(a) 
Required.
The owner of each dog or cat more than four (4) months old in the city shall have such dog or cat immunized annually with an anti-rabies vaccine by a person licensed to practice veterinary medicine by the state. Such owner shall obtain from such veterinarian:
(1) 
A certificate of vaccination stating the name and address of the owner, the name, sex and breed of the dog or cat, and the date of vaccination; and
(2) 
A vaccination tag.
(b) 
Possession of unvaccinated animal prohibited.
An owner commits an offense if he possesses within the city a dog or cat which has not been vaccinated within the preceding twelve (12) month period according to the requirements contained in subsection (a) above. Each day an owner possesses such dog or cat shall constitute a separate offense. The failure or refusal of an owner to produce to the animal control officer, upon request, a current certificate of vaccination shall constitute prima facie proof that such dog or cat has not been vaccinated according to the requirements contained in subsection (a) above.
(1996 Code, sec. 2.607)
(a) 
Required.
The owner of each dog or cat more than four (4) months old in the city shall obtain a license for such dog or cat from the city manager or his designee. At the time of application for such license, the owner shall present the certificate of vaccination specified in section 2.02.001(a), and pay a licensing fee for each dog and cat.
(b) 
Possession of unlicensed animal prohibited.
A person commits an offense if he possesses within the city a dog or cat which has not been licensed according to subsection (a) above. The failure or refusal of an owner to produce to the animal control officer, upon request, a current license tag shall constitute prima facie proof that such dog or cat has not been licensed according to the requirements contained in subsection (a) above.
(1996 Code, sec. 2.608)
(a) 
Issuance.
Upon the presentation of the vaccination certificate and payment of the licensing fee, the city manager or his designee shall issue to the owner a license tag. The tag shall be so marked as to indicate the period of time such license is valid. The license tag shall be valid for a period of one (1) year. The license tag and vaccination tag shall be affixed to a collar, which shall be attached to the animal’s neck and worn by such animal at all times.
(b) 
Lost or destroyed tags.
In the event a license tag is lost or destroyed, a duplicate shall be issued by the city manager upon presentation of a receipt showing payment of the license fee. The duplicate license tag shall be valid only for the period of time that remains on the original license receipt.
(1996 Code, sec. 2.609)
An owner, other than the proprietor of an animal clinic or pet shop, commits an offense if he possesses more than three (3) dogs or three (3) cats, over six (6) months of age, within the city. For the purpose of this section, there may be no more than one (1) owner within a residential dwelling unit.
(1996 Code, sec. 2.604)
The owner of a dog commits an offense if he permits such dog to run at large in the city or if he fails, by whatever means are necessary, to prevent such dog from running at large in the city. A dog found at large within the city shall be prima facie evidence of a violation of this section and that the owner of such dog failed to prevent such dog from running at large in the city.
(1996 Code, sec. 2.601)
The owner of a dog or the proprietor or manager of an establishment where food items are sold or offered for sale or consumption on or off the premises commits an offense if a dog is permitted to enter or remain in such food establishments. This section shall not apply to service animals individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability, including, but not limited to, guiding individuals with impaired vision, alerting individuals with impaired hearing to intruders or sounds, providing minimal protection or rescue work, pulling a wheelchair, or fetching dropped items.
(Ordinance adopting Code)
A person commits an offense if, without the express permission of an authorized school official, he or she allows, suffers, permits a dog under his or her ownership, custody, or control to go on or be on any school grounds or other property of the Highland Park Independent School District, or any private preschool, kindergarten, primary or secondary school, at any time, or to go on or be on any sidewalk, parkway or public property abutting school while school is in session.
(1996 Code, sec. 2.606)
In this division:
Animal control authority.
The animal control officer of the city.
Dangerous dog.
A dog that:
(1) 
Makes an unprovoked attack on a person that causes bodily injury and occurs in a place other than the enclosure in which the dog was being kept and that was reasonably certain to prevent the dog from leaving the enclosure on its own; or
(2) 
Commits unprovoked acts in a place other than an enclosure in which the dog was being kept and that was reasonably certain to prevent the dog from leaving the enclosure on its own and those acts cause a person to reasonably believe that the dog will attack and cause bodily injury to that person.
Dog.
A domesticated animal that is a member of the canine family.
Owner.
A person who owns or has custody or control of the dog.
Secure enclosure.
A fenced area or structure that is:
(1) 
Locked;
(2) 
Capable of preventing the entry of the general public, including children;
(3) 
Capable of preventing the escape or release of a dog;
(4) 
Clearly marked as containing a dangerous dog; and
(5) 
In conformance with the requirements for enclosures established by this Code of Ordinances.
Serious bodily injury.
An injury characterized by severe bite wounds or severe ripping and tearing of muscle that would cause a reasonably prudent person to seek treatment from a medical professional and would require hospitalization, without regard to whether the person actually sought medical treatment.
(1996 Code, sec. 2.605(a))
The municipal court shall order the animal control officer to seize a dog and shall issue a warrant authorizing the seizure:
(1) 
On the sworn complaint of any person that the dog has caused the death of or serious bodily injury to a person by attacking, biting, or mauling the person; and
(2) 
On showing of probable cause to believe that the dog caused the death of or serious bodily injury to the person as stated in the complaint.
(1996 Code, sec. 2.605(b))
The animal control officer shall seize the dog or order its seizure and shall provide for the impoundment of the dog in secure and humane conditions until the court orders the disposition of the dog.
(1996 Code, sec. 2.605(c))
After notice and a hearing as required by section 822.003 of the Texas Health and Safety Code, the court may order the disposition of the dog, including its destruction as provided by section 822.004 of the Health and Safety Code, provided that provocation or location of an attack by a dog that causes a person’s death or serious bodily injury shall be irrelevant in such proceeding.
(1996 Code, sec. 2.605(d))
(a) 
Not later than the thirtieth day after a person learns that the person is the owner of a dangerous dog, the person shall:
(1) 
Register the dangerous dog with the animal control authority;
(2) 
Restrain the dangerous dog at all times on a leash in the immediate control of a person or in a secure enclosure;
(3) 
Obtain liability insurance coverage or show financial responsibility in an amount of at least $100,000.00 to cover damages resulting from an attack by the dangerous dog causing bodily injury to a person and provide proof of the required liability insurance coverage or financial responsibility to the animal control authority; and
(4) 
Comply with any applicable city or county regulations, requirements, or restrictions on dangerous dogs.
(b) 
The owner of a dangerous dog who does not comply with subsection (a) shall deliver the dog to the animal control authority not later than the thirtieth day after the owner learns that the dog is a dangerous dog.
(c) 
If, on application of any person, the court finds, after notice and hearing as provided below, that the owner of a dangerous dog has failed to comply with this section, the court shall order the animal control authority to seize the dog and shall issue a warrant authorizing the seizure. The authority shall seize the dog or order its seizure and shall provide for the impoundment of the dog in secure and humane conditions.
(d) 
The owner shall pay any costs or fees assessed by the city related to the seizure, impoundment, and destruction of the dog.
(e) 
The court shall order the animal control authority to humanely destroy the dog if the owner has not complied with subsection (a) before the eleventh day after the date on which the dog is seized or delivered to the authority. The court shall order the authority to return the dog to the owner if the authority [owner] complies with subsection (a) before the eleventh day after the date on which the dog is seized or delivered to the authority.
(f) 
The court may order the humane destruction of a dog if the owner of the dog has not been located before the fifteenth day after the seizure and impoundment of the dog.
(g) 
For the purposes of this section, a person learns that the person is the owner of a dangerous dog when:
(1) 
The owner knows of an attack described in this division;
(2) 
The owner receives notice that a court has found that the dog is a dangerous dog; or
(3) 
The owner is informed by the animal control authority that the dog is a dangerous dog.
(1996 Code, sec. 2.605(e))
(a) 
If a person reports an incident described herein, the animal control authority may investigate the incident. If, after receiving the sworn statements of any witnesses, the animal control authority determines the dog is a dangerous dog, it shall notify the owner of that fact.
(b) 
An owner, not later than the fifteenth day after the date the owner is notified that a dog owned by the owner is a dangerous dog, may appeal the determination of the animal control authority to the municipal court. An owner may appeal the decision of the municipal court in the same manner as appeals for other cases from the municipal court.
(1996 Code, sec. 2.605(f))
The animal control authority shall annually register a dangerous dog if the owner presents proof of liability insurance or financial responsibility as required herein, current rabies vaccination of the dangerous dog, and the secure enclosure in which the dangerous dog will be kept, and pays an annual registration fee as adopted by city council. The animal control authority shall provide to the owner registering a dangerous dog a registration tag. The owner must place the tag on the dog’s collar. An owner of a registered dangerous dog shall notify the animal control authority of any attacks the dangerous dog makes on people.
(1996 Code, sec. 2.605(g); Ordinance adopting Code)
A person commits an offense if the person is the owner of a dangerous dog and the dog makes an unprovoked attack on a person or an animal outside the dog’s enclosure that causes bodily injury to the person or animal. Unless the attack causes serious bodily injury or death, any offense under this division shall be subject to the penalties provided herein. If a person is found guilty of an offense under this division, the court may order the dangerous dog destroyed by the animal control authority. In addition to criminal prosecution, a person who commits an offense under this division is liable for a civil penalty not to exceed $10,000.00. Upon direction by the city manager or city council, the city attorney may file suit in court of competent jurisdiction to collect a penalty. Penalties collected under this section shall be retained by the city.
(1996 Code, sec. 2.605(h))
A person who owns or keeps custody or control of a dangerous dog commits an offense if the person fails to comply with the requirements hereof as to registration or the keeping of such dog or any other applicable city regulation relating to dangerous dogs. It shall be a defense to prosecution that the person is a veterinarian, a peace officer, a person employed by a recognized animal shelter, or a person employed by the city to deal with stray animals and has temporary ownership, custody, or control of the dog in connection with that position. It shall further be a defense that the person is a dog trainer or an employee of a guard dog company licensed by the state.
(1996 Code, sec. 2.605(i))