It shall be unlawful for any person to keep, harbor or maintain
for any length of time whatsoever any of the following animals or
fowl within the city upon any property zoned other than residential
agriculture or heavy industrial or where otherwise specifically permitted
by the city’s zoning ordinance. In addition, where such animals
are allowed to be kept, harbored or maintained, stables, enclosures,
pens, coops, roosts, or other places wherein the same are so kept,
harbored or maintained shall not be within the following indicated
proximity to any residence or dwelling other than that of the owner
or keeper of such animals or fowl:
(1) Cows,
horses, mules, sheep, goats, jacks, jennets, or other livestock, 200
feet;
(2) Swine
of any type or kind whatsoever, 500 feet;
(3) Fowl
of any type or kind whatsoever, except pigeons, 100 feet.
(Ordinance 22-3729, secs. 4–6,
adopted 5/19/22)
It shall be the duty of any person keeping, harboring or maintaining
any animals or fowl in the city to keep the enclosure, stable, pen,
coop, roost or other place wherein the same are kept, harbored or
maintained in a clean and sanitary condition.
(2000 Code, sec. 5-12)
It shall be unlawful for any person to keep, harbor or maintain
any wild animal within the corporate city limits, except as follows:
(1) If
a person and his or her facility housing such dangerous wild animal(s)
has complied with all applicable federal, state, and local laws and
regulations, including but not limited to the acquisition and retention
of applicable permits, prior to final adoption of this chapter, said
person may retain dangerous wild animal(s) in the above-described
facility in compliance with all federal, state, and local laws, including,
but not limited to, Texas Health and Safety Code, chapter 822, as
amended;
(2) A
governmental agency or entity acting in an official capacity;
(3) A
permitted wildlife educational or scientific research center; or (4)
Animal exhibitions with valid state and federal permits.
(Ordinance adopting Code)
Any person desiring to keep any wild animal for scientific or
educational purposes within the city shall first obtain a permit to
be issued by the senior animal control officer, or his authorized
representative, after due application therefor. The application shall
be on a form furnished by the senior animal control officer, giving
the information required by this division and such additional and
other information as may be required by the senior animal control
officer as necessary to make a determination of whether or not the
permit should be issued.
(2000 Code, sec. 5-17; Ordinance
adopting Code)
The senior animal control officer or his/her authorized representative
shall not approve the issuance of a permit required by the provisions
of this division unless he finds and determines that:
(1) The
keeping of said poisonous snake, poisonous reptile or wild animal
will be maintained within a cage or other enclosure that will prevent
the escape of said poisonous snake, poisonous reptile or wild animal
even in the event of a tornado or other calamity.
(2) The
keeping of said poisonous snake, poisonous reptile or wild animal
is for scientific or educational purposes.
(3) All
adequate precautions pertaining to the keeping of said poisonous snake,
poisonous reptile or wild animal will be maintained to prevent its
or their escape.
(4) The
keeping of said poisonous snake, poisonous reptile or wild animal
in the vicinity where kept will not cause undue concern to inhabitants
of the city or to persons of ordinary sensibilities.
(5) The
poisonous snake, poisonous reptile or wild animal will not be kept
in any part of a residential section of the city.
(2000 Code, sec. 5-18; Ordinance
adopting Code)
Any permits issued under the provisions of this division shall
be cancelled by the senior animal control officer or his/her authorized
representative at any time if he finds that:
(1) Any
person to whom a permit has been issued is maintaining said poisonous
snake, poisonous reptile or wild animal within a cage or other enclosure
that will not prevent the escape of said poisonous snake, poisonous
reptile or wild animal in the event of a tornado or other calamity
which would cause destruction of the property or the cage or enclosure
in which the same is kept;
(2) The
keeping of any poisonous snake, poisonous reptile or wild animal is
not solely for a scientific or educational purpose;
(3) The
keeping of the poisonous snake, poisonous reptile or wild animal is
for the pleasure, satisfaction, enjoyment or profit (or any one of
said reasons) of the permittee;
(4) Adequate
precautions are not being maintained to prevent the escape of the
poisonous snake, poisonous reptile or wild animal;
(5) The
poisonous snake, poisonous reptile or wild animal is being kept in
a vicinity of the city where the keeping of same will cause undue
concern to inhabitants of the city or to persons of ordinary sensibilities;
or
(6) The
poisonous snake, poisonous reptile or wild animal is being kept in
a residential section of the city.
(2000 Code, sec. 5-19; Ordinance
adopting Code)
Any person may appeal any decision of the senior animal control
officer or his/her authorized representative to the city council by
stating, in writing, the nature of the appeal, the decision appealed,
the relief sought, and any other relevant information as requested
by the council.
(2000 Code, sec. 5-20; Ordinance
adopting Code)
If any person, not having a permit issued under the provisions
of this division, keeps, harbors or maintains any poisonous snake,
poisonous reptile or wild animal within the city, the senior animal
control officer or his/her authorized representative may summarily
seize and take possession of the same if he can do so with safety,
and, if he cannot do so with safety, he shall cause said poisonous
snake, poisonous reptile or wild animal to be summarily destroyed.
(2000 Code, sec. 5-21; Ordinance
adopting Code)