MCSO LIVESTOCK AUCTIONS

Pursuant to Florida State Statute 588.16, the Marion County Sheriff’s Office has a duty to impound livestock found running at large within the county.

Pursuant to Florida State Statute 588.17, any livestock which is not claimed after three days shall be offered for sale. This sale shall be held within five to ten days from the first publication providing notice of such sale. The sale shall be held in person where the livestock are impounded by means of a public auction where the animal sold to the highest cash bid.

Pursuant to Florida State Statute 588.20, at the completion of the sale, all proceeds are provided to the Clerk of the Circuit Court. Any balance remaining after assessment of the costs and fees of impounding are paid to the livestock owner (if known and proof of ownership provided) or to the fine and forfeiture fund of the county.

Now that the statutory guidelines have been laid out, we can explain how things are done at the Marion County Sheriff’s Office. Livestock found running at large or strayed is only impounded if an owner is unable to be located. Once said livestock is impounded, one of the places where notice is given is on the Marion County Sheriff's Office website. If a property or person is believed to be tied to the impounded livestock, notice is posted on the gate and contact is attempted through any found phone numbers or addresses. The livestock is then held for a period of time until the notice of sale can be published (typically 10 days) meaning an animal owner would have a minimum of 15 days to realize they were missing their livestock.

The fees associated with the livestock sale come from impounding, daily care, special care, advertising, and disposition. The impound fee is a flat of $100 which includes the deputy(s) time, the truck (including mileage), the trailer, and other equipment needed for the safe confinement of such livestock. Any veterinarian fees are the exact cost required. Daily care fees are $8 per day.

The notice of sale is published as required by statute through the newspaper. It is also published on the Marion County Sheriff’s Office website and social media page as we understand citizens are more likely to see the posting on social media.

The sale requires a bidder to pay in full with cash, cashiers check or certified check for the animal at the time of the sale. The sale also requires any potential buyer to have a trailer or other means to remove the animal present at the time of the sale.

All livestock, with the exception of cattle due to statutory guidelines, are also available for adoption. Livestock is only available for adoption after the same timeframe we provide for an owner to come forward to claim their animal. We do not post photographs of the animal prior to the sale as a security layer in hopes of preventing someone from falsely claiming an animal which does not belong to them.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs)

  • At the Marion County Sheriff’s Office Agriculture Investigations Farm, located at 1001 W Highway 316, Citra, FL 32113.

  • No, the sale is only held in person.

  • Through cash, cashier’s check, or certified check.

  • The means to pay for any livestock purchased, photo identification, and a vehicle capable of removing any livestock purchased (i.e. a truck and trailer).

  • Sales will only be held as needed. Typically, a sale will only be held if there are cattle which go unclaimed.

  • Any livestock which is to be sold will published with the notification of sale.

  • No, the Sheriff’s Office does not receive any profit from the proceeds of the sale. Any proceeds get paid into the county’s fine and forfeiture fund, if not claimed in the manner set forth in Florida State Statute 588.20(3).

  • Unless the livestock owner places their phone number or other identifiable information on the ear tag, the owner is not identified through the ear tag. Ear tags can be bought online or in any farm-related store in bulk which means numerous owners can, and do, have the same ear tags. These ear tags are typically used for a specific owner to identify something about their own livestock.

  • Conduct frequent fence checks and head counts of livestock owned by them. If an animal is noticed to be missing, notify the Marion County Sheriff’s Office. Livestock owners are also encouraged to register for the Sheriff’s Ag Watch program with accurate contact information.