The following words, terms, and phrases shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where the context indicates a different meaning:
Abandon.
To leave unattended for more than seventy-two (72) hours without making reasonable arrangements for assumption of custody by another person.
Animal control officer.
An employee or agent of the city designated by the city to investigate, administer, and enforce the city code and laws of the state pertaining to the care and control of animals within the city.
Animal.
Any living nonhuman creature, vertebrate or invertebrate, domestic or wild.
At-large.
Not under the control of the owner either by leash, chain, cord, or other suitable material attached to a collar or harness on the dog; not restrained securely within an enclosure or fenced premises.
Cat.
Felis catus.
City.
Town of Ransom Canyon.
Collar.
A band, chain, harness or other suitable device worn around the neck of an animal to which a current rabies vaccination tag can be affixed.
Dangerous dog.
Any dog that, because of its aggressive nature, training, or characteristic behavior, has demonstrated that it presents a risk of serious physical harm or death to human beings, or would constitute a danger to human life, physical well-being, or property if not kept under the direct control of the owner. This definition shall not apply to dogs utilized by law enforcement officers in the performance of their duties. The term “dangerous dog” includes any dog that according to records of the city or any law enforcement agency:
(1) 
Makes an unprovoked attack on a person that causes bodily injury and occurs in a place other than an enclosure in which the dog was being kept and that was reasonably certain to prevent the dog from leaving the enclosure on its own; or
(2) 
Commits unprovoked acts in a place other than an enclosure in which the dog was being kept and that was reasonably certain to prevent the dog from leaving the enclosure on its own and those acts cause a person to reasonably believe that the dog will attack and cause bodily injury to that person; and
(3) 
Meets the definition under state law, Texas Health and Safety Code chapter 822, regulation of animals.
Dangerous wild animal.
An animal of a species defined as a “dangerous wild animal” in section 822.101 of the Texas Health and Safety Code (dangerous wild animals) as amended; or an animal of any other species of wild or feral mammal or reptile that by its nature or breeding is capable of inflicting serious bodily injury to a human.
Dog.
A domesticated member of the canine family, Canis familiaris, but does not include a wolf, jackal, coyote, fox, or other wild animal of this family.
Exotic animal.
Any animal not commonly domesticated. This does not include small caged animals that are typically sold through pet stores, including rabbits, commercially bred ferrets, indoor caged birds, nonpoisonous reptiles, amphibians and small mammals (hamsters, guinea pigs, rats, mice, and gerbils), and fish kept in an aquarium or ornamental pond.
Fenced yard.
An area that is completely surrounded by a substantial fence of sufficient strength, height, construction, materials, and design as to prevent any harbored animal from escaping from the area and any part of the head of a harbored animal from extending over or above the fence line.
Fowl.
Domestic birds to include chickens, hens, roosters, ducks, geese, and pigeons.
Harboring.
The act of keeping and caring for an animal or providing premises to which the animal returns for food, shelter, or care for a period of seventy-two (72) hours or longer.
Humane officer.
Any person designated by the state, a municipal government, or a humane society as a law enforcement officer who is qualified to perform such duties under the laws of this state.
Impound.
To seize and hold in the custody of the animal control authority or another authority such as a veterinarian or animal shelter.
Livestock.
Animals that are routinely raised on a farm and/or are generally found in agricultural habitats to include horses, cows, sheep, goats, swine, burros, donkeys, and mules.
Owner.
An owner, custodian, caretaker, or person who feeds or harbors the subject animal for seventy-two (72) hours or longer. Persons caring for an animal at the specific request of an owner are not included in the definition of owner; however, they are required to keep the animal in compliance with this chapter.
Pet.
Any animal kept for pleasure rather than utility.
Prohibited animal.
An animal other than a common domestic or livestock animal, regardless of state or duration of captivity, that poses a potential physical or disease threat to the public or that is protected by international, federal, or state regulations, including but not limited to:
(1) 
Class Reptilia.
Family Helodermatidea (venomous lizards); Family Viperidae (rattlesnakes, copperheads, cottonmouths, other pit vipers and true vipers); Family Elapidae (coral snakes, cobras, elapids); the following listed species of Family Colubridae: Dispholidus typus (boomslang), Hyrodynastes gigal (water cobra, boiga (mangrove snake, and Thelotornis (African twig snake); Order Ophidia, Family Boidae (racers, boas, water snakes, and pythons); and Order Crocodilia (crocodiles, alligators, caimans, and gavials);
(2) 
Class Aves.
Order Falconiformes (such as hawks, eagles, and vultures); Subdivision Ratitae (such as ostriches, rheas, cassowaries, and emus); Order Strigiformes (such as owls);
(3) 
Class Mammalia.
Order Carnivora, Family Felidae (such as lions, ocelots, margays, tigers, jaguars, leopards, and cougars), except commonly accepted domesticated cats; Family Canidae (such as wolves, wolf-dog hybrids, dingoes, coyotes, and jackals), except domesticated dogs; Family Mustelidae (such as weasels, skunks, wild ferrets, martins, mink, and badgers); Family Procyonidae (raccoon); Family Ursidae (such as bears); Order Marsupialia (such as kangaroos and common opossums); Order Edentata (such as sloths, anteaters, and armadillos); Order Primata (such as monkeys, chimpanzees, and gorillas); Order Rodentia (such as porcupines); and Order Ungulata (such as antelope, deer, and bison); Order Chiroptera (such as bats);
(4) 
Animals not listed.
The city council or the animal control officer may declare any species of animal not listed in this subsection as “prohibited” if the confinement of the animal within the city can be shown to constitute a threat to public health and safety.
Quarantine.
Strict confinement under restraint by closed cage or paddock or in any other manner approved in this chapter or state law.
Secure enclosure.
A fenced area that is:
(1) 
Locked and in conformance with the requirements for enclosures established by the city and state law;
(2) 
Capable of preventing the entry of the general public, including children;
(3) 
Capable of preventing the escape or release of a dog; and
(4) 
If applicable, clearly marked as containing a dangerous dog.
Stray animal.
Any animal for which there is no identifiable owner or harborer.
Unprovoked.
With respect to an attack or attempt to attack by a dog, that the dog was not hit, kicked, or struck by a person with any object or part of the attacked person’s body nor was any part of the dog’s body pulled, pinched, or squeezed or in any other manner provoked by the person attacked.
Vaccination.
Inoculation of an animal with a vaccine that is licensed by the United States Department of Agriculture, and which is administered by a veterinarian for the purpose of immunizing the animal against rabies and which is administered in compliance with the requirements of this chapter and by state law.
Vicious animal.
Any animal that constitutes a physical threat to human beings or other animals.
(Ordinance 111219 adopted 12/10/19)
The following shall be considered a public nuisance and shall be unlawful:
(1) 
The keeping of an animal which causes frequent or long continued noise, barking, howling, meowing, or whining in such a manner, with such intensity, or with such continued duration, so as to annoy, distress, or disturb the quiet comfort or repose of persons of ordinary sensibilities within the vicinity of hearing thereof;
(2) 
The keeping of more than three (3) dogs and three (3) cats above the age of four (4) months within the city limits;
(3) 
The keeping of livestock, fowl (with the exception of six (6) chickens per residence); swine; wild animals; bees; and other prohibited animals defined above;
(4) 
The keeping of any animal as to endanger the public health or as to annoy neighbors or other nearby persons of ordinary sensibilities by the accumulation of feces and putrid materials which cause foul and offensive odors or the creation of a condition that is a breeding place for fleas or other vector;
(5) 
The keeping of any animal which habitually deposits body wastes upon or destroys by chewing, scratching, digging or otherwise, property other than that of the owner of such animal;
(6) 
The keeping of animals for which rabies vaccine is available and which remains unvaccinated against rabies; and
(7) 
The failure to restrain and allow a dog to run at-large.
(Ordinance 111219 adopted 12/10/19)
(a) 
Every owner of a dog or cat over four (4) months of age shall have the animal vaccinated against rabies. Thereafter all dogs and cats shall be immunized annually against rabies by means of an anti-rabies vaccine administered by a duly licensed veterinarian in accordance with the Texas Administrative Code, section 169.29 and pursuant to the Texas Health and Safety Code, sections 826.014 and 826.017, as amended.
(b) 
Upon vaccination of an animal, the owner shall procure from the veterinarian a durable tag which is stamped with the tag number and year administered and a corresponding vaccination certificate. Such tag and identification tag shall be securely attached to a collar around the neck of the animal or a harness around the neck of and body of the animal vaccinated, except that cats shall not be required to wear such tag so long as the owner of the cat possesses such a tag and certificate.
(Ordinance 111219 adopted 12/10/19)
No single-family household in the city may keep more than a three (3) adult dogs and three (3) adult cats. This section does not restrict litters of kittens or puppies under four (4) months of age.
(Ordinance 111219 adopted 12/10/19)
(a) 
No single household in the city may keep more than six (6) chickens, regardless of the amount of acreage available. Keeping roosters and other fowl are prohibited in the city.
(b) 
Chickens must not be visible from the street and must be totally enclosed within a privacy fence of a height of at least four (4) feet and must be located in the rear of the property. The fenced area containing chickens must be at least fifteen (15) feet from any adjacent lot. All shelters and fencing must be kept in good repair.
(Ordinance 111219 adopted 12/10/19)
It shall be an offense for any person to fail to promptly remove and dispose of, in a sanitary manner, feces left by a dog, cat, or other animal being owned, handled, or controlled by that person:
(1) 
Upon a public area, included but not limited to walks, parks, recreation areas, public streets; and
(2) 
Upon private property other than the premises of the owner, handler or controller of the animal.
(Ordinance 111219 adopted 12/10/19)
Every person owning or having charge, care, custody, or control of any animal shall not engage in acts of cruelty and violence toward the animal and shall:
(1) 
Provide basic necessities for the animal:
(A) 
Regular and adequate amounts of nutritious food that is appropriate to maintain the animal in good health;
(B) 
A constant and adequate supply of clean, fresh, potable water that keeps the animal hydrated for environmental conditions; and
(C) 
Care and medical treatment for injuries, parasites, and diseases that is sufficient to maintain the animal in good health and minimize suffering.
(2) 
Provide for proper shelter for the animal so that the animal is not exposed to constant sun and inclement weather;
(3) 
Not abandon any animal in the city; and
(4) 
Not place or confine any animal to remain in a motor vehicle or trailer under life-threatening conditions for a period of time as may endanger the health or well-being of the animal due to heat, cold, lack of food or water, or such other circumstances as may reasonably be expected to cause suffering, disability, or death.
(Ordinance 111219 adopted 12/10/19)
(a) 
Any animal found to be in violation of any provision of this or any other ordinance of the city or other applicable provisions of any state law may be impounded by the city and delivered to an authorized animal shelter for disposition.
(b) 
The animal control officer or any peace officer shall be authorized to capture and impound abandoned stray animals and dogs running at-large and place in an authorized animal shelter. The animal control officer or any peace officer may issue a citation to the owner of the dog whether or not the dog is subsequently impounded.
(c) 
A reasonable effort will be made by the animal control officer to locate the owner of any captured dog, utilizing collar tag identification or other means, and to notify the owner by telephone or personal contact.
(d) 
In the event that an animal is of a vicious nature, and the actions or behavior constitute an immediate threat to the health and safety of any person, or the animal is about to elude capture, the animal control officer or any peace offer shall be justified in immediately destroying the animal by the use of the most reasonable means available at the time.
(e) 
Any animal, whether licensed or unlicensed, which in the professional judgment of the animal control officer or peace officer is in great pain and suffering due to injury from which the animal probably will not recover, or which appears to have rabies, and/or which is at-large and is posing an imminent danger to human beings or to other animals, may be destroyed by the use of the most reasonable means available at the time.
(f) 
Any officer finding an animal in a motor vehicle or trailer in violation of the provisions in this chapter is authorized to obtain a locksmith at the owner’s cost, or break and enter the vehicle if necessary, to remove the animal. Removed animals will be impounded in accordance with this chapter or placed in a veterinary clinic for safekeeping. Owners may claim their animals upon payment of all reasonable charges or fees that accrued for removal and maintenance of the animal, plus impoundment fees charged by the entity holding the impounded animal. At the time the animal is removed from the motor vehicle or trailer, the officer shall leave a written notice bearing their name and title, and the address of the entity where the animal may be claimed. The animal will be retained in accordance to the rules of the entity and may be disposed of by that entity in accordance with their rules and state regulations.
(Ordinance 111219 adopted 12/10/19)
No dogs shall be permitted to run at-large within the city. It shall be unlawful for the owner to allow the dog to run at-large. All dogs shall be confined to the premises owned and under the control of their owners at all time. Dogs on a leash, however, shall not be construed as running at-large, provided such leash is either attached to an immovable object or firmly grasped and at all times within the control of a person physically able to maintain control of the dog.
(Ordinance 111219 adopted 12/10/19)
A person who knows of an animal bite or scratch in an individual or another animal that the person could reasonably foresee as capable of transmitting rabies, or knows of an animal that the person suspects is rabid, shall report the incident and animal to the police department or city offices as soon as possible but not later than twenty-four (24) hours from the time of the incident.
(Ordinance 111219 adopted 12/10/19)
(a) 
The provisions of this chapter and of state law, title 10, chapters 821 through 829 et seq., of the Texas Health and Safety Code, as amended, regarding health and safety of animals shall be enforced by an enforcement officer, and such person shall have the authority to issue citations to persons violating the provisions of this chapter or of state law.
(b) 
For the purpose of discharging the duties imposed by this chapter and to enforce its provision, any officer is empowered at all reasonable times, upon a determination of probable cause and upon presentation of appropriate credentials if possible, to enter any premises upon which an animal is kept or harbored and to demand the exhibition, by the owner of a dog or cat, of the certificate of vaccination. It is further provided that a law enforcement officer may enter, upon a determination of probable cause and upon presentation of appropriate credentials if possible, the premises where an animal is kept in an allegedly cruel or inhumane manner and demand to examine or impound such animal, when in the officer’s opinion, it requires humane treatment.
(c) 
No officer shall, however, enter a private residence for purpose of making an inspection under this chapter without first receiving permission from an occupant of such residence or in an emergency situation and determination of probable cause, or by order of a magistrate or of a court of competent jurisdiction as provided by law. Those enforcing the provisions of this chapter and/or state law shall have the right to pursue and apprehend animals running at-large onto private property while enforcing the provisions of this chapter and shall not be guilty of trespass while doing so.
(d) 
It shall be a violation of this chapter to interfere with an officer in the performance of their duties.
(Ordinance 111219 adopted 12/10/19)
Except as otherwise provided by state law:
(1) 
Any person violating any provision of this chapter shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be punished by a fine not to exceed two thousand dollars ($2,000.00). For a violation of this chapter and state law, the state punishment applies;
(2) 
Each occurrence shall be deemed to be a separate violation; and
(3) 
The city shall be entitled to pursue all other criminal and civil remedies to which it is entitled under the authority of other ordinance or state law.
(Ordinance 111219 adopted 12/10/19)
In accordance with this chapter and state law:
(1) 
If the animal control officer has cause to believe that a dog is a dangerous dog as defined by section 2.01.001 of this chapter and state law, Texas Health and Safety Code subchapter D section 822.041, “dangerous dogs,” the officer may find and declare the dog a dangerous dog;
(2) 
Within seventy-two (72) hours of declaring a dog dangerous, the animal control officer will notify the person owning the dog of its designation as a dangerous dog, and will provide the owner with a copy of this chapter. The notification to the owner will be provided in person or through certified mail return receipt requested. The notification will describe the dog and specify any particular requirements or conditions placed upon the owner of the dog; and
(3) 
The notice shall inform the owner of the dog that they may request, in writing, an appeal of the dangerous dog determination within ten (10) days from the receipt of the certified mail or date of the personal notification of the dangerous dog declaration to contest the finding and designation.
(Ordinance 111219 adopted 12/10/19)
In accordance with this chapter and state law:
(1) 
If the owner of a dog that has been determined dangerous by the animal control officer elects not to appeal that decision, then within thirty (30) days of the expiration of the ten (10) day time period for appeal, the owner shall comply with the requirements listed in this chapter. If the owner of the dog that has been determined dangerous appeals that decision to the municipal court, or other court of jurisdiction, then such owner shall comply with the requirements of this article within thirty (30) days if such determination by the municipal court or other court of jurisdiction is rendered. If the dog is determined to be a dangerous dog, the requirements that must be met are as follows:
(A) 
Register the dangerous dog with the animal control officer;
(B) 
Restrain the dangerous dog at all times on a leash in the immediate control of a person or in a secure enclosure, as specified by state law; and
(C) 
Obtain liability insurance coverage or show financial responsibility in the amount specified by state law.
(2) 
For purposes of this chapter, a person learns that they are the owner of a dangerous dog when:
(A) 
The owner is aware of an attack described in the definitions set forth in section 2.01.001 of this chapter;
(B) 
The owner is informed by the animal control officer or other city official; or
(C) 
A determination is made by the municipal court, or other court of jurisdiction, that the animal is declared a dangerous dog.
(Ordinance 111219 adopted 12/10/19)
(a) 
Appeals from the animal control officer’s determination that the animal is a dangerous dog will be heard by the municipal court or other court of jurisdiction in conformance with state law.
(b) 
The appeal is a civil proceeding for the purpose of affirming or reversing the animal control officer’s determination that the animal is a dangerous dog. If the dog has been impounded, the court judge may waive any and all fees associated with the impoundment and release the dog to its owner upon reversal of the animal control officer’s determination.
(c) 
An owner may further appeal the decision of the municipal or other court of jurisdiction to a county court or county court at law in accordance with section 882.0424 of the Texas Health and Safety Code.
(Ordinance 111219 adopted 12/10/19)