(a) 
It shall be unlawful for any person or owners in control of any vicious or dangerous animal to keep or permit the same in or about any public location within the corporate limits of the city without complying with all requirements of the Texas Health and Safety Code, section 822.042, as amended. In addition, the owner must comply with each of the following local requirements, at the owner’s expense, before the animal is released from the animal control facility:
(1) 
Obtain liability insurance coverage in the amount of at least two hundred and fifty thousand dollars ($250,000.00) to cover damages resulting from an attack by a vicious or dangerous animal causing bodily injury to a person or for damages to any person’s property resulting from keeping of such vicious or dangerous animal. Proof of such certificate of insurance shall be provided annually meeting the above requirements to the animal control department;
(2) 
Register with the city by providing the name and address of the owner; the breed, age, sex, color and any identifying marks of the animal; the location where the animal is to be kept if it is not at the address of the owner; and two (2) color photographs that clearly identify the vicious or dangerous animal;
(3) 
Have the animal sterilized;
(4) 
Construct a cage, pen or enclosure for the vicious or dangerous animal that has secure sides; a secure top attached to the sides; and a secure bottom which is either attached to the sides or else the sides of the structure must be embedded in the ground no less than two (2) feet. The pen or enclosure must be completely encircled by a fence constructed in such a manner as to prevent a person or child from being able to reach the animal’s pen or enclosure;
(5) 
Not allow the animal to go outside its cage, pen or enclosure unless the animal is under physical restraint. No person shall permit a vicious or dangerous animal to be kept outside of its cage, pen, or enclosure on a chain, rope, or other type of leash unless a person is in physical control of the chain, rope, or leash and the person is of competent strength to control the animal at all times. Vicious or dangerous animals shall not be leashed to inanimate objects, such as trees, posts, buildings, etc. All dangerous animals outside their cage, pen, or enclosure must be securely fitted with a muzzle that will not cause injury to the animal nor interfere with its vision or respiration but shall prevent the animal from biting other animals or human beings;
(6) 
Post signs giving notice of a vicious or dangerous animal on the premises in which such animal is confined. Such signs shall be conspicuously posted at both the front and rear property entrances and shall bear letters not less than two (2) inches high, stating “DANGEROUS ANIMAL ON PREMISES.” Such signs shall also display a symbol that is that is understandable by small children, that warns of the presence of a vicious or dangerous animal;
(7) 
Attach a fluorescent orange tag provided by the animal control department to the animal’s collar that is worn at all times so that the animal can be easily identified;
(8) 
Implanting a microchip into the animal, which is compatible with scanning equipment used by the animal control department, and register it for life with the city’s animal control department and a recognized national animal registry;
(9) 
Pay the appropriate dangerous animal permit fee annually, not later than five (5) days prior to the annual expiration renewal date;
(10) 
Pay the impoundment and daily care fees accrued during the investigation and any appeal of the vicious or dangerous animal determination process;
(11) 
Present proof of current vaccination or pay the fee for vaccination.
(b) 
In the event the owners or keeper fails or refuses to timely comply with these requirements in accordance with state law, then the animal control officers shall humanely destroy the vicious or dangerous animal.
(Ordinance adopting Code)
(a) 
The owner of a dog commits an offense if such dog is found:
(1) 
Running at large upon any public street, highway, alley, court, square, park, sidewalk, or other public place, ground, or public property within the limits of the city; or
(2) 
Running at large upon any unfenced lot, tract or parcel of land within the corporate limits of the city.
(b) 
The term “at large” as used in this section shall mean not under the control of the owner, either by leash, chain, cord or other suitable material attached to a collar or harness, or not constrained securely within an enclosure or fence. The owner or occupier of the premises where any dog is found in violation of this section shall be presumed to be the owner of such dog.
(c) 
A violation of this section does not require any culpable mental state.
(2000 Code, sec. 5-43)
Any person who shall own or harbor on his premises or in or about any premises under his control any dog which, by loud or unusual barking or howling, shall cause the peace and quiet of the neighborhood or the occupants of nearby premises to be disturbed, or reasonably liable to be disturbed, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.
(2000 Code, sec. 5-44)
If a dog is chained or tethered within the corporate limits of the city, the chain, rope, cable or other restraint device must be a minimum of six (6) feet in length. The restraint device must be attached to a comfortable collar around the dog’s neck. The restraint device must not be so heavy as to impede the movement of the animal.
(2000 Code, sec. 5-45)
A person having charge or custody of an animal shall not place or confine such animal or allow such animal to be placed or confined in a motor vehicle or trailer under such conditions or for such a period of time as may endanger the health of the animal due to heat, lack of food or water, or such other circumstances as may cause injury or death of the animal. City enforcement agents finding an animal being held in violation of this provision may obtain a search warrant from [a] municipal court judge or justice of the peace pursuant to section 821.022 of the Health and Safety Code and may impound such animal pending a hearing. If, after making a reasonable attempt to locate the owner of the vehicle, it is reasonably apparent under the circumstances to the animal control officer or law enforcement officer that an animal left in a vehicle or trailer will sustain life threatening injury or death from being left in the vehicle or trailer before a warrant can be obtained, the animal control officer shall contact the necessary law enforcement agency for assistance in removing the animal from the vehicle or trailer and taking the animal into the custody of the animal control officer. Once in the animal control officer’s custody, the animal’s owner shall redeem the animal in accordance with the terms and provisions of this article regarding impounding of animals. The owner of the vehicle shall be responsible for any damage caused by the removal of the animal from the vehicle or trailer. Neither the animal control officer, law enforcement officer nor the city shall be held responsible for damages that may occur from the removal of an animal from a vehicle or trailer pursuant to this section.
(Ordinance 22-3729, secs. 8–9, adopted 5/19/22)