(a) 
It is hereby declared to be a public nuisance that an owner or other person harbors, keeps or maintains a dangerous animal other than a dog in the city unless the owner complies with the requirements of this article.
(b) 
It is hereby declared to be a public nuisance that an owner or other person who harbors, keeps, or maintains in the city or brings to the city an animal other than a dog that has been declared dangerous outside of the city under one or more of the following:
(1) 
Chapter 822 of the Texas Health and Safety Code;
(2) 
A local law or ordinance adopted in accordance with chapter 822 of the Texas Health and Safety Code; or
(3) 
A statute or ordinance that is substantially similar to chapter 822 of the Texas Health and Safety Code and that was adopted by a political subdivision outside of the state.
(Ordinance 11-040 adopted 7/11/11)
(a) 
A person learns that the person is the owner of a dangerous animal when:
(1) 
The owner knows of an attack as described in section 2.01.001, definition of “dangerous animal”; or
(2) 
The owner is informed by the animal control officer that the animal is a dangerous animal.
(b) 
If a person reports an incident described in section 2.01.001, definition of “dangerous animal,” the animal control officer may investigate the incident. If, after receiving the sworn statements of any witnesses, the animal control officer determines that the animal is a dangerous animal, he or she shall notify the owner of that fact.
(c) 
An owner, not later than the fifteenth day after the date the owner is notified that an animal owned by the owner is a dangerous animal, may appeal the determination of the animal control officer to municipal court. An owner may appeal the decision of the municipal court in the same manner as other appeals from municipal court.
(2001 Code, sec. 90.61)
Not later than the thirtieth day after a person learns that the person is the owner of a dangerous animal, the person shall:
(1) 
Register the dangerous animal with the animal control officer;
(2) 
Restrain the dangerous animal at all times on a leash in the immediate control of a person or in a secure enclosure as described in section 2.01.001, “secure enclosure;”
(3) 
Further secure the dangerous animal with a muzzle in a manner that will not cause injury to the animal nor interfere with its vision or respiration but shall prevent it from biting any person or animal when the dangerous animal is taken off the property of the owner for any reason;
(4) 
Obtain liability insurance coverage or show financial responsibility in an amount of at least one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000) to cover damages resulting from an attack by the dangerous animal causing bodily injury to a person and provide proof of the required liability insurance coverage or financial responsibility to the animal control officer;
(5) 
Provide the dangerous animal with a fluorescent yellow collar visible at fifty (50) feet in normal daylight so that the animal can be identified;
(6) 
Sterilize the dangerous animal; and
(7) 
Microchip the dangerous animal for its life with a national registry, and present proof to the animal care and control manager. The owner of the dangerous animal shall microchip the animal by implanting a microchip identification device on the animal within seven (7) calendar days after being notified by the animal control officer or by the municipal court that such animal is dangerous. The cost of the service shall be at the owner’s expense.
(2001 Code, sec. 90.62)
If the owner of an animal determined to be dangerous under this article fails or refuses to comply with all the requirements specified in section 2.06.003, the animal shall be seized by the animal control officer and euthanized by the animal control officer or his or her authorized agent or a licensed veterinarian.
(2001 Code, sec. 90.63)
(a) 
The animal control officer shall annually register a dangerous animal if the owner presents proof of:
(1) 
Liability insurance or financial responsibility as required in section 2.06.003;
(2) 
Current rabies vaccination of the dangerous animal if such vaccination is available for the species;
(3) 
The secure enclosure in which the animal will be kept; and
(4) 
Payment of an annual registration fee as set forth in the city fee schedule.
(b) 
The animal control officer shall provide to the owner registering a dangerous animal a registration tag. The owner must place and maintain the tag on the animal’s collar.
(c) 
The owner of a dangerous animal shall notify the animal control officer within twenty-four (24) hours if the dangerous animal is at large, unconfined, has attacked a human being or another animal, has died, or has been sold or given away. If the animal has been sold or given away, the former owner shall provide the animal control officer with the name, address, and telephone number of the new owner. If the new owner’s address is in the city or if the animal is kept in the city, the animal control officer shall notify the new owner by certified mail, return receipt requested, or in person that the animal has been determined to be a dangerous animal and provide the new owner a copy of the requirements contained in this chapter concerning dangerous animals. The new owner must be given notice to comply with the requirements for owners of dangerous animals, if the animal is physically located for any time within the city. It shall be unlawful for new owners to fail to comply with any requirement of section 2.06.003 and section 2.06.004. The same reporting requirements are imposed on any and all subsequent owners of the dangerous animal.
(2001 Code, sec. 90.64)
(a) 
A person commits an offense if the person is the owner of a dangerous animal other than a dog and the animal makes an unprovoked attack on a person or another animal outside the animal’s enclosure and causes bodily damage to the person or other animal.
(b) 
An offense under this section is a class C misdemeanor, unless the attack causes serious bodily injury or death, in which event the offense is a class A misdemeanor.
(c) 
If a person is found guilty of an offense under this section, the court may order the dangerous animal destroyed by the animal control officer or a licensed veterinarian.
(d) 
In addition to criminal prosecution, a person who commits an offense under this section is liable for a civil penalty not to exceed ten thousand dollars ($10,000). The city attorney may file suit in a court of competent jurisdiction to collect the penalty. Penalties collected under this subsection (d) shall be retained by the city.
(2001 Code, sec. 90.65)
(a) 
A person who owns or keeps custody or control of a dangerous animal commits an offense if the person fails to comply with the provisions of this chapter.
(b) 
Violation of any section concerning dangerous animals other than a dog is punishable by a fine not to exceed five hundred dollars ($500.00).
(2001 Code, sec. 90.66)
It is a defense to prosecution under section 2.06.006 or section 2.06.007 that the person is a veterinarian, a peace officer, a person employed by a recognized animal shelter or person employed by the state or a political subdivision of the state to deal with stray animals, and that the person has temporary ownership, custody or control of the animal; provided, however, that for any person to claim under this section, that person must be acting within the course and scope of his or her official duties as regards to the dangerous animal.
(2001 Code, sec. 90.67)