(a)
No
person shall own, keep or harbor a dog or cat over the age of four
(4) months within the city limits unless the dog or cat shall have
been vaccinated with an antirabies vaccine by a licensed veterinarian.
The dog or cat must receive a booster vaccination within the 12-month
interval following the initial vaccination. After the first vaccinations,
all such animals shall be vaccinated at least once every three years
as provided in Texas Administrative Code title 25, part 1, chapter
169, section 169.29.
(b)
A
veterinarian who vaccinates a dog or cat against rabies shall issue
to the owner of the animal a vaccination certificate in a form which
meets the minimum standards approved by the state board of health.
(c)
The
city may not register an animal that has not been vaccinated in accordance
with this section.
(1987 Code, sec. 4-26; Ordinance
adopting Code)
(a)
It
shall be unlawful for the owner or harborer of any dog or cat to harbor
or permit the dog or cat within the city limits without having registered
the dog or cat with the animal control officer and having paid an
annual fee of three dollars ($3.00) upon each male and female dog
or cat four (4) months of age or over. The fees required by this section
shall be due and payable on the first day of March of each year and
shall be good for the year ending on the last day of February.
(b)
Upon
payment of the fee required by this section, it shall be the duty
of the animal control officer to furnish the owner of the dog or cat
a metal tag of a distinctive design on one (1) side of which is stamped
the year for which same is paid and the serial number of the tag,
which tag at all times shall be securely attached to a collar around
the neck of the dog or cat, or harness around the neck and body of
the dog or cat, upon which the fee has been paid.
(c)
If
the tag issued the owner or harborer of the dog or cat should be lost,
a replacement tag is required, and such tag will be issued in accordance
with the procedures required in the issuance of the original tag.
There shall be a charge of one dollar ($1.00) for the replacement
of such tag.
(1987 Code, sec. 4-27; Ordinance
adopting Code)
Dangerous dogs, as defined in V.T.C.A., Health and Safety Code,
section 822.041, shall be regulated in accordance with the provisions
of V.T.C.A., Health and Safety Code, chapter 822, subchapter D, section
822.041 et seq.
(Ordinance adopting Code)
(a)
If
any person shall make affidavit before the city manager that any dog
has bitten, or attempted to bite, any person in this city, and it
shall appear that the person so bitten, or attacked, was not at the
time trespassing upon the person or property of the owner or keeper
of such dog, the city manager may cause the dog to be destroyed or
to be confined for determination of rabies infection, and thereafter
disposed of as provided by law.
(b)
Any
person violating this section shall be fined a sum of seventy-five
dollars ($75.00), and each day shall constitute a separate violation.
(1987 Code, sec. 4-29)
Animal control officers and police officers are hereby authorized
to trap animals at large by means of live traps and to issue live
traps to citizens for the purpose of trapping animals at large. Any
person tampering with a live trap or releasing an animal confined
in a live trap is guilty of a misdemeanor.
(1987 Code, sec. 4-30)
(a)
(Ordinance 19-02, sec. 2, adopted 1/28/19)
Section 2.02.006 does not apply to:
(1)
A
dog restrained to a running line, pulley, or trolley system and that
is not restrained to the running line, pulley, or trolley system by
means of a pinch-type, prong-type, choke-type, or improperly fitted
collar;
(2)
A
dog restrained in compliance with the requirements of a camping or
recreational area as defined by a federal, state, or local authority
or jurisdiction;
(3)
A
dog restrained for a reasonable period, not to exceed three hours
in a 24-hour period, and no longer than is necessary for the owner
to complete a temporary task that requires the dog to be restrained;
(4)
A
dog restrained while the owner is engaged in, or actively training
for, an activity that is conducted pursuant to a valid license issued
by this state if the activity for which the license is issued is associated
with the use or presence of a dog;
(5)
A
dog restrained while the owner is engaged in conduct directly related
to the business of shepherding or herding cattle or livestock; or
(6)
A
dog restrained while the owner is engaged in conduct directly related
to the business of cultivating agricultural products, if the restraint
is reasonably necessary for the safety of the dog.
(Ordinance 19-02, sec. 2, adopted 1/28/19)
(b)
A peace officer or animal control officer who has probable cause to believe that an owner is violating section 2.02.006 shall provide the owner with a written statement of that fact. The statement must be signed by the officer and plainly state the date on which and the time at which the statement is provided to the owner.
(c)
A person commits an offense if the person is provided a statement described by subsection (b) and fails to comply with this subchapter within 24 hours of the time the owner is provided the statement. An offense under this subsection is a class C misdemeanor, punishable by a fine of $500.00.
(Ordinance 19-02, sec. 2, adopted 1/28/19)
