Animals shall be provided humane care, treated and transported
in a humane manner and not in violation of section 42.09 of the Texas
Penal Code, title 10 of the Texas Health and Safety Code, as amended,
or any other provision of law, including federal, state and local
laws, ordinances and rules.
(Ordinance 695-01 adopted 3/5/01)
A person commits an offense if
(1)
A
person fails to provide an animal under his or her control and/or
ownership with adequate wholesome food and water, proper shelter and
protection from inclement weather, and veterinary care when needed
to prevent suffering.
(2)
A
person having charge, care, custody or control of an animal places
or confines such animal, or allows such animal to be placed or confined,
in a motor vehicle trailer or other enclosure under such conditions,
or for such a period of time, as to endanger the health of the animal
due to heat, lack of food or water, or such other circumstances as
may cause injury or death to the animal.
(3)
A
person treats an animal in an inhumane or cruel manner as defined
by section 42.09 of the Texas Penal Code, as amended, or chapter 821,
Texas Health and Safety Code, as amended.
(4)
A
person knowingly owns, harbors, trains, sells or offers for sale any
animal which is to be used for the purpose of fighting; or to be trained,
tormented, badgered or baited for the purpose of causing or encouraging
said animal to attack human beings or animals when not provoked, except
that this subsection shall not apply to guard dogs.
(5)
A
person mutilates any animal, whether such animal is dead or alive.
This subsection does not apply to medical or veterinary medical research,
medical or veterinary medical autopsies, or biology class use of animals
for educational purposes.
(6)
A
person causes an animal to fight another animal or person.
(7)
A
person, other than a licensed veterinarian, docks an animal’s
tail, or crops an animal’s ears, or castrates an animal; provided,
however, this subsection shall not apply to normal livestock operations
occurring within the city.
(8)
A
person dyes or colors chicks, ducks, rabbits, reptiles or birds.
(9)
A
person transporting an animal fails to effectively restrain an animal
so as to prevent the animal from leaving or being accidentally thrown
from a vehicle during normal operation of the vehicle, or fails to
effectively restrain an animal so as to prevent infliction of bodily
harm to a passerby. Provided, however, the provisions herein shall
not prohibit a person from transporting an effectively confined or
tethered dog in the open bed of a pickup truck.
(10)
A person is in control of a motor vehicle which strikes a domestic
animal or livestock within the corporate limits of the city and fails
to report the accident to the city enforcement agent as soon as practical.
(11)
A person abandons any animal, including the abandonment of an impounded
animal at the animal control facility with the intent to readopt the
animal to avoid impoundment fees.
(12)
A person ties or tethers a dog in such a manner that prevents the
animal from access to adequate shelter, food and water.
(13)
A person ties or tethers a dog in such a manner that the animal could
become entangled or injured.
(14)
A person cruelly confines an animal in a manner that prevents the
animal from being able to stand to its full height, stretch out, turn
around and lie down and make normal postural adjustments comfortably
for a period of 24 hours or more.
(15)
A person confines an animal in such a way that the animal is forced
to stand and/or lay within its own feces, standing water or other
unsanitary conditions.
(Ordinance 695-01 adopted 3/5/01)
