(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.
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(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.
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(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)