(1) The board of county commissioners shall adopt minimum employment standards relative to the recruitment, selection and appointment of animal control officers. The minimum standards shall include:

    (a) Requirements for physical, educational, mental and moral fitness.

    (b) A minimum course of study of not less than 100 instructional hours as prescribed by the department of agriculture.

    (2) Subdivision (b) shall not apply if the animal control officer is a police officer or has served at least 3 years as an animal control officer.