(a)
Any
animal found in violation of this chapter, any other ordinance of
the city, or any law, rule or regulation of the state or the United
States may be impounded and taken to the city’s animal control
facility.
(b)
Any
animal found being kept under conditions which could endanger the
life or health of a person or animal, such as a rabid animal may be
impounded and taken to the city’s animal control facility.
(c)
Any
animal found abandoned within an enclosure in the city may be impounded
and taken to the city’s animal control facility 48 hours after
posting notice on the enclosure.
(d)
Any
officer enforcing this chapter may enter private property and impound
any animal under exigent circumstances if the officer reasonably believes
it to be necessary to protect the life of the animal.
(Ordinance 1136-2017 adopted 2/14/17)
Upon impoundment of an animal, the animal control officer shall
make reasonable efforts to contact the owner of the animal if the
owner is known.
(Ordinance 1136-2017 adopted 2/14/17)
Unless the animal is authorized to be held under another section
of this chapter, the owner of an animal may redeem the animal from
the city’s animal control facility upon providing proof of compliance
with the registration and vaccination requirements of this chapter
and the payment of all impoundment fees, handling fees, and any veterinary
expenses incurred.
(Ordinance 1136-2017 adopted 2/14/17)
(a)
If
the owner of an impounded animal does not redeem the animal within
72 hours after notification of the owner, or within 72 hours from
the time of impoundment if the owner is unknown, the animal is deemed
to be abandoned, the owner is divested of ownership of the animal,
and the city is deemed to be the owner of the animal.
(b)
Any
animals abandoned under this section shall be given away, put up for
adoption, euthanized, or disposed of in another humane manner, at
the discretion of the animal control officer.
(c)
Notwithstanding
any other provisions of this chapter, the animal control officer may
immediately transfer any cats believed to be feral cats to the Humane
Society of North Texas for treatment or other disposition.
(Ordinance 1136-2017 adopted 2/14/17)
