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)
(a) 
Every person who owns, controls, keeps, maintains or harbors any pigeons in the city shall at all times keep them confined in proper cages; provided that pigeons bearing a seamless leg band issued by a recognized association of pigeon fanciers may be released for exercise or performance upon the condition that the owner or person who has possession of such pigeons shall not permit them to alight on buildings or property of others, and that such seamless banded homing pigeons shipped or transported to the city may be released within the city for the purpose of engaging in a pigeon race.
(b) 
It shall be the duty of every person raising or keeping pigeons to keep such fowl in a coop or enclosure, and such coop or enclosure shall be kept at a distance of at least twenty (20) feet from every building or structure used for sleeping, dining or living; provided that this subsection shall not apply to the owner of the pigeons.
(c) 
An individual who feels that the pigeons are a “nuisance” may seek relief under article 8.02 of the city code, entitled “Nuisances Generally.”
(d) 
Animal control personnel shall be allowed to enter the premises where pigeons are kept at all reasonable times so that an inspection may be completed.
(2000 Code, sec. 5-13)
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)