(a) 
The local health authority shall take into custody any animal found at large in the city and shall impound the animal in the custody of the animal control officer, the local health authority's designated place of animal detention, or the animal shelter as defined by section 2.01.001 of this chapter.
(b) 
Except for animals impounded as subjects or probable subjects of a proceeding pursuant to Texas Health and Safety Code chapter 822, a vicious animal determination, a public nuisance animal determination, a rabies observation, or other administrative procedures, impounded animals must be kept for not less than three (3) working days from the date of impoundment. In calculating the length of this time period, the first working day (non-weekend day) after impoundment is considered day one.
(c) 
If the owner of the impounded animal can be identified, the local health authority shall, as soon as practicable after impoundment, notify the owner in person or by telephone, if reasonably possible, advising that, if the impounded animal is not redeemed within three (3) working days from the date of impoundment, disposition of the animal will be made in accordance with this chapter.
(d) 
Dogs that are found to be at large and that are determined to be a dangerous dog, a vicious animal, or a public nuisance animal, shall be subject to mandatory sterilization at the owner's expense before the animal is returned to the owner, except if the owner of the dog can establish one of the following exemptions:
(1) 
Was a member of a national breed club, local breed club, local all-breed club, sporting, or hunting club, or was regularly shown during the six-month period immediately preceding impoundment;
(2) 
Was at large due to a natural disaster; or
(3) 
Was at large due to the criminal or negligent acts of a third party.
(e) 
At the end of the impoundment period, if the animal has not been claimed and the fees associated with the impoundment, including sterilization fees, have not been paid to the city, the animal may be disposed of through adoption or disposal. Disposal may include the humane euthanization of the animal.
(Ordinance adopting Code; Ordinance 1231 adopted 1/19/2023)
(a) 
The local health authority shall have the authority to impound an animal which is diseased and could endanger the health and welfare of another animal or person.
(b) 
Any law enforcement officer shall have the authority to kill an animal which, in the sole opinion of the officer, poses an imminent danger to a person or property and a real or apparent necessity exists for the destruction of the animal.
(c) 
The local health authority shall have the authority to muzzle or order the owner, handler, or controller of an animal to muzzle an animal which, in the sole opinion of the local health authority, poses a threat to the safety or welfare of any person.
(Ordinance adopting Code)
Before the local health authority releases an impounded animal that is not vaccinated for rabies within the last twelve (12) months to an owner, the owner shall sign a promise in writing that the animal will be vaccinated for rabies immediately upon release of the animal from impoundment. The animal control department shall keep such written statement on file, and upon receiving proof of vaccination within five (5) days from the date of release, shall refund the additional impoundment fee collected for unvaccinated animals. All fees associated with the impoundment of the animal must be paid by the owner at the time of release of the animal. It is an offense under this section for the owner of the animal to fail to provide the proof of vaccination to animal control within five (5) days from the date of release. If:
(1) 
An owner promises in writing that an animal will be vaccinated;
(2) 
The animal is thereafter impounded a subsequent time; and
(3) 
It is determined that the animal was not vaccinated in accordance with the written promise;
any fees associated with the impoundment shall be doubled.
(Ordinance adopting Code)
(a) 
A person who desires to adopt an animal from the city shall:
(1) 
Register and license the animal with the city without charge;
(2) 
Have the animal vaccinated for rabies within five (5) days after adoption;
(3) 
Have the animal spayed or neutered within fourteen (14) days after adoption, provided the animal is of proper age for such procedure. However, if the animal is not of proper age for the procedure, the animal must be spayed or neutered within fourteen (14) days of reaching the proper age; and
(4) 
Sign a promise in writing that the animal will be vaccinated and spayed/neutered within the time limits prescribed in subsections (a)(2) and (3) above. The animal control department shall keep such written promise on file. It is an offense under this section for the owner of the animal to fail to provide proof of vaccination to animal control within five (5) days from the date of adoption. It is a separate offense under this section for the owner of the animal to fail to provide proof of spaying/neutering to animal control within fourteen (14) days from the date of adoption or the date when the animal reaches the proper age. If:
(A) 
An owner makes a promise to vaccinate or spay/neuter in writing;
(B) 
The animal is thereafter impounded a second time; and
(C) 
It is determined that the animal was not vaccinated and/or spayed/neutered in accordance with the written promise;
the impoundment fee shall be doubled as required in the schedule of fees adopted by the city. For any subsequent impoundment of such animal that remains unvaccinated and/or unspayed/unneutered at the time of impoundment, an additional impoundment fee as set forth in the city’s schedule of fees shall be assessed.
(b) 
The animal control officer shall make the final determination as to whether an animal is healthy enough for adoption. However, such a decision by the animal control officer shall not constitute a warranty, either express or implied, of the health or age of the animal.
(Ordinance adopting Code)