garden club or humane society, or as many of the clubs as are found to exist ;• .' t in the city, after having given at least three (3) days' actual notice of the time and place of the meeting to the representatives of the clubs. (c) If as a result of the meeting no satisfactory alternative is found to abate the nuisance, then the birds may be destroyed in such number and in such manner as is deemed advisable by the health authorities under the supervision of the chief of police of the city. Sec. 4-5. Cruelty to animals. (a) It shall be unlawful for any person to overload, overdrive, torture, torment or deprive of necessary sustenance, food or drink, or unnecessarily or cruelly beat, mutilate or kill any animal or cause or permit either of such offenses to be committed. (b) It shall be unlawful for any person to willfully and maliciously steal, kill, wound or injure any animal which is the property of another or willfully and maliciously administer poison to any animal or expose any poisonous substance with intent that the same shall be taken and swallowed by any animal which is the property of another. (c) It shall be unlawful for any person to willfully and maliciously mistreat or abandon any animal tivithin the limits of the city. State la~v reference(s)--Cruelty to an'unals, F.S. Ch. 828. Sec. 4-6. Reser~•ed. Sec. 4-~. Keeping or maintaining certain animals in the city. (a) It shall be unlawful for any person to keep or maintain horses, mules, cows, cattle, chickens, poultry, or goats in the city, except for in special events, as approved by the city manager. (b) It shall be unlawful for any person to keep a hog or hogs upon any property or premises located within the limits of the city, with the sole exception of a bona fide, purebred miniature Vietnamese potbellied pig which is kept for the sole purpose of providing human companionship, and which is in compliance with all other applicable provisions of this Code. A'Iiniature Vietnamese potbellied pigs may be kept as household pets under the following conditions: (1) Ownership of a pig or other swine animal as a household pet is prohibited, except if such animal is a purebred miniature Vietnamese potbellied pig, sus scrota vittatus, is no younger than six (6) weeks of age, weighs no more than one hundred twenty-five (125) pounds, measures no more than twenty-two (22) inches in height to be measured to the top of a front shoulder, is spayed or neutered, is registered with a purebred registry which is recognized as bona fide by the animal control officer and is kept as a household pet for the sole purpose of providing human companionship. Ownership of such an excepted pig, hereinafter "pet potbellied pig," shall be regulated by the provisions of this part. .• ~• (2) No household shall own or keep more than one (1) pet potbellied pig. (3) Every pet potbellied pig shall be maintained primarily within the residence of its owner. No pet potbellied pig shall be kept out-of-doors. Every pet potbellied .pig may be exercised from time to time within a securely fenced enclosure on the owner's residential property or while under the secure physical control of the owner, or other custodian, by means of secure leash, chain or chord. Pursuant to section 4-24, which is hereby made applicable to this part, no pet potbellied pig shall run at large. (4) No pet potbellied pig shall be starved or otherwise deprived of healthful sustenance appropriate for its species and particular nature. Depriving a pet potbellied pig of healthful sustenance for any purpose, to include the purpose of stunting its growth of having it conform to the weight or height provisions in subsection (1) above, shall not constitute an exception to this provision. Violation of this provision shall constitute an offense punishable by a fine of five hundred dollars ($500.00). (5) All portions of chapter 4 which pertain to dogs and cats, or to relevant penalties, fees and time frames, and which are not superseded by specific provisions of this part, are . hereby declared to pertain to pet potbellied pigs, as defined and regulated under this chapter, with the following provisions: ~' a. There shall be no required annual inoculation against rabies for such pigs, but written certification by a licensed veterinazian shall be submitted as part of every application for annual license for a pet potbellied pig as proof that such pig has, within thirty (30) full business days before such application, been inoculated against and/or been blood-tested, with negative results, for pseudorabies and for brucellosis; b. Pet potbellied pigs shall be exempt from the quarantine provisions of chapter 4, but shall be subject to the provisions ofChapter lOD-3, Florida Administrative Code; c. Every application for annual license for a pet potbellied pig shall be accompanied by written certification from a licensed veterinarian that such pig is spayed or neutered and was, within thirty (30) days before such application is made, in compliance with this section's age, weight and height provisions; . d. Every application for annual license for a pet potbellied pig shall be accompanied by a sworn affidavit signed by the applicant to the effect that such pig is and shall be, for as long as it is owned by such applicant and regulated under this part, the sole pet potbellied pig owned or kept in such applicant's household; e. Before application for annual license for a pet potbellied pig is made, the owner of such pig shall allow the animal control officer a reasonable and timely opportunity to examine such pig and its bona fides as a registered potbellied pig pursuant to subsection (1) t above for the purpose of ascertaining that such pig is a true miniature Vietnamese potbellied pig; and f. The animal control officer shall have the authority to refuse application for annual license for any pig which it deems not to be identifiable as a true miniature Vietnamese potbellied pig. (6) No potbellied pig regulated by the provisions of this part shall be maintained or used as a source of food. No owner or animal shelter shall dispose of a pet potbellied pig by use, sale, trade or gift of such pig as a food source or as a research animal, but shall dispose of it only by sale, trade or gift as a household pet, pursuant to this part, by surrender to the animal control officer or to the Jacksonville Humane Society, or by humane euthanasia to be administered by the animal control officer, the Jacksonville Humane Society, or a licensed veterinarian. Failure to comply with any provision of this section shall constitute an offense punishable by a fine of five hundred dollars ($500.00). (7) All ordinance Code provisions and all Florida State Statutes which pertain to cruelty to or humane treatment of animals and which aze not superseded by any specific provision of this part shall apply to the ownership of pet potbellied pigs as regulated under this part. .Sec. 4-8. Reserved. ~~ Sec. 4-9. Injuries caused by animals. Tf an animal is off of the property of its otivner or of the property of the person who has custody of the animal and the,animal attacks and injures any person or other animal, the owner or person in custody of the animal shall be guilty of a violation of this article. Sec. 4-10. ~ieiet~s-deg Aangerous Dogs (a) "Dangerous dog" means any dog that according to the records of the appropriate authority• ~, ~-Ias aggressively bitten, attacked, endangered or has inflicted severe injury on a_human being on public or private property; ~, ~-Ias severel}_injured or killed a domestic animal while off the owner's property: ~ ~-Tas been used~rimarily or in Hart for the purpose of dog f ghting or is a dog trained for dog fghtin,o; or ~4,), Has when unprovoked, chased or approached a person upon the streets sidewalks, or any public Grounds in a menacing fashion or apparent attitude of attack provided that such actions are attested to in a sworn statement by one or more persons and dtttifully investigated b t~ppropriate authority. ~b . "Unprovoked" means that the victim who has been conducting himself or herself peacefully and lawfully has been bitten or chased in a menacing fashion or attacked by a dog_ ,{~ "Severe injury" means any~hYsical injury that results in broken bones, multiple bites, or disfi urina lacerations requiring sutures or reconstnictive surgery ~. "Proper enclosure of a dangerous dog" means, while on the owner's propert}~, a dangerous doe is securely confined indoors or in a securely enclosed and locked pen or stn~cture. suitable to prevent the entry of young children and designed to prevent the animal from escaping. Such pen or stnicture shall have secure sides and secure top to prevent the dog From escaping_over, under, or through the structure and shall also,provideprotection from the elements. ~ "Animal control authority" means an entit, acting alone or in concert with other local Governmental units and authorized by them to enforce the animal control laws of the cit}~ county or state. Tn those areas not served by an animal control authority, the sheriff shall carrX out the duties of the animal control authority under this act. ~f "Animal control officer" means any individual employed, contracted with, or appointed by the animal control authority for the tp irpose of aiding in the enforcement of this act or any other law or ordinance relating to the licensure of animals. control of animals, or seizure and impoundment of animals and includes any state or local law enforcement officer or ~~ other employee whose duties in whole or in part include assienments that involve the seizure and impoundment of any animal. .~g~ "Owner" means any person, firm, corporation or organization possessings harboring, keeping or havinG control or custody of an animal or, if the animal is owned by a person tinder the age of 18 that person's parent or Guardian ~. Tt shall be unlawful for an owner or keeper of_anv vicious doa to permit such doa to rtin at large or without the enclosure of the owner or keeper thereof within the corporate limits of the city without being_properly muzzled. Any dog known to havebitten an~nerson is herebX defined as a "vicious clog" but the term "vicious doa" shall not be limited to only those does tivho are known to have bitten andperson. 4-11 to 4-20. Reserved. AItTICI,E II. DOGS AND CATS' Sec. 4-21. Definitions. fior the purposes of this article, the following words and phrases shall have the meanings respectively ascribed to them by this section: Cat shall mean all domestic felines. t Dog shall mean all members of the canine family including pet foxes, wolves, etc. Owner shall mean any person having a right of property in a dog or cat, or who keeps or harbors a dog or cat, or who has it in Gaze or in custody. Any person who feeds, maintains, keeps, or assists in the welfare of an animal which is considered to be a stray or feral animal, accepts the role as the animal's owner. As such, the person is responsible for compliance with all local and state laws. The only. exception to this is registered organizations who offer temporary care for stray animals. Vaccination against rabies shall mean the proper administration of anti-rabies inoculation or vaccination by a veterinarian licensed by the state boazd of veterinary medicine. Sec. 4-22. Registration and tagging required. (a) No dogs or cats shall be owned or kept in the city unless properly registered and tagged as provided in this section. (b) No person shall be allowed to keep any dog over four (4) months of age or cat over four (4) months of age in the city unless the person shall first register the animal at City Hall in Atlantic Beach and purchase a permanent nontransferable identification tag for each animal in the following sums: (1) Five dollar ($5.00) fee for cats and dogs which have been spayed or neutered. (2) Fifteen dollar ($15.00) fee for dogs or cats which have not been spayed or neutered (upon proof of spaying and neutering of an animal, the city will rebate $10.00 of the fee). (c) Tags lost or stolen can be re-issued at City Hall for one dollaz ($ 1.00). Registra- tion tags shall be bought at City Hall immediately upon acquisition of an animal. Rabies vaccinations shall be updated every twelve (12) months for all animals over four (4) months of age. Both city and rabies tags shall be on the animal at all times when the animal is off the owner's property. (d) Anyone who takes an animal on the beach must have an Atlantic Beach tag on said animal. Sec. 4-23. Irripoundment for i~nregistei•ed dogs end cats. Any unregistered dog or cat found in the city shall be picked up by the city or the designated authorized agent of the city and placed in a shelter for a period of not less than three (3) days nor more than seven (7) days, except the animal may be released sooner upon identification and compliance with the registration requirements contained herein, and upon the payment of a twenty dollaz ($20.00) fee plus an additional $7.00 per day for the redemption of said animal. The registration fee for unregistered dogs or cats that have been picked up shall be double the fee in effect on the date the dog or cat is picked up. Sec. 4-24. Running at large. It shall be unlawful for the owner of any dog or cat to permit or allow the dog or cat to commit a nuisance or to be found running at lazge on any of the public streets, parks, playgrounds, alleys, beaches or vacant lots in the city and such dog or cat shall be picked up by the city or the designated authorized agent of the city and placed in a shelter for a period of not less than three (3) days nor more than seven (7) days, except the animal may be released sooner upon proper identification and compliance with the registration requirements contained herein, and upon the payment of a twenty dollar ($20.00) fee plus an additional $7.00 per daX for the redemption of said animal. The registration fee for unregistered dogs or cats that have been picked up shall be double the fee in effect on the date the dog or cat is picked up. Sec. 4-25. Leashing. (a) o ' , ~ •, iVo doF shall be allowed off the propertv of its owner unless the dog is fastened to a suitable leash of dependable strength not to exceed twelve (12) . feet in length. Such leash must be attached to a fixed obiect or specifically held bXa Qerson' capable of controlling the animal. On Atlantic Beach if dog and owner are in the Atlantic Ocean ~` together, the dog shall be allowed to swim unleashed and then immediately put back on the leash before returning to the beach. This does not include walkin„ the do; in the water. Sec. 4-26. Damaging property. (a) It shall be unlawful for any person who shall own or be in control or in charge of any dog or cat, to allow or permit they dog or cat to wander or stray upon the property of another and damage the property. (b) If any dog or cat shall wander or stray upon the property of any person within the corporate limits of the city and shall cause damage thereon, proof of the damage and the identity of the dog or cat shall be sufficient to convict the person owning or having charge of or control of the dog or cat violating the terms and provisions of this article. c~ Tt shall be a violation for any owner of a dog or cat to allow such dog or cat to defecate on any pro e,~rty within the city other than the owner's private property without immediately removing such defecation with some sort of material, utensil, or suitable container and depositing the defecation in a trash container. When walkino a dog or cat on any propertv within the Citv, other than the owner's propertv, the owner of that dog or cat shall carry some sort of_material, utensil, or suitable container with which to dispose of the defecation. State law reference(s)--Damage by dogs, F.S. Ch. 767. Sec. 4-27. Disturbing the peace. (a) It shall be unlawful for any person, whether owner, or anyone having charge, custody or control thereof, to keep any dogs or cats within the limits of the city which bark or howl so as to disturb the sleep or peace and quietude of any inhabitants of the city unless otherwise provided by state law. (b) Any animal er-fe~ which persistently makes noises for an hour or longer and annoys citizens of the city shall be declared a nuisance under this chapter. Sec. 4-28. Vicious dog -(Refer to Sec. 4-10) Sec. 4-29. Rabies suspected. Suspected rabies cases will be handled according to the Health Code as established by the State Department of Environmental Health (authorized by F.S.S. 381.006). Sec. 4-30. Citations authorized; penalties provided. (a) The city animal control officer or his designee as approved by the city manager shall have the authority to issue citations to those people whose pets are found to be in violation of ~~ this article and sections herein. (b) Violations of this article shall be punishable by fines as follows: i<'irst Offense• Twenty-five dollars ($25.00) for the first offense: ... if not paid within 14 days, fine ~es_to $50.00 ... if not paid within 30 days a Code Enforcement hearing would be required that could result in a fine of tip to $250.00 per dax; Second Offense: arty a^'-ups--(~4~.98~ one hundred dollars ($100.00) for the second offense: ..if not paid in 14 days, fine goes to $150.00: _ ..if not paid within 30 days a Code Enforcement hearing would be required that could result in a fine of tip to $250.00 per day: Third Offense: e °•~''°~°~^ ^ °~*^«~^^ ~^ =^^••°a. _third offense and subsequent offenses would require a mandatorX appearance before the Code Enforcement Board. ~cl A five dollar (~5 surcharee shall be assessed and collected upon each civil penalty imposed for violation of an ordinance relative to animal control or cruelty as authorized by . 828.27 Florida Statutes. The proceeds from such surcharge shall be used only to assist in ~aYing for the costs of training for animal control officers in accordance with the requirements of 828.27 of the Florida Statutes. Said civil penalty shall be paid to the City of Atlantic Beach.. _ (d1 The animal control officer shall have the authority to cite the owner or an~uerso_n avina custody of an animal for a violation of this article when, and only when: (1) the officer j~as received from an adult witness a sworn affidavit attesting to the animal having committed a violation pursuant to this article: or (21 the animal control officer or other person dulx authorized to enforce the provisions under this chapter, has witnessed the commission of a violation under this article. SECTION 2: This ordinance shall take effect immediately upon its final passage and adoption. PASSED by the City Commission on first reading this 28th day of September , 1998. PASSED by the City Commission on second and final reading this 26th day of October ~ 1998, SUZANNESHAUGHNFSS Mayor/Presiding Officer ATTEST: MA REEN KING, ity C rk App oved as to form and correctness: ALAN C. ~ E SEN, ESQUIRE City Atto Note: Netiv language indicated by underline ( ) Eliminated language indicated by strikeout ( ) Attachment -Florida State Statute 767.11 Revision of September 23, 1998 ~'