For the purpose of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply, unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning:
Animal.
Any living vertebrate creature or invertebrate creature including but not limited to mammals, reptiles, fish and fowl, but specifically excluding human beings.
Animal control.
The animal control section of the city.
Animal control officer.
Any person designated by the supervisor of animal control to enforce the provisions of this chapter.
Cattery.
Any authorized commercial establishment where three or more cats over four months of age or eleven or more cats over four months of age are kept for boarding or breeding purposes, except veterinary facilities.
Commercial stable.
Any facility where a fee is charged to house, pasture or rent horses or other livestock.
Dangerous wild animal.
A lion, tiger, ocelot, cougar, leopard, cheetah, jaguar, bobcat, lynx, serval, caracal, hyena, bear, coyote, jackal, baboon, chimpanzee, orangutan, gorilla or any hybrid of any animal listed in this definition.
Exotic fowl.
Any avian species that is not indigenous to this state excluding ostriches, emus, and rheas.
Exotic livestock.
Grass-eating or plant-eating, single-hooved or cloven-hooved mammals that are not indigenous to this state and are known as ungulates, including animals from the swine, horse, tapir, rhinoceros, elephant, deer and antelope family.
Kennel.
Any authorized commercial establishment where three or more dogs over the age of four months are kept for breeding or boarding purposes, except veterinary facilities.
Large livestock.
Any member of the domesticated equine family, including horses, ponies, mules, donkeys and burros, and all members of the domesticated bovine family, including but not limited to cows. Large livestock shall also include ostriches, emus and rheas.
Local rabies control authority.
The animal control officer designated by the city council in accordance with section 826.017 of the Texas Health and Safety Code.
Owner.
Any person or group of persons living in the same household, firm or corporation having title to or custody of any animal, or any person who has, harbors, keeps, or causes or permits to be harbored or kept an animal in his or her care or custody, or any person who feeds an animal for seven days, or who allows an animal to remain on or about his or her premises for ten days.
Pen.
Any small place of confinement or enclosure used to contain an animal(s) or livestock.
Restraint.
An animal shall be deemed restrained when it is:
(1) 
Confined on the premises of the owner within a building, walled or fenced enclosure;
(2) 
Fastened or picketed by a lead or chain, not more than 20 feet in length, so as to keep the animal on the owner's premises;
(3) 
Under the control of a person by a leash;
(4) 
On or within a vehicle being driven or parked; or
(5) 
At heel beside a competent person and obedient to that person's command. Minors shall not be considered competent persons.
Running at large.
Not completely confined by a building, wall, or fence of sufficient strength or construction to restrain the animal, except when such animal is on a secured leash or chain not more than 20 feet in length or held in the hands of the owner or keeper, or under the direct supervision of the owner or keeper within the limits of the owner's private property.
Small livestock.
All types of domesticated swine, sheep and goats.
Supervisor of animal control.
The person designated by the city manager to supervise all aspects of animal control.
Vicious animal.
Any individual animal of any species that has on two previous occasions, without provocation, attacked or bitten any person or other animal, or any individual animal which the supervisor of animal control has reason to believe has a dangerous disposition, or any species of animal which the supervisor of animal control has reason to believe has a dangerous disposition likely to be harmful to humans or other animals.
Wild animal.
Any poisonous or dangerous reptile, or any other animal which can normally be found in the wild state, not normally capable of being domesticated, including but not limited to skunks, foxes, raccoons, leopards, panthers, cougars, tigers, lions, lynx, ferrets, and opossums, unless certified for medical, biological, herpetological, or other scientific research or study.
(1984 Code, sec. 3-1; Ordinance 358 adopted 2/28/1984; Ordinance 4-8-97 adopted 4/8/1997; Ordinance 12-10-01 adopted 12/11/2001; Ordinance O-10-18 adopted 7/9/2018; 1997 Code, sec. 90.01)
(a) 
Enforcement of this chapter shall be the responsibility of the supervisor of animal control or any animal control officer.
(b) 
Any animal control officer shall have the authority to issue citations for any violation of this chapter.
(1984 Code, sec. 3-2(a), (b); Ordinance adopted 4/17/1911; Ordinance adopted 5/29/1918; Ordinance 358 adopted 2/28/1984; 1997 Code, sec. 90.02)
(a) 
It shall be unlawful for any person to interfere with any animal control officer in the performance of his or her duties.
(b) 
It is a defense to prosecution under this section that the interference alleged consisted of constitutionally protected speech only.
(1984 Code, sec. 3-2(c); Ordinance adopted 4/17/1911; Ordinance adopted 5/29/1918; Ordinance 358 adopted 2/28/1984; 1997 Code, sec. 90.03)
(a) 
It shall be unlawful for any dog or other animal possessed, kept or harbored to run at large.
(b) 
The supervisor of animal control and animal control officers acting under his or her direction are authorized to impound such animals running at large, other than a cat, and may impound a cat under conditions specified in section 3.01.008.
(1984 Code, sec. 3-3(a), (e); Ordinance 13 adopted 8/6/1902; Ordinance adopted 4/17/1911; Ordinance adopted 5/29/1918; Ordinance 332 adopted 6/24/1980; Ordinance 358 adopted 2/28/1984; 1997 Code, sec. 90.04)
No owner shall possess, harbor or keep more than a total of four dogs and cats over the age of four months or ten puppies or kittens over the age of four months except for a kennel, cattery or veterinary facility.
(1984 Code, sec. 3-3(b); Ordinance 13 adopted 8/6/1902; Ordinance adopted 4/17/1911; Ordinance adopted 5/29/1918; Ordinance 332 adopted 6/24/1980; Ordinance 358 adopted 2/28/1984; 1997 Code, sec. 90.05)
(a) 
Fierce, dangerous or vicious dogs.
The owner shall confine within a building or secure enclosure every fierce, dangerous or vicious dog, and not take such dog out of such enclosure unless such dog is securely muzzled.
(b) 
Female dogs or cats in season.
Every female dog or cat in season shall be confined in a building or a secure enclosure or a veterinary hospital or boarding facility in such a manner that another dog or cat cannot come in contact with it except for controlled breeding purposes.
(1984 Code, sec. 3-3(c), (d); Ordinance 13 adopted 8/6/1902; Ordinance adopted 4/17/1911; Ordinance adopted 5/29/1918; Ordinance 332 adopted 6/24/1980; Ordinance 358 adopted 2/28/1984; 1997 Code, sec. 90.06)
(a) 
Vaccination of dogs and cats required; metal and paper certificates.
All dogs and cats over the age of four months must be vaccinated annually for rabies with an anti-rabies vaccine approved by the department of state health services and administered by a veterinarian licensed by the state. A metal certificate of vaccination with the year of vaccination, a certificate number and the name, address, and phone number of the vaccinating veterinarian or veterinary clinic must be securely attached to a collar or harness that must be worn by the dog or cat at all times. In addition to the metal certificate, a paper certificate must be issued stating the name of owner, the address of the owner, the telephone number of the owner, a description of the animal, the date of vaccination, the number of the metal certificate, and the kind of vaccine used, and signed by the administering veterinarian.
(b) 
Registration procedures and requirements.
(1) 
No owner shall have within the city any dog or cat over four months of age unless such dog or cat is currently registered with animal control. A current metal registration certificate, issued by animal control, must be affixed to the collar or harness and must be worn by the dog or cat at all times. No dog or cat shall be registered until it has a current rabies vaccination.
(2) 
Application for initial issuance or renewal of each registration must be made by the owner, in writing or in person, and must be accompanied by the paper vaccination certificate, and a fee as set forth in the fee schedule in appendix A of this code, unless the animal has been surgically sterilized, and proof of such sterilization is provided. The license fee for such surgically sterilized animals shall be as set forth in the fee schedule in appendix A of this code. If the original current registration certificate is lost or destroyed, the owner may obtain a duplicate from animal control, for a fee as set forth in the fee schedule in appendix A of this code. The registration fee shall be waived for any dog or cat who has its rabies vaccination in conjunction with the firefighter's annual vaccination clinic.
(3) 
Registration certificates shall be issued annually and shall run concurrently with vaccination certificates. Registration certificates must be obtained within 30 days of vaccination. A registration or vaccination certificate shall be valid only for the animal to which it was originally issued.
(4) 
If there is a change of ownership in a dog or cat currently registered with animal control, transfer of registration shall be made upon request of the owner, and there shall be no charge for such transfer.
(5) 
Fee-exempt registrations may be issued for the following:
(A) 
Police department or sheriff's department dogs (not privately owned); and
(B) 
Dogs trained to assist those with impaired hearing or vision.
(6) 
Eligibility for fee-exempt registration does not relieve the owner of his or her responsibility under the provisions of this chapter.
(c) 
Denial of registration.
(1) 
The supervisor of animal control may refuse to register a dog or cat or may revoke a registration issued to any person who has been convicted in a court of law in the state of any of the following:
(A) 
Cruelty to animals as defined in Texas Penal Code section 42.09 or 42.092, inhumane treatment, or negligence to an animal; and
(B) 
Four or more separate and distinct violations of an animal control ordinance of a municipality in the state within a 12-month period.
(2) 
Any person denied such a registration may appeal the refusal to a committee made up of the chief of police or his or her designated representative, the city manager or his or her designated representative, and the city attorney or his or her designated representative. This committee shall uphold or overturn the supervisor of animal control's refusal of registration.
(d) 
Guard dogs.
Every person having care or custody of a dog which has received guard [dog] training must register such dog with the supervisor of animal control. It shall be unlawful for any person having ownership, occupancy or control of any property in the city to permit or hire a guard dog to guard such property without such dog having first been registered with the supervisor of animal control pursuant to this subsection. Any dog which has received guard dog training may be destroyed, if necessary, when such dog is running at large. The owner, keeper, or person in charge of a guard dog shall be subject to the other provisions of this chapter. Registration tags identifying the animal as a guard dog must be worn by such animal at all times, and the animal must be securely muzzled and leashed when not in covered confinement, or fenced, while in actual performance of its duties.
(1984 Code, sec. 3-4; Ordinance 217 adopted 3/13/1962; Ordinance 358 adopted 2/28/1984; 1997 Code, sec. 90.07; Ordinance adopting 2023 Code)
(a) 
Animals subject to impoundment.
The following animals are subject to impoundment:
(1) 
Cats or dogs not exhibiting evidence of being vaccinated or registered, as described in section 3.01.007.
(2) 
Any animal running at large, other than a cat; provided, however, a cat may be impounded under the conditions specified in subsection (b) of this section.
(3) 
Any animal treated in a manner determined by an animal control officer as cruel or inhumane.
(4) 
Any animal that has bitten, scratched or viciously attacked a person, or needs to be placed under observation for rabies, as determined by an animal control officer.
(5) 
Any animal in violation of any provision of this chapter.
(b) 
Right of property owner to confine; notification of animal control.
If any animal named in this chapter is found on the premises of any person, the owner or occupant of the premises shall have the right to confine such animal in a humane manner until he or she can notify animal control to impound the animal. When so notified, it shall be the duty of an animal control officer to have such animal impounded as herein provided.
(c) 
Notification of animal owner by animal control.
Reasonable effort shall be made by animal control to contact the owner of any animal impounded which is wearing current registration or vaccination certificates; however, final responsibility for location of an impounded animal is that of the animal owner.
(d) 
Reclaiming of impounded animals generally.
The owner may resume possession of any animal impounded upon payment of impoundment fees, handling fees, and any veterinary expenses incurred by animal control for the welfare of the animal, and upon compliance with vaccination and registration provisions of this chapter, except where prohibited in subsections (e) and (f) of this section.
(e) 
Reclaiming of animals impounded on grounds of suspicion of cruel or inhumane treatment.
Disposition of animals impounded on the grounds of suspicion of cruel or inhumane treatment shall be by the court of jurisdiction.
(f) 
Reclaiming of animals under rabies quarantine.
If any animal is being held under quarantine or observation for rabies, the owner shall not be entitled to possession until it has been released from such quarantine.
(g) 
Designation of place of impoundment.
The city manager shall select and establish a place for impounding all animals impounded under any provision of this chapter.
(h) 
Disposition of unreclaimed animals generally.
Any animal except vicious, wild, or unvaccinated bite-case animals, not reclaimed by the owners, may be humanely destroyed by animal control after being held 72 hours, except that any animal wearing current registration or vaccination metal certificates shall be held seven days prior to disposition.
(i) 
Disposition of impounded vicious or wild animals.
Any vicious animal impounded, unless there is reason to believe such animal has an owner, may be immediately disposed of as deemed appropriate by the supervisor of animal control. Any impounded wild animal, unless such animal is an endangered species, may be immediately disposed of as deemed appropriate by the supervisor of animal control. Wild animals that are considered endangered species will be immediately reported to and turned over to the state department of parks and wildlife for disposition.
(j) 
Disposition of nursing baby animals.
Any nursing baby animal impounded without the mother, or where the mother cannot or will not provide nutritious milk, may be immediately euthanized by animal control to prevent further suffering of such baby animals.
(k) 
Adoption of impounded dogs and cats.
Any impounded dog or cat not wearing current registration or vaccination certificates may be given up for adoption after 72 hours, except those under quarantine. Any impounded dog or cat wearing a current registration or vaccination certificate may be given up for adoption after being held seven days. If the rightful owner of the animal appears within seven days of adoption, he or she may redeem the animal by paying the adopter all documented expenses incurred, and reasonable board equal to the established daily impoundment rate for the animal.
(l) 
Disposition of animal upon direction of owner.
An owner who no longer wants responsibility for an animal, or who believes an animal to be ill or injured, may sign a written waiver, supplied by animal control, allowing animal to be euthanized in a humane manner; provided that such warmblooded animal has not bitten any human. Such animal that has bitten shall be held for ten days' quarantine except where laboratory examination is provided for.
(m) 
Disposition of injured or ill animals.
Any impounded animal that appears to be suffering from extreme injury or illness may be euthanized or given to a nonprofit humane organization for the purpose of veterinary medical care, as determined by the supervisor of animal control.
(1984 Code, sec. 3-5; Ordinance 13 adopted 8/6/1902; Ordinance adopted 2/2/1911; Ordinance adopted 4/17/1917; Ordinance adopted 5/29/1918; Ordinance 358 adopted 2/28/1984; Ordinance 10-14-98 adopted 10/27/1998; 1997 Code, sec. 90.08)
(a) 
Impoundment fees generally.
Impoundment fees for each impoundment within a 12-month period shall be established from time-to-time by the city council and shall be on file with the city clerk.
(1) 
Fees shall be determined for the following classes:
Class
Description
Class A-1
Surgically sterilized dogs and cats
Class A-2
Dogs and cats
Class B
Small livestock
Class C
Large livestock
Class D-1
Wild animal unconfined
Class D-2
Wild animal confined
(2) 
If proof of surgical sterilization is provided within 15 days from the date an animal is released, the difference in impoundment fees between altered and unaltered animals shall be refunded. Dogs and cats under the age of six months shall be charged the same impoundment fee as sterilized animals. Animals may be exempted from sterilization upon written recommendation from a veterinarian licensed to practice in the state that such sterilization would be harmful or dangerous to the animal, and owners of such animals will be subject to the lower impoundment fee.
(3) 
Animals not listed hereinabove shall be disposed of at the discretion of animal control. Any animal impounded more than four times in a 12-month period will not be released to the owner without the written approval of the supervisor of animal control. Impoundment for such animal will be double the highest fee.
(b) 
Daily handling fee.
A daily handling fee shall be charged for every day or fraction of a day that an animal is held at the animal control facility. The fee shall be based on the class of animal identified in subsection (a) of this section, and shall be established from time-to-time by the city council and shall be on file with the city clerk.
(c) 
Quarantine fee.
The owner of any animal held in quarantine for observation purposes shall be charged a fee established by the city council and on file with the city clerk for every day or fraction of a day the animal is held at the facility. This fee is in addition to any impoundment fee.
(d) 
Adoption procedures.
(1) 
An individual may adopt an animal (dogs and cats only) from the city animal shelter under the following conditions:
(A) 
The animal has been classified as adoptable by the supervisor of animal control;
(B) 
The prospective adopter has proper facilities to care for the animal;
(C) 
The prospective adopter obtains all necessary vaccinations, sterilization and registrations; and
(D) 
The adopter shall pay an adoption fee as set forth in the fee schedule in appendix A of this code.
(2) 
The purchaser of any dog or cat must have it vaccinated, sterilized, and obtain a city license within 30 days after purchase. Proof of sterilization must be shown either the 30th day after the date of the adoption in the case of an adult animal; or; the 30th day after a specified date estimated to be the date an adopted infant female animal becomes six months old or an adopted infant male animal becomes eight months old (HSC chapter 828) by letter signed by the veterinarian who performed the sterilization. Failure to provide a letter may result in the reclamation of the adopted animal by the animal control officer.
(3) 
The supervisor of animal control may refuse to allow a person to adopt an animal whom he or she has reason to believe:
(A) 
Would not be able to obtain a registration certificate under the restrictions of this chapter;
(B) 
Would not have proper facilities to contain or care for the animal as required by this chapter; or
(C) 
Wants the animal for resale or purpose other than pet ownership.
(D) 
Refuses to comply with the vaccination and sterilization requirements.
(1984 Code, sec. 3-6; Ordinance 13 adopted 8/6/1902; Ordinance adopted 4/17/1911; Ordinance adopted 5/29/1918; Ordinance adopted 10/22/1918; Ordinance 358 adopted 2/28/1984; 1997 Code, sec. 90.09; Ordinance O-09-2024 adopted 8/26/2024)
(a) 
Authority to quarantine.
The supervisor of animal control shall have the authority to order quarantine of animals responsible for biting incidents, or suspected of having any zoonotic disease considered to be a hazard to the human or animal population.
(b) 
Animals subject to quarantine; conduct of quarantine.
(1) 
Every animal that bites a human or attacks another animal in an unnatural manner, or has rabies or any other zoonotic disease, or is under suspicion of having rabies or any other zoonotic disease, shall be immediately confined by the owner, who shall promptly notify animal control or an animal control officer of the place where such animal is confined and the reason therefor. The owner shall not permit such animal to come in contact with any other person or animal. The owner shall surrender possession of such animal to animal control on demand for supervised quarantine. Supervised quarantine shall be at the animal shelter, or a veterinary hospital, or by any other method of adequate confinement approved by the supervisor of animal control. The quarantine shall be not less than ten days and shall be under the supervision of a licensed veterinarian, who shall submit to animal control reports on the quarantined animal's physical condition on the first, fifth, and tenth days immediately following the date of bite incident or any of the other above enumerated purposes for quarantine. A release from quarantine may be issued if no signs of rabies or other diseases have been observed during the quarantine period.
(2) 
Any animal quarantined other than at the animal shelter shall be observed by the same veterinarian throughout the entire quarantine period in the same manner as outlined above, and the owner and veterinarian shall immediately notify animal control as to the veterinarian and location of quarantine. Animals being held in quarantine resulting from bite episodes may not be held in quarantine at a veterinarian located more than five miles outside the corporate city limits except with written approval by the supervisor of animal control. If the supervisor orders quarantine other than in the animal shelter or a veterinary hospital, the owner shall be responsible for confining the animal. He or she shall also be required to obtain the same veterinary supervision of the animal and release from quarantine as would be required in a veterinary hospital or at the animal shelter.
(c) 
Violation of quarantine.
The violation of quarantine by any person shall be just cause for seizure and impoundment of the quarantined animal by animal control. It shall be unlawful for any person to interrupt the observation period of any animal for any reason.
(d) 
Investigation of bite reports; killing or removal of biting animal prohibited.
All animal bite reports shall be investigated by animal control. Without the permission of the supervisor of animal control, it shall be unlawful for any person to kill or remove from the city limits any animal that has bitten any person or other animal, or that has been placed under quarantine, except when it is necessary to protect the life of any person or other animal.
(e) 
Disposition of suspected rabid animals.
The supervisor of animal control shall direct the disposition of any animal suspected of being rabid or of having any zoonotic disease considered to be a hazard to any other animal or human being.
(f) 
Surrender of carcass of dead animal suspected of having rabies.
The carcass of any dead animal exposed to rabies or suspected of having been rabid shall, upon demand, be surrendered to animal control.
(g) 
Animals exposed to rabies.
Every animal exposed to rabies shall be immediately confined by the owner, who shall promptly notify animal control of the place where such animal is confined and the reason therefor. The owner shall not permit such animal to come in contact with any person or animal. Any animal exposed to rabies shall be handled in one of the following manners:
(1) 
Humane destruction, with notification to or under the supervision of animal control;
(2) 
If not currently vaccinated, quarantine under veterinary supervision for at least 12 months immediately following exposure; or
(3) 
If currently vaccinated, immediate re-vaccination and quarantine under veterinary supervision for at least 90 days immediately following exposure.
(h) 
Refusal to surrender animal.
No person shall fail to or refuse to surrender an animal for supervised quarantine or humane destruction, as required herein for rabies control, when the demand therefor is made by the supervisor of animal control or officers acting under his or her direction.
(i) 
Notification to animal control upon escape, sickness, or death of quarantined animals.
Any person having possession of or responsibility for any quarantined animal shall immediately notify animal control if such animal escapes, or becomes or appears sick, or dies, and in the case of death of the animal while under quarantine shall immediately surrender the dead animal to animal control for diagnostic purposes.
(1984 Code, sec. 3-7; Ordinance 217 adopted 3/13/1962; Ordinance 358 adopted 2/28/1984; 1997 Code, sec. 90.10)
(a) 
It shall be unlawful for any person to sell, offer for sale, barter, or give away as toys, premiums or novelties, baby chickens or ducklings or other fowl under three weeks old or rabbits under two months old, unless the manner or method of display is first approved by the supervisor of animal control.
(b) 
It shall be unlawful to color, dye, stain or otherwise change the natural color of any chickens, ducklings, other fowl or rabbits, or to possess, for the purpose of sale or to be given away, any of the above-mentioned animals which have been so colored.
(1984 Code, sec. 3-8(a), (b); Ordinance 358 adopted 2/28/1984; 1997 Code, sec. 90.11)
(a) 
It shall be unlawful to keep any wild animal inside the corporate city limits.
(b) 
It shall be unlawful to release or to allow to run at large any wild or vicious animal, or any animal that has known vicious tendencies.
(c) 
It shall be unlawful to own, possess, confine or care for any dangerous wild animal.
(1984 Code, sec. 3-8(c), (d); Ordinance 358 adopted 2/28/1984; Ordinance 12-10-01 adopted 12/11/2001; 1997 Code, sec. 90.12)
(a) 
Authority to destroy if found at large.
Any vicious animal found running at large may be destroyed by any peace officer or animal control officer in the interest of public safety.
(b) 
Authority to require removal from city; appeal from orders to remove.
The supervisor of animal control may order any owner or person having care, control, or custody of any vicious animal to remove such animal permanently from the city. This animal must be removed immediately following receipt of such order, even if an appeal is initiated. This order may be appealed in writing within ten days to a committee made up of the city manager or his or her designated representative, the chief of police or his or her designated representative, and the city attorney or his or her designated representative. Such committee may uphold, reverse, or modify the order given by the supervisor of animal control, and may stipulate restrictions on the animal as a condition to allowing the animal to remain in the city. If the committee upholds the order as given by the supervisor of animal control, the owner or person having care, control or custody shall not bring the animal back inside the city limits.
(c) 
Failure to remove; grounds for impoundment or destruction.
If the person having care, custody, or control of a vicious animal fails to remove such animal, as provided for herein, such animal may be impounded or destroyed.
(d) 
Owner to report disposition and relocation.
The owner or person having care, custody or control of a vicious animal must report the disposition and relocation of such animal to the supervisor of animal control, in writing, within ten days after the expiration date for removal of such animal from the city. Each day thereafter such information is not provided shall constitute a separate offense.
(e) 
Search and seizure warrants authorized.
The supervisor of animal control shall be authorized to obtain a search and seizure warrant if there is reason to believe that an animal ordered removed from the city for being vicious has not been so removed. Such warrant may also be obtained if the owner of such animal that has been involved in a bite incident or is suspected of having rabies or any other zoonotic disease fails to surrender such animal for quarantine purposes or for humane destruction.
(1984 Code, sec. 3-9; Ordinance 358 adopted 2/28/1984; 1997 Code, sec. 90.13)
(a) 
Keeping swine or pot-bellied pigs prohibited.
It shall be unlawful for a person to keep, or cause to be kept, for any purpose whatever, any swine within the city. This shall include pot-bellied pigs.
(b) 
Number of animals.
Any foal, calf, kid or lamb six months of age or older shall be considered to be an adult in determining the number of livestock permitted in a given area. The number of adult small and/or large livestock or combination thereof permitted shall not exceed one adult per one-third acre for the first two acres, and two adults per acre for each additional acre over two acres, excepting stabled animals. The persons in lawful possession of the premises, as owner or tenant, may keep thereon livestock belonging to others, but the limitations as to the number of livestock on the premises and the area and distance requirements of this section shall apply and keeping livestock for others shall not be done as a business in violation of the zoning ordinance.
(c) 
Authority to waive requirements.
In cases involving a scientific or educational program, a nonprofit organization show, exhibition, or humane activity, or animals owned by the city, the supervisor of animal control may waive certain requirements of this section. Any person keeping an animal involved in a scientific or educational program shall furnish to the animal control officer a signed statement by the person in charge of such scientific or educational program [stating] the name of the person keeping the animal, the address of the person keeping the animal, the type of animal being kept, the length of time the animal will be kept and the program for which the animal is being kept.
(d) 
Enclosure.
Any enclosure, pasture, pen, corral or other restrictive area for large or small livestock shall be of sufficient strength and construction so as to keep such livestock confined.
(e) 
Gates.
All gates must be of sufficient strength and construction so as to keep livestock confined.
(f) 
Distance requirements.
It shall be unlawful for any person, firm or corporation to keep on the premises under his, her or its control, within the corporate limits of the city, any small or large livestock in violation of the following restrictions:
(1) 
No more than two small or large livestock shall be kept on the premises unless they are enclosed within a pen or corral, the nearest point of which is at least 100 feet from any human habitation, church, school or business, other than that of the owner's or keeper's living quarters.
(2) 
Not more than three small or large livestock shall be kept on the premises unless they are enclosed with within a pen or corral, the nearest point of which is at least 150 feet from any human habitation, church, school or business other than that of the owner's or keeper's living quarters.
(3) 
Not more than four small or large livestock shall be kept on the premises unless they are enclosed within a pen or corral, the nearest point of which is at least 200 feet from any human habitation, church, school or business other than that of the owner's or keeper's living quarters.
(4) 
Six or more small or large livestock may be kept on the premises as long as they are enclosed within a pen or corral, the nearest point of which is at least 250 feet from any human habitation, church, school or business other than that of the owner's or keeper's living quarters.
(g) 
Male livestock capable of breeding.
Large or small male livestock capable of breeding will be confined in such a manner that such animal will not be dangerous to human beings, and all breeding will be done under the control of the owner, handler, or a licensed veterinarian.
(h) 
Waiver of distance requirements.
Distance requirements may be waived under special circumstances with the approval of the animal control officer.
(1984 Code, sec. 3-10; Ordinance adopted 4/17/1911; Ordinance 108 adopted 6/13/1950; Ordinance 313 adopted -/-/-; Ordinance 328 adopted 6/24/1980; Ordinance 358 adopted 2/28/1984; Ordinance 4-8-97 adopted 4/8/1997; 1997 Code, sec. 90.14)
Fowl and rabbits shall be kept in a secure pen or enclosure that is at least 100 feet from an inhabited dwelling other than the residence of the person keeping such animals.
(1984 Code, sec. 3-11; Ordinance 358 adopted 2/28/1984; Ordinance 4-8-97 adopted 4/8/1997; 1997 Code, sec. 90.15)
The owner or person in possession of animals shall keep yards, pens and enclosures in which animals are confined in such a manner so as not to give off odors offensive to persons of ordinary sensibilities residing in the vicinity, or to breed or attract flies, mosquitoes or other noxious insects or in any manner to endanger the public health or safety.
(1984 Code, sec. 3-12; Ordinance 358 adopted 2/28/1984; Ordinance 4-8-97 adopted 4/8/1997; 1997 Code, sec. 90.16)
The following are established as guidelines for pet and animal care and are not intended to contravene the provisions for animal cruelty contained in the Texas Penal Code.
(1) 
Provision for food, shelter and care.
No owner shall fail to provide his or her animal with sufficient good and wholesome food and water, proper shelter and protection from the weather, veterinary care when needed to prevent suffering, and with humane care and treatment.
(2) 
Abuse of animals; animal fighting.
No person shall beat, cruelly ill-treat, torment, overload, overwork or otherwise abuse an animal, or cause, instigate or permit any dogfight, cockfight, bullfight or other combat between animals or between animals and humans.
(3) 
Abandonment.
No owner shall abandon any animal. Any animal left without proper food, water, or shelter for more than seven days shall be considered abandoned. Animal control shall take any abandoned animal into protective custody until owners of such animals can be located or prosecuted.
(4) 
Duties of person striking animal with motor vehicle.
Any person who, as the operator of a motor vehicle, strikes a domestic animal shall stop at once and shall immediately report such injury or death to the animal's owner. In the event that the owner cannot be ascertained or located, such operator shall at once report the accident to the appropriate law enforcement agency.
(1984 Code, sec. 3-13; Ordinance 358 adopted 2/28/1984; 1997 Code, sec. 90.17)
(a) 
The keeping of exotic animals is prohibited within the corporate limits of the city, except as provided below.
(b) 
Exotic animals may be kept within the corporate limits of the city if approved by a 3/4 vote of the city council.
(c) 
Exotic animals approved by the city council will be required to meet all regulations of this chapter and other stipulations that may be prescribed by the city council.
(d) 
Exotic animals approved by city council will be required to obtain all necessary international, federal, state and local licenses and/or permits, if required.
(Ordinance 4-8-97 adopted 4/8/1997; 1997 Code, sec. 90.18)
(a) 
It shall be unlawful to keep an animal or livestock on a chain or rope placed in a manner that makes it possible to become entangled with the restraints of other animals or livestock or with any other objects.
(b) 
It shall be unlawful to keep any animal or livestock on a chain or rope that is of insufficient length to allow the animal or livestock complete access to food, water and shelter at all times.
(c) 
It shall be unlawful to attach a chain to an animal or livestock in a manner so as to cause injury or discomfort to the animal or livestock.
(d) 
It shall be unlawful to stake a cat outside on a leash, rope, chain or similar apparatus.
(e) 
It shall be unlawful to restrain a dog outside with a chain or tether unless:
(1) 
A person is holding the chain or tether; or
(2) 
The dog's owner or handler remains outside, within 50 feet of the dog, throughout the period of restraint.
(f) 
An owner may not leave a dog outside and unattended by use of a restraint that unreasonably limits the dog's movement:
(1) 
Between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m.;
(2) 
Within 500 feet of the premises of a school; or
(3) 
In the case of extreme weather conditions, including conditions in which:
(A) 
The actual or effective outdoor temperature is below 32 degrees Fahrenheit;
(B) 
A heat advisory has been issued by a local or state authority or jurisdiction;
(C) 
A hurricane, tropical storm, or tornado warning has been issued for the jurisdiction by the National Weather Service.
(g) 
Violations of this section shall be punishable by a penalty of up to $2,000.00 per violation.
(Ordinance O-16-13 adopted 10/8/2013; 1997 Code, sec. 90.19)
(a) 
Authorized.
Feral cat colonies shall be permitted and feral cat colony caretakers shall be entitled to maintain and care for feral cats by providing food, water, shelter and other forms of sustenance, provided the feral cat colonies are registered with the animal services department.
(b) 
Registration.
Each feral cat colony within the city limits must be registered annually with the animal services department. This registration shall include:
(1) 
The name and contact information for the primary colony caretaker;
(2) 
The location of the feral cat colony;
(3) 
The number of cats in the colony;
(4) 
Documentation showing the number of cats that have been microchipped, spayed or neutered, and vaccinated in the colony in the past year.
(c) 
Caretaker responsibilities.
(1) 
Registering the colony with the animal services department.
(2) 
Taking all appropriate and reasonable steps to have the colony population vaccinated for rabies.
(3) 
Taking all appropriate steps to have the colony population spayed or neutered by a licensed veterinarian.
(4) 
Providing food, water and, if feasible, shelter for colony cats.
(5) 
Obtaining proper medical attention for any colony cat that appears to require it.
(6) 
Obtaining written authorization from the appropriate property owner to enter on to private property to provide colony care.
(d) 
Withdrawal of caretaker.
In the event a registered caretaker is unable or unwilling to continue their duties with a colony, the caretaker must notify the animal services department in writing. If no replacement caretaker is readily available, the animal control officer will determine the disposition of the abandoned feral cat colony.
(Ordinance O-16-13 adopted 10/8/2013; 1997 Code, sec. 90.20)
(a) 
No person shall expose any known poisonous substance, including antifreeze, whether mixed with food or not, so that such poisonous substance shall be liable to be consumed by any domestic animal or person. This section is not intended to prohibit the proper use of herbicides, insecticides, or rodent control materials.
(b) 
No person shall expose an open trap of a metal jaw type that shall be liable to injure any domestic animal or person; however, this shall not preclude use of humane box traps.
(c) 
The city shall maintain, for use by persons in the city upon application, animal traps for the capture of animals running loose in the city.
(d) 
Any person desiring to use an animal trap belong to the city shall be charged a deposit in the amount set forth in the fee schedule in appendix A of this code.
(e) 
The applicant shall be responsible for and shall take care of, in an ordinary prudent manner, any animal trap used by him. Upon return of the animal trap to the animal control officer without damage other than reasonable normal wear and tear, the deposit held by the city shall be refunded to the trapper.
(f) 
The person applying for and using the trap shall be responsible for picking up and returning the trap, and shall also be responsible for the setting of and the operation of the animal trap. If an animal is trapped, the city shall pick up the trap and the trapped animal, and the deposit shall then be returned to the trapper.
(g) 
A trap checked out shall be returned on or before ten days after issuance, or the applicant shall reapply on or before ten days after issuance of a trap for an additional ten-day period of use.
(h) 
Any person desiring to trap nuisance animals with traps not obtained from the city shall apply for a trapping permit with the animal control officer. All traps must be humane box traps, and must be inspected and approved by the animal control officer prior to use. Any animals trapped must be reported to the animal control officer for proper disposal.
(i) 
Any person caught trapping animals within the city limits without a permit is subject to a penalty of up to $2,000.00 per violation.
(Ordinance O-16-13 adopted 10/8/2013; 1997 Code, sec. 90.21; Ordinance adopting 2023 Code)