(a) 
The following animals may be impounded:
(1) 
Cats and dogs not exhibiting evidence of vaccination.
(2) 
Any animal infected or kept under conditions which could endanger the public or animal health.
(3) 
Any animal that creates a nuisance, as defined in section 2.01.007, animal nuisance.
(4) 
Any animal running at large.
(5) 
Any animal treated in a manner determined to be in violation of section 42.09, 42.092 or 42.010 of the Texas Penal Code.
(6) 
Any animal that has bitten a human being or requires observation for rabies determination, as determined by any peace officer or animal control officer.
(7) 
Any animal violating any provision of this article.
(b) 
If any animal is found upon the premises of any person, that person shall have the right to confine such animal in a humane manner until any peace officer or animal control officer can impound such animal. When so notified, it shall be the duty of any peace officer or animal control officer to have such animal impounded as herein provided.
(c) 
Reasonable effort shall be made by any peace officer or animal control officer to contact the owner of any animal impounded which is wearing a current vaccination tag; however, final responsibility for location of an impounded is that of the owner.
(d) 
The owner can regain possession of an impounded animal upon payment of impoundment fees, handling fees, and any veterinarian bills incurred by any peace officer or animal control officer for the welfare of the animal, and upon compliance with the vaccination provisions of this code, except where prohibited in subsections (e) and (f) below.
(e) 
Disposition of animals impounded on the grounds of cruel or inhumane treatment shall be determined by the court of jurisdiction.
(f) 
If any animal is being held under quarantine, the owner shall not be entitled to possession until release from quarantine.
(g) 
The council shall select and establish a place for impounding all animals impounded under any provision of this article.
(h) 
Any animal, except vicious or wild animals, not reclaimed by the owner may be released to a city approved nonprofit humane organization for adoption, or humanely euthanized after being impounded for seventy-two (72) hours, providing the seventy-two hours does not fall on a holiday weekend. Then the animal will be held for ninety-six hours, unless space limitations dictate otherwise. Any animal wearing a current vaccination and/or city registration tag shall be impounded for six (6) days prior to its adoption or humane destruction.
(i) 
Any impounded vicious or wild animal, unless there is reason to believe that it has an owner, may be immediately disposed of as may be deemed appropriate by any peace officer or animal control officer.
(j) 
Any nursing baby animal impounded without the mother, or where the mother cannot or refuses to provide nutritious milk, may be immediately euthanized to prevent further suffering.
(k) 
Any impounded animal that appears to be suffering from injury or illness may be euthanized or given to a nonprofit humane organization for the purpose of veterinarian medical care, as determined by any peace officer or animal control officer.
(1995 Code, sec. 2.1201; Ordinance adopting Code)