For the purposes of this article, and as used herein, the following terms shall have the meaning in this section given them:
Animal.
A living being of the biological kingdom Animalia, having a capacity for spontaneous movement and rapid motor response to stimulation, and not of a species having a capacity for articulate speech.
At large.
Off the premises of the owner and not under the complete control of the owner by leash, halter, cage, or other means of confinement.
Fowl.
A bird of any kind.
Keep.
To retain on the premises by any means; to harbor, control, own, or have custody or possession of.
Maintain.
To feed, shelter, protect, provide for or bear the expense of.
Owner.
Any person, firm, association, partnership or corporation owning, keeping, in charge of, in control of, maintaining or harboring one or more animals or fowl.
Person.
Any natural person, corporation, partnership, association, firm or legal entity.
Wild animal.
Any animal or reptile which, in its natural state, possesses dangerous or vicious propensities, and includes but is not limited to coyotes, wolves, bears, wildcats (puma, bobcat, lynx), lions, tigers, poisonous snakes, alligators, crocodiles, and monkeys, whether or not said animal or reptile has been tamed.
(Ordinance 12-11-08, sec. 6-1, adopted 12/11/08; Ordinance 12-11-08, sec. 6-1, adopted 1/15/09; Ordinance 12-11-08, sec. 6-1, adopted 7/9/09; Ordinance 12-11-08, sec. 6-1, adopted 12/12/13)
(a) 
Sections 2.04.004 through 2.04.006 and 2.04.009 of this chapter shall not apply to:
(1) 
Veterinarians keeping animals or fowl at the veterinarian’s regular place of business during periods of time said animals or fowl are being treated for disease, or injury, or observed in the course of such treatment;
(2) 
Animals or fowl kept, maintained and used in the course of medical, educational or scientific research at an established business location or under conditions approved by the department of animal control;
(3) 
Circuses, traveling shows, zoos and auction barns operating under permit or sanction of the city;
(4) 
Animals or fowl which, because of injury or age, require temporary care, provided that such animal or fowl shall not be kept for a period of time exceeding thirty (30) days, and shall not be kept or raised for sale, barter or consumption; provided, further, that this exemption shall not apply to wild animals;
(5) 
Animals and fowl, such as baby chickens, rabbits, pigeons and ducks, kept at an established place of business dealing in farm and ranch supply and which animals or fowl are domesticated and marketable for human consumption; provided that said animals or fowl are kept and maintained in an enclosure which is dry, sanitary, cleaned regularly and free of accumulations of odor-causing debris and fecal matter.
(b) 
Section 2.04.006 of this chapter shall not apply to animals, fowl and bees kept and maintained on “agriculturally” zoned land provided the land is in a tract of ten (10) acres or more, and the animals, fowl or bees are not within a distance of one hundred (100) feet of the residence of any person not the owner of the animals, etc.
(Ordinance 12-11-08, sec. 6-14, adopted 12/11/08; Ordinance 12-11-08, sec. 6-14, adopted 1/15/09; Ordinance 12-11-08, sec. 6-14, adopted 7/9/09; Ordinance 12-11-08, sec. 6-14, adopted 12/12/13)
It shall be unlawful for any person to keep any swine within the limits of the city, except that swine may be kept in a pen or enclosure situated upon a tract of land containing at least ten (10) acres which is zoned “agricultural,” and further provided the pen or enclosure is located a distance not less than five hundred (500) feet from the nearest property line of the tract upon which the swine are kept and maintained.
(Ordinance 12-11-08, sec. 6-2, adopted 12/11/08; Ordinance 12-11-08, sec. 6-2, adopted 1/15/09; Ordinance 12-11-08, sec. 6-2, adopted 7/9/09; Ordinance 12-11-08, sec. 6-2, adopted 12/12/13)
(a) 
The maintenance, keeping or possession of wild animals within the limits of the city is prohibited, unlawful, and is hereby declared to be a nuisance.
(b) 
Dangerous wild animals, as defined in V.T.C.A., Health and Safety Code, section 822.101, shall be regulated in accordance with the provisions of V.T.C.A, Health and Safety Code, chapter 822, subchapter E, section 822.101 et seq.
(Ordinance 12-11-08, sec. 6-3, adopted 12/11/08; Ordinance 12-11-08, sec. 6-3, adopted 1/15/09; Ordinance 12-11-08, sec. 6-3, adopted 7/9/09; Ordinance 12-11-08, sec. 6-3, adopted 12/12/13; Ordinance adopting Code)
It shall be unlawful for any person to have more than 3 snakes or reptiles at any one time. All snakes and reptiles must be kept in a cage and under control of the owner.
(Ordinance 12-11-08, sec. 6-4, adopted 12/11/08; Ordinance 12-11-08, sec. 6-4, adopted 1/15/09; Ordinance 12-11-08, sec. 6-4, adopted 7/9/09; Ordinance 12-11-08, sec. 6-4, adopted 12/12/13)
It shall be unlawful for any person to keep or maintain any guinea fowl, horses, mules, donkeys, cattle, goats, sheep, chickens, turkeys, geese, ducks or pigeons in any pen, yard, enclosure, barn, building or other place within the city limits within one hundred fifty (150) feet of the residence of any person other than the owner or keeper, and it shall be unlawful for any person to keep bees and beehives within three hundred (300) feet of the residence of any person other than the owner or keeper.
(Ordinance 12-11-08, sec. 6-5, adopted 12/11/08; Ordinance 12-11-08, sec. 6-5, adopted 1/15/09; Ordinance 12-11-08, sec. 6-5, adopted 7/9/09; Ordinance 12-11-08, sec. 6-5, adopted 12/12/13)
Every person keeping or maintaining any guinea fowl, rabbits, hares, horses, mules, donkeys, cattle, goats, sheep, chickens, turkeys, geese, ducks, pigeons, animal or fowl shall keep the same in a pen, cage or enclosure which is maintained in a clean, dry, sanitary condition so that the same shall not create foul or offensive odors, or create a health hazard.
(Ordinance 12-11-08, sec. 6-6, adopted 12/11/08; Ordinance 12-11-08, sec. 6-6, adopted 1/15/09; Ordinance 12-11-08, sec. 6-6, adopted 7/9/09; Ordinance 12-11-08, sec. 6-6, adopted 12/12/13)
It shall be unlawful for any person to suffer or permit any guinea fowl, rabbits, hares, horses, mules, donkeys, cattle, goats, sheep, chicken, turkeys, geese, ducks, pigeons, animals or fowl to run or be at large upon the public streets, avenues or alleys of the city, or on the premises of any person other than the owner of said animals or fowl and the premises not being in the possession or control of the owner of said animals or fowl.
(Ordinance 12-11-08, sec. 6-7, adopted 12/11/08; Ordinance 12-11-08, sec. 6-7, adopted 1/15/09; Ordinance 12-11-08, sec. 6-7, adopted 7/9/09; Ordinance 12-11-08, sec. 6-7, adopted 12/12/13)
No person shall keep or maintain rabbits or hares within one hundred fifty (150) feet of the residence of any person other than the owner or keeper thereof; provided that, when kept in a clean, dry, sanitary and odor-free cage, and the feed is stored in rodent-proof containers, not more than two (2) rabbits may be kept and maintained, as pets, in a pen or cage which is not closer than twenty-five (25) feet to the nearest property line of the lot, tract or parcel on which said pen or cage is located.
(Ordinance 12-11-08, sec. 6-8, adopted 12/11/08; Ordinance 12-11-08, sec. 6-8, adopted 1/15/09; Ordinance 12-11-08, sec. 6-8, adopted 7/9/09; Ordinance 12-11-08, sec. 6-8, adopted 12/12/13)
It shall be unlawful for any person to keep or maintain any animal or fowl in a pen, cage or enclosure in, near, or on a creek or stream within the city and cause or contribute to the pollution of said creek or stream by permitting drainage from said pens, cages or enclosures, fecal matter or urine to enter said creek or stream. No pigs or hogs shall be permitted or allowed to have access to, to enter, or to water in a creek or stream within the city.
(Ordinance 12-11-08, sec. 6-9, adopted 12/11/08; Ordinance 12-11-08, sec. 6-9, adopted 1/15/09; Ordinance 12-11-08, sec. 6-9, adopted 7/9/09; Ordinance 12-11-08, sec. 6-9, adopted 12/12/13)
It shall be unlawful for any person, whether for himself or as the agent or servant for another or others, to keep or to be interested or concerned or connected with the keeping of any horses, hogs, cattle, sheep, goats or other animals in any barn, pen or lot in the city that is less than two hundred (200) feet from any city wells from which the city obtains its principal water supply.
(Ordinance 88-8, art. A, sec. 1, adopted 7/11/89)
Any person fourteen (14) years of age, or more, who shall willfully kill or injure any wild bird, remove the eggs or young from the nest of a wild bird, or in any manner destroy the eggs or young of a wild bird, save and except the pigeon, English sparrow, grackles and blackbirds, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.
(Ordinance 12-11-08, sec. 6-10, adopted 12/11/08; Ordinance 12-11-08, sec. 6-10, adopted 1/15/09; Ordinance 12-11-08, sec. 6-10, adopted 7/9/09; Ordinance 12-11-08, sec. 6-10, adopted 12/12/13)