When used in the city Code of Ordinances, the following words and terms, unless the context indicates a different meaning, shall be interpreted as follows:
Animal.
Any or all animals listed or defined, but not limited to, animals in this chapter.
Animal control officer.
The person designated by the city and/or chief of police as the enforcement officer of city Code of Ordinances regulating animals and owners of animals and for the enforcement of sections of the state statutes pertaining to the care and control of animals.
Animal shelter.
A facility designated and/or operated by the city for the purpose of impounding and caring for animals held under authority of this chapter.
Attack.
An attack in which the animal bites or vigorously shakes its victim, [and the victim,] or a person intervening, has extreme difficulty terminating the attack.
Bite.
A puncture or laceration made by an animal’s teeth, which breaks the skin.
Cat.
Both the male and female of the felis species.
Dangerous dog.
A dog determined dangerous under this code in compliance with state law.
Dog.
Both the male and female of the canine species.
Estray.
Any stray horse, stallion, mare, gelding, filly, colt, mule, jenny, jack, jennet, hog, sheep, goat, confined and domestic hares and rabbits, or any species of cattle.
Injury.
Bodily injury resulting from an attack or bite from an animal which produces severe pain, trauma, or loss of blood or tissue, and which requires medical treatment of wounds inflicted by the animal.
Nuisance.
The conduct of any owner in allowing an animal to:
(1) 
Damage, soil, defile or defecate on private property other than the owner’s or on public property unless such waste is immediately removed and properly disposed of by the owner of the animal;
(2) 
Be “at large” (excluding house cats);
(3) 
Cause a disturbance by excessive barking or noise-making near the private residence of another;
(4) 
Produce odors or unclean conditions sufficient to annoy persons living in the vicinity; or
(5) 
Chase vehicles or molest, attack or interfere with other animals or persons on public property.
Owner.
Any person having title to or custody of or who owns, feeds, keeps, maintains or harbors a dog or cat. Harboring shall include knowingly feeding or allowing a dog or cat to remain on the owner’s premises.
Poultry.
All domesticated fowl and all game birds which are legally kept in captivity.
Quarantine.
A period of ten days used for observation of a domestic or pet animal to determine the health status of that animal in relation to the rabies virus.
Quarantine by owner.
An owner who quarantines with animal control permission under the following conditions:
(1) 
The animal must have a current rabies vaccination and be registered with the city;
(2) 
The animal must be inside an enclosed structure, i.e., house or garage, and must remain there for ten days;
(3) 
If maintained outside, the animal must be behind a fence from which it cannot escape or inside a covered pen or kennel from which it cannot escape;
(4) 
The animal must be kept away from other animals and people except those in the immediate household;
(5) 
The animal may not be removed from the city limits while under quarantine;
(6) 
The owner shall notify animal control immediately if the animal is sick or displays any behavioral changes;
(7) 
The owner shall not subject the animal to any medical procedure without first notifying the animal control officer. This includes any vaccination;
(8) 
No animal that is at large or unleashed at the time of exposure may be quarantined by the owner;
(9) 
The owner must allow the animal control officer to view and confirm the health of the animal daily during the rabies quarantine period.
Rabies vaccination.
The vaccination of a dog, cat or other domestic animal with an anti-rabies vaccine approved by the department of state health services and administered by a veterinarian licensed by the state.
Restrained.
A dog shall be deemed restrained when it is:
(1) 
Confined on the premises of the owner within a building or walled or fenced enclosure;
(2) 
Fastened or picketed by a lead or chain, not more than twenty (20) feet in length and of such strength that it cannot break loose so as to keep the dog on the owner’s premises, and it cannot reach a city sidewalk or city easement;
(3) 
Under the control of a competent person on a leash;
(4) 
On or within a vehicle being driven or parked; or
(5) 
At heel beside a competent person and obedient to that competent person’s command. Minors shall not be considered competent persons for this purpose.
Running at large.
(1) 
Off premises:
(A) 
Any animal, except pet cats, which is not restrained by means [of a leash], or other physical apparatus of sufficient strength and length to control such animal while off the owner’s premises. Not restrained, as that term is defined in this section;
(B) 
Any cat which is creating a nuisance off the owner’s property;
(C) 
Any animal, except pet cats, which is allowed to roam the streets, alleys or public grounds of the city.
(2) 
On premises:
(A) 
Any animal, except pet cats, not confined to premises by a substantial fence of sufficient strength and height or restrained by a chain or leash to prevent the animal from escaping therefrom;
(B) 
An animal intruding upon the property of another person other than the owner’s shall be termed “at large.”
Stray animal (including estray).
Any animal, for which there is no identifiable owner or harborer, which is found to be at large within the city.
Unprovoked attack.
Means that the animal was not hit, kicked, teased, molested or struck by a person with an object or part of a person’s body, nor was any part of the animal’s body pulled, pinched or squeezed by a person.
Veterinarian.
Any practitioner of veterinary medicine licensed by the state to practice such in Texas.
Wildlife.
Any animal which occurs naturally in a wild state. This includes any animal which is part wildlife.
(a) 
Any person who intentionally, knowingly, recklessly, or with criminal negligence violates any provision of this code shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction thereof, shall be fined in the amount in accordance with the general penalty provision set forth in section 1.01.009 of this code. Each day in which any violation shall occur or each occurrence of any violation shall constitute a separate offense.
(b) 
An animal control officer or police officer is authorized to issue a citation to any person who violates a provision of this chapter. The citation shall set forth the general nature of the violation charged, and direct the violator to appear in the municipal court of the city on or before a certain day. When the violator is not present, the citation may be issued, a complaint filed, and procedure followed as permitted by law. The violator shall be presumed to be the owner or occupant of the location where an animal is found or located, or the keeper of the animal, when the owner of the animal cannot be verified by a current license or tag.
Fees are as provided by resolution of the city council and are on file in the office of the city secretary.
No person shall remove, alter, damage or otherwise tamper with a trap or equipment belonging to/set out by animal control, or someone else designated by the city.
The animal control officer or authorized representative is authorized to destroy any injured or diseased animal, whether such animal is on public or private property, and the recovery from such injuries or disease is in serious doubt, and reasonable effort has been made to locate the owner of such animal.
It shall be unlawful for any person owning or harboring an animal to permit such animal to run at large as defined under “running at large” under section 2.01.001. If the animal is at large and results in the death of the animal, fines will be doubled. The owner or harborer will be responsible for any damages. The animal control officer or peace officers are authorized to impound any animal mentioned in this chapter which is in violation of this chapter. In the event the animal is on private property or property of the animal’s owner, the animal control officer or peace officer may enter the property, other than inside a private dwelling, for the purpose of impoundment or upon issuance of a citation, or both, subject to the applicable provisions of this chapter and law.
Any unspayed female dog or cat in the state of estrus (heat) shall be confined during such period of time in a house, building or secure enclosure and the area for enclosure shall be so constructed that no other dog or cat may gain access to the confined animals. Owners who do not comply shall be ordered to immediately remove the animal in heat to a veterinary hospital. Failure to comply with the removal order of the animal control officer shall be a violation of this chapter and the dog or cat will then be impounded as prescribed in this chapter. All expenses incurred as a result of this confinement shall be paid by the owner.