(a) No
person shall own, keep, or harbor any dog or cat over four months
old within the corporate limits unless such dog or cat is vaccinated
against rabies and licensed (registered).
(b) All
dogs and cats shall be vaccinated against rabies by a licensed veterinarian
in accordance with Texas Administrative Code, sec. 169.28, et seq.
(c) A
certificate of vaccination shall be issued to the owner of each animal
vaccinated. Each owner shall also receive a durable vaccination tag
indicating the year in which it was issued.
(d) The
owner of any dog or cat within the city shall have the animal vaccinated
against rabies by a licensed veterinarian each calendar year.
(Ordinance adopting Code; 1997 Code,
sec. 90.021)
Every person who owns, keeps, or is in charge of a dog or cat
shall restrain the dog [or cat] at all times. No dog of fierce, dangerous,
and/or vicious propensities shall be allowed upon any street, avenue,
highway, alley, sidewalk, parkway, park, or other public place in
the city. The animal shall be confined within a building or a secure
enclosure unless such animal is securely muzzled and under the control
of the owner or any other person by either leash, cord, chain, or
otherwise. No female dog or female cat in heat shall be allowed upon
any street, avenue, highway, alley, sidewalk, parkway, park, or other
public place in the city whether said dog is under the control of
the owner or any other person either by leash, cord, chain, or otherwise.
(1997 Code, sec. 90.022)
It shall be unlawful for any person to permit any dog or cat owned or kept by him to run at large within the city. Any cat or dog found running at large in violation of this section may be impounded and subject to the citation imposed under section
2.01.004 of this chapter.
(1997 Code, sec. 90.023)
(a) Care
of a dog or cat must include, but is not limited to, adequate heat,
ventilation, and sanitary shelter, wholesome food and water, consistent
with the normal requirements and feeding habits of the animal’s
size, species, and breed.
(b) The
owner of every dog or cat shall be responsible for the sanitary disposal
of, and shall dispose of, any feces deposited by his animal on public
walks, streets, or recreation areas, or upon private property not
within the control, possession, or supervision of said owner.
(c) It
shall be unlawful to keep, shelter, or enclose any dog or cat within
any residential building or property which is not occupied as a residence
by a person.
(d) All
dogs within the city shall be cared for in accordance with the following:
(1) It shall be unlawful for the owner, caregiver or keeper of any dog
to permit such dog to run at large within the city. A dog is at large
if it is not within an enclosure adequate to contain the dog upon
or within property owned or leased by its owner, caregiver or keeper
or restrained by a leash or harness personally held by the owner,
caregiver or keeper of the dog.
(2) It shall be required for the owner, caregiver or keeper of any dog
over twenty-five (25) pounds that is upon any public street or park
to have the dog properly muzzled.
(3) It shall be unlawful for the owner, caregiver or keeper of any dog
to restrain or anchor a dog by means of a tether, chain, cable, rope
or cord, unless the tether or other restraint is being personally
held by the owner, caregiver or keeper of the dog. No dog may be attached
to an inanimate object.
(4) Any dogs confined within a fenced yard or run must be provided with
at least 100 square feet of space for each dog. Any dog kept within
a house without a yard shall be provided an enclosure or run for such
dog with at least 100 square feet for each dog. The enclosure shall
be constructed of chain link or similar type material with all four
sides enclosed. The enclosure shall be of sufficient height to prevent
the dog from escaping from the enclosure. The top of the enclosure
shall be covered with sufficient material to provide the dog with
shade and protection from the elements.
(1997 Code, sec. 90.024; Ordinance 040803-1 adopted 8/17/04)