Animal control officers or other designees of the chief of police
shall be the enforcement officials for this chapter. These officials,
along with police officers, shall have the authority to act on behalf
of the city and animal control in investigating complaints, impounding
and destroying animals, issuing citations/summons, and taking other
lawful actions as required, to enforce the provisions of this chapter.
(Ordinance 10-003-00 adopted 3/4/10)
It shall be unlawful for any person to interfere with any animal
control officer or other enforcement official in the performance of
his/her duties.
(Ordinance 10-003-00 adopted 3/4/10)
Upon attack by an animal, an animal control officer or police
officer can defend themselves or citizens, at his or her discretion,
taking such reasonable means as he or she deems necessary in that
situation.
(Ordinance 10-003-00 adopted 3/4/10)
For purposes of discharging the duties imposed by this chapter,
and to enforce the same, an animal control officer or other authorized
representative may enter upon private property to the full extent
permitted by law, which shall include but not be limited to entry
upon private property when in pursuit of any animal which he or she
has reason to believe is subject to impoundment pursuant to the provisions
of this chapter or other applicable laws. An animal control officer
shall have the right to pursue and apprehend an animal which is at
large onto private property without first requesting permission from
the owner of the property before entering the property or without
obtaining a search warrant.
(Ordinance 10-003-00 adopted 3/4/10)
Whenever it is necessary to make an inspection to enforce any
of the provisions of or to perform any duty imposed by this chapter
or other applicable law regarding animals or whenever an animal control
officer has reasonable cause to believe that there exists in any building
or structure or upon any premises any violations of this chapter or
other applicable law, the officer is hereby authorized to enter such
property at any reasonable time and to inspect the same and to perform
any duty imposed upon the officer by this chapter or other applicable
law; provided that, if such property be occupied, the officer shall
first present proper credentials to the occupant and request to enter,
explaining the reason therefor, and obtain permission from said occupant.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the officer has reasonable cause
to believe that the keeping or the maintaining of any animal is so
hazardous, unsafe or dangerous as to require immediate inspection
to safeguard the animal or the public health or safety, the officer
shall have the right to immediately enter and make such inspection,
whether or not permission to inspect has been obtained. If the property
is occupied, the officer shall first present proper credentials to
the occupant and demand entry, explaining the reasons therefor and
the purpose of inspection. Whenever an animal control officer is denied
admission to inspect any premises under this chapter and the officer
cannot determine whether violations exist on the premises, the animal
control officer is authorized to request a warrant for the inspection
of the premises from the municipal judge, a magistrate, or justice
court to enter and inspect the premises.
(Ordinance 10-003-00 adopted 3/4/10)
The chief of police shall appoint a senior animal control officer
and such assistants as may be required to enforce this chapter.
(Ordinance 10-003-00 adopted 3/4/10)
The senior animal control officer appointed by the chief of
police is hereby designated as the local health authority for the
purposes of chapter 826, Texas Health and Safety Code (Rabies Control
Act of 1982), and shall be responsible for performing duties and responsibilities
provided therein.
(Ordinance 10-003-00 adopted 3/4/10)
