(a)
Adoption of state law.
The city expressly adopts section
822.001 et seq. of the Texas Health and Safety Code. The city is further
authorized to administer the provisions necessary to enable the use
of said provisions. Such adoption should in no way be construed to
limit the authority of the city to provide for the safety of the citizenry
in relation to its daily activities.
(b)
Dangerous animals.
The city expressly allows the same
provisions for dangerous animals as are used for dangerous dogs.
(c)
Applicability to guard and attack dogs.
Dogs maintained
lawfully as guard dogs or attack dogs as defined herein shall not
be included in the definition of “wild or dangerous animal.”
As used in this section, the term “guard dog or attack dog”
means any dog intended to attack intruders that has completed professional
training and is certified, or has been comparably trained, such that
its attack can be stopped on command.
(d)
Guard and attack dog warning signs.
It shall be unlawful
for any person to leave any guard or attack dog unattended in any
place inside any building unless a warning sign has been placed in
a clearly visible location at the premises, located so that it can
be seen by any person before entering the place to which the dog has
access, warning that a guard or attack dog is present. It shall be
unlawful for any person to leave any guard or attack dog unattended
in any place outside a building except in a fenced yard, with a fence
adequate to prevent the dog from leaving the premises, and with a
warning sign placed in a clearly visible location at the premises,
located so that it can be seen by any person before entering the place
to which the dog has access, warning that a guard dog or attack dog
is present.
(Ordinance 2006-06-05-013, sec.
2-14(b)–(e), adopted 6/5/06)
(a)
Change of owner.
If the owner of a registered dangerous
animal sells or gives the animal to another person, the owner shall
notify the other person at the time of the sale or gift that the animal
is a registered dangerous animal.
(b)
Registration by new owner.
If a new owner keeps the
animal within the city, he shall register the animal with the city
within ten (10) calendar days after receiving it.
(c)
Re-registration when animal brought into city.
When
the owner of an animal registered as a dangerous animal in another
jurisdiction becomes a resident of the city, he shall register the
animal with the city within ten (10) calendar days after becoming
a new resident.
(d)
Period of validity of re-registration.
A re-registration
shall be valid only for the time remaining on the prior registration.
(e)
Notification to other jurisdictions.
When the city is
informed that a dangerous animal has been moved to another jurisdiction,
or when the city registers a dangerous animal previously registered
in another jurisdiction, the city should notify the animal services
authority for such jurisdiction of this information.
(f)
Notification of attacks.
The owner of a registered dangerous
dog shall notify the city of all attacks made by the dog on domestic
animals and domestic fowl.
(Ordinance 2006-06-05-013, sec.
2-15, adopted 6/5/06)
(a)
Generally.
If impoundment of a dangerous animal is being
attempted away from the premises of the owner and the impoundment
cannot be made with safety, the animal may be destroyed without notice
to the owner or harborer. If an attempt is made to impound a dangerous
animal from the premises of the owner or harborer and the impoundment
cannot be made with safety, the owner or harborer will be given twenty-four
(24) hours’ notice that if said animal is not surrendered to
the city within said twenty-four-hour period then the animal will
be destroyed wherever it is found. After this notice, the dangerous
animal may be destroyed during an attempt to impound if impoundment
cannot be made with safety, wherever the impoundment is attempted.
Notice under this subsection shall be in writing. A written notice
left at the entrance to the premises where the dangerous animal is
harbored will be considered valid notice as of the date and time of
posting. In lieu of surrendering the animal to the city, an owner
may permanently remove said animal from the city, if written proof
of destination is provided to the city and transport is made in compliance
with this chapter.
(b)
Animals not reclaimed by owner.
A dangerous animal impounded
pursuant to this section and not reclaimed by its owner under the
requirements of this section within ten (10) calendar days from the
date of notice of impoundment shall be deemed abandoned and, at the
discretion of the city, euthanized in a humane manner.
(Ordinance 2006-06-05-013, sec.
2-16, adopted 6/5/06)
No dangerous animal shall be returned to its owner at any time
unless authorized by this chapter and all owner’s requirements
are fulfilled.
(Ordinance 2006-06-05-013, sec.
2-17, adopted 6/5/06)
