It shall be unlawful for any person to own, possess, exhibit or harbor without a permit, within the city limits, any wild or exotic wild animal not normally considered domesticated or any hybrid offspring, including but not limited to the following:
(1) 
Class Reptilia: Family Helodermatidae (venomous lizards); Family Viperidae (rattlesnakes, pit vipers and true vipers); Family Elapidae (coral snakes, cobras and mambas); Family Colubridae - Dispholidus typus (boomslang), Cyclagras gigas (water cobras) and Boiga dendrophilia (mangrove snakes) only; Order Phidia (racers, boas, water snakes and pythons); Order Crocodilia (crocodiles, alligators, caimans and gavial).
(2) 
Class Aves: Order Falconiformes (hawks, eagles and vultures) and Subdivision Ratitae (ostriches, rheas, cassowaries and emus).
(3) 
Class Mammalia: Order Carnivora, Family Felidae (ocelots, margays, tigers, jaguars, leopards and cougars), except commonly accepted domesticated cats; Family Canidae (wolves, dingoes, coyotes and jackals), except domesticated dogs; Family Mustelidae (weasels, ferrets, martins, mink and badgers); Family Procyonidae (raccoons); Family Ursidae (bears); Order Marsupialia (kangaroos and common opossums); Order Edentata (sloths, anteaters and armadillos); Order Proboscidea (elephants); Order Primata (monkeys, chimpanzees and gorillas); Order Rodentia (porcupines); and Order Ungulata (antelope, deer, bison and camels).
(1996 Code, sec. 6-146)
Animals may be exempted from section 2.06.001 if the owner or keeper holds a valid prohibited animal permit issued under division 2 of this article or the owner or keeper is a governmental entity.
(1996 Code, sec. 6-147)
Dangerous wild animals, as defined in V.T.C.A., Health and Safety Code, section 822.101, shall be regulated in accordance with the provisions of V.T.C.A, Health and Safety Code, chapter 822, subchapter E, section 822.101 et seq.
(Ordinance adopting Code)
(a) 
Permits for animals prohibited by section 2.06.001 shall be divided into the following classifications:
(1) 
Commercial prohibited animal permit.
A commercial prohibited animal permit shall be issued by the city council to a person exhibiting prohibited animals on eight or more days during a 12-month period. The permit is valid for one year from the date of issuance.
(2) 
Temporary prohibited animal permit.
A temporary prohibited animal permit may be issued by the animal services officer to a person exhibiting prohibited animals on a one-time basis. The permit is valid for a designated period not to exceed seven consecutive days.
(3) 
Noncommercial prohibited animal permit.
A noncommercial prohibited animal permit may be issued by the city council to a research institution or a member of a nonprofit wildlife society involved in education or research. The permit is valid for one year from the date of issuance.
(4) 
Special use prohibited animal permit.
A special use prohibited animal permit may be issued by the city council to a zoo, a public or private learning institution or a nonprofit animal rehabilitation organization permitted by the state parks and wildlife department. The permit is valid for one year from the date of issuance.
(5) 
Temporary medical prohibited animal permit.
A temporary medical prohibited animal permit may be issued by the chief of police to an individual who meets the eligibility requirements set forth below. A permit shall be valid for an individual to possess or harbor a prohibited wild or exotic wild animal inside the residence of the individual only. The permit is valid for the amount of time designated by the chief of police. Nothing shall prohibit an individual from making application for a subsequent temporary medical prohibited animal permit.
(b) 
A permit is issued for one or more animals of an owner or possessor at a single location.
(1996 Code, sec. 6-171)
Commercial prohibited animal permits, temporary prohibited animal permits, noncommercial prohibited animal permits and special use prohibited animal permits for any of the prohibited animals in section 2.06.001 may only be issued to the following which fully comply with the specifications of the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service of the United States Department of Agriculture pertaining to the handling, care, treatment, and transportation of warm-blooded animals found at 9 CFR 3.125–3.142 (1985):
(1) 
A zoo open to the public;
(2) 
A research institution;
(3) 
A nonprofit animal rehabilitation organization permitted by the state parks and wildlife department; or
(4) 
An animal exhibition, rodeo or circus, of which the animal is an integral part, if the animal is restrained from inflicting injury upon persons, property, or other animals, and adequate provision is made for the care and protection of the animal.
(1996 Code, sec. 6-172)
(a) 
An individual requesting a temporary medical prohibited animal permit for an animal not listed as a “dangerous wild animal” in section 822.101 of the Texas Health and Safety Code (or its predecessor) must make application for the permit with the animal services officer. The application must include:
(1) 
Proof that the individual has liability insurance in an amount of not less than $100,000.00 for each occurrence for liability for damages for destruction of or damage to property and death or bodily injury to a person caused by the animal;
(2) 
A color photograph of the animal taken not earlier than the 30th day before the date the application is filed;
(3) 
A statement signed by a veterinarian licensed to practice in the state stating that the veterinarian has found the animal to be in good health and that the animal has received all the vaccinations recommended by the veterinarian; and
(4) 
A request of the individual’s treating physician, psychiatrist or psychologist that the individual be granted a temporary medical prohibited animal permit. The treating physician, psychiatrist or psychologist must explain in the request why possession of a wild or exotic wild animal is in the best interest of the physical or emotional well-being of the individual and why an animal not considered a wild or exotic animal would not suffice for the individual’s treatment.
(b) 
An individual requesting a temporary medical prohibited animal permit for an animal listed as a “dangerous wild animal” in section 822.101 of the Texas Health and Safety Code (or its predecessor) must make application for the permit with the animal services officer. The application must include:
(1) 
A certificate of registration for the animal as required by subchapter E of chapter 822 of the Texas Health and Safety Code (or its predecessor);
(2) 
A statement signed by a veterinarian licensed to practice in the state stating that the veterinarian has found the animal to be in good health and that the animal has received all the vaccinations recommended by the veterinarian;
(3) 
A request of the individual’s treating physician, psychiatrist, or psychologist that the individual be granted a temporary medical prohibited animal permit. The treating physician, psychiatrist or psychologist must explain in the request why possession of a wild or exotic wild animal is in the best interest of the physical or emotional well-being of the individual and why an animal not considered a wild or exotic wild animal would not suffice for the individual’s treatment.
(c) 
An individual may apply for a subsequent temporary medical prohibited animal permit by repeating the application process set forth above.
(d) 
If the chief of police denies an individual’s application for a temporary medical prohibited animal permit, the individual may appeal the denial of the application to the city council by making a written request to the city manager for an appeal of the denial of the application. If an appeal is made, the chief of police will supply the city council with copies of the application and supporting documents. The city council may either approve the denial of the application for a temporary medical prohibited animal permit or grant the temporary medical prohibited animal permit.
(1996 Code, sec. 6-172.1)
(a) 
The fees for a wild or exotic wild animal permit are as follows:
(1) 
Commercial permit: $200.00.
(2) 
Temporary permit: $50.00.
(3) 
Noncommercial permit: $50.00.
(4) 
Special use permit: None.
(5) 
Temporary medical prohibited animal permit: None.
(b) 
A prohibited animal permit is nontransferable and the permit fee is nonrefundable.
(1996 Code, sec. 6-173)
A person holding a wild or exotic wild animal permit shall notify the animal services officer in writing of any change in the permitted location for the animal. This requirement does not apply to the transporting of the animal in or out of the city or to or from a veterinary clinic.
(1996 Code, sec. 6-174)
The animal services officer shall revoke a permit to own, possess, exhibit, or harbor an animal prohibited by section 2.06.001 within the city if the permit holder fails to properly restrain his animal, fails to adequately care for or protect his animal, or fails to meet all requirements specified on the prohibited animal permit required under this division.
(1996 Code, sec. 6-175)
An owner of an animal prohibited by section 2.06.001, at all reasonable times, shall allow the animal services officer to enter the premises where the animal is kept and to inspect the animal and the primary enclosure for the animal.
(1996 Code, sec. 6-176)
The animal services officer, the chief of police and the city council shall have complete discretion in granting or denying a permit to own, possess or harbor an animal prohibited by section 2.06.001 within the city. In their discretion, the chief of police, or, in the case of an appeal, the city council, shall set the length of time for which a temporary medical prohibited animal permit will be valid.
(1996 Code, sec. 6-177)