It is unlawful for an animal owned by an individual or entity to be at-large.
(Ordinance 15-12 adopted 5/23/16; 2006 Code, sec. 2.201; Ordinance 21-05 adopted 4/12/2021)
A town resident may surrender their animal or an animal they have kept to the town animal shelter. Fees for such services rendered shall be as set forth in the fee schedule in appendix A of this code.
(Ordinance 15-12 adopted 5/23/16; 2006 Code, sec. 2.202)
A town resident may request the animal control officer to dispose of their deceased dog or cat within 24 hours of its death. The animal control officer is not responsible for the removal of an animal from under homes, attics, swimming pools, or other difficult to reach areas.
(Ordinance 15-12 adopted 5/23/16; 2006 Code, sec. 2.203; Ordinance 21-05 adopted 4/12/2021)
No more than five (5) dogs over four (4) months of age will be permitted at any one address. No person may keep or maintain more than one litter at any one address. This section does not apply to a permitted kennel.
(Ordinance 15-12 adopted 5/23/16; 2006 Code, sec. 2.204; Ordinance 21-05 adopted 4/12/2021)
No person shall tether a dog except while temporary repairs are being made to an enclosure or fence, or for a short period if the owner is with the dog but unable to physically restrain it.
(Ordinance 15-12 adopted 5/23/16; 2006 Code, sec. 2.205)
(a)
Permit required; revocation; applicability of state law.
(1)
Permit required.
It shall be unlawful for any person to possess or maintain any dangerous dog or wild animal in the town without obtaining a permit and paying the registration fee as provided in the fee schedule, found in appendix A of this code.
(2)
Applicability of state law.
Dangerous dogs shall be regulated in accordance with chapter 822 of the Texas Health and Safety Code.
(b)
Issuance of permit; issuance restricted.
(1)
A permit for the possession of a wild animal may only be issued to:
(A)
A zoo open to the public;
(B)
A research institution or licensed laboratory;
(C)
Educational researchers belonging to an educational or research society approved by the town manager or their designee;
(D)
An individual or a nonprofit animal rehabilitation organization permitted by the state parks and wildlife department;
(E)
A public, private primary, secondary school program; or
(F)
A licensed animal exhibition, amusement park, rodeo, or circus of which the animal is an integral part.
(2)
The issuance of a dangerous animal or wild animal permit shall be in accordance with chapter 822 of the Texas Health and Safety Code. A permit does not relieve the permit holder from compliance with the town’s zoning ordinance or any other ordinance, regulation or law.
(c)
Conditions of permit.
The animal control officer shall issue a dangerous animal or wild animal permit, subject to the following conditions:
(1)
Proof of insurance against damage to property or injury to others from dangerous animals in the amount of at least $1,000,000.00 per permit must be filed with the application.
(2)
The application form must include the following statement, to be signed by the applicant: “I accept total and complete responsibility for harm to a person or property which results from an action of the dangerous or wild animal that is the subject of this application.”
(3)
If an owner of a registered dangerous or wild animal sells or moves the animal to a new address within the town, he/she, not later than the fourteenth (14th) day after the sale or move, shall notify the animal control officer.
(4)
The permit shall be posted so that it is visible to the public at the registered owner’s residence where the animal is being kept.
(Ordinance 15-12 adopted 5/23/16; 2006 Code, secs. 2.206–2.208; Ordinance 21-05 adopted 4/12/2021)
(a)
A person may apply for a kennel permit to own or keep more than five (5) dogs for commercial purposes under the following conditions:
(1)
Each dog on the premises must have an annual health certificate issued by a veterinarian indicating that the animal is currently vaccinated, dewormed, and has received medical care for any illness or injury.
(2)
All puppies and kittens shall be vaccinated no later than six weeks of age and have the above-required health certificate by the age of four months.
(3)
There must be sufficient space to allow each animal to make normal postural adjustments without touching the top of the enclosure, including turning freely, standing easily, sitting, stretching, lying in a comfortable position with limbs extended, and moving. Adequate space must be provided for the animal to urinate and defecate without contaminating food or water receptacles.
(4)
The kennel may not be located closer than 50 feet from any property line.
(5)
Property where a kennel is located must be kept pest-free and in a sanitary condition.
(b)
A kennel permit does not relieve the permit holder from compliance with all applicable zoning, noise, nuisance, or state regulations.
(c)
The animal control officer shall make at least two inspections per year of any kennel where animals are kept, to ensure compliance.
(d)
Not including livestock, a person engaged in the sale of any animal must hold a valid and current sales tax permit issued by the state.
(e)
It is unlawful for a person to operate a kennel without a permit issued by the animal control officer.
(Ordinance 15-12 adopted 5/23/16; 2006 Code, sec. 2.209; Ordinance 21-05 adopted 4/12/2021)
A person may not leave an animal unattended in a vehicle or restrained for a period of time that may endanger the animal’s health or life by high temperature, low temperature, or inadequate ventilation.
(1)
The animal control officer may, after attempting to locate the owner of the animal or vehicle, remove the animal from the vehicle or restraint using any reasonable means, including breaking a window or lock.
(2)
If professional services are required to remove the animal, its owner is responsible for the cost.
(3)
The animal control officer may, after attempting to locate the owner of the animal or vehicle, remove the animal from the vehicle or restraint using any reasonable means, including breaking a window or lock.
(4)
An animal removed from a vehicle or restraint shall be impounded upon the discretion of the removing authority.
(Ordinance 15-12 adopted 5/23/16; 2006 Code, sec. 2.210; Ordinance 21-05 adopted 4/12/2021)
No person or entity may keep, on property they own, occupy, or elsewhere, an animal that makes or creates an unreasonable disturbance to the neighbors or occupants of adjacent properties. No person or entity may permit an animal to make or create disturbing noises by howling, barking, crowing or otherwise, either continuously or intermittently, for a period of fifteen or more minutes.
(1)
A person knowingly violates this section if the person fails to correct a disturbance after being notified of the disturbance by a neighbor, the animal control officer or a police officer. Upon a second observation of a disturbance or receipt of a second complaint, the animal control officer may issue a citation to the owner of the animal.
(2)
The municipal court clerk may schedule special animal nuisance hearings in an effort to expedite the resolution of animal nuisance complaints.
(Ordinance 15-12 adopted 5/23/16; 2006 Code, sec. 2.211; Ordinance 21-05 adopted 4/12/2021)
It is unlawful for a person to maintain an animal in such a manner that adjacent properties are subjected to obnoxious odors.
(Ordinance 15-12 adopted 5/23/16; 2006 Code, sec. 2.212)
It is unlawful for an owner, keeper or walker of an animal to permit the animal to discharge feces upon public or private property (other than property of the owner, keeper or walker) within the town unless the person immediately thereafter removes and cleans up the animal feces. It is unlawful for a person owning or keeping an animal to allow its feces to accumulate so as to become a health hazard nuisance.
(Ordinance 15-12 adopted 5/23/16; 2006 Code, sec. 2.213)
The keeping of bees in such a manner as to deny the lawful use of adjacent property or endanger personal health and welfare shall not be allowed.
(Ordinance 15-12 adopted 5/23/16; 2006 Code, sec. 2.214)
A person shall not intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly:
(1)
Torture or beat an animal, or in a cruel manner kill or cause serious bodily injury to an animal;
(2)
Legally kill, administer poison to, or cause serious bodily injury to an animal without the owner's effective consent;
(3)
Fail to provide necessary food, water, care, or shelter for an animal;
(4)
Abandon an animal under the person's custody;
(5)
Transport or confine an animal in a cruel manner;
(6)
Cause an animal to fight with another animal;
(7)
Use an animal as a lure in dog training or in dog coursing on a racetrack;
(8)
Overwork an animal; or
(9)
Use any metal jaw trap, or other trap, snare, or device intended to cause death or injury as a means of capture within town limits.
(Ordinance 15-12 adopted 5/23/16; 2006 Code, sec. 2.215; Ordinance 21-05 adopted 4/12/2021)
No person may sell or offer for sale any animal except on their own private property or from a pet store as defined in the town's unified development ordinance.
(Ordinance 21-05 adopted 4/12/2021)