Animal control manager.
The individual who is appointed by the city council to act in the capacity as the person responsible for ensuring compliance with this chapter.
Bodily injury.
Physical pain, illness or any impairment of physical condition that results from an attack by a dog.
Cat.
Any live or dead cat (Felis catus).
Dangerous dog.
Shall have the same meaning as set forth in V.T.C.A., Health and Safety Code, section 822.041, as amended, Alternatively, “dangerous dog” shall mean a dog that:
(1) 
Makes an unprovoked attack on a person that causes bodily injury and occurs in a place other than an enclosure in which the dog was being kept and that was reasonably certain to prevent the dog from leaving the enclosure on its own; or
(2) 
Commits unprovoked acts in a place other than an enclosure in which the dog was being kept and that was reasonably certain to prevent the dog from leaving the enclosure on its own and those acts cause a person to reasonably believe that the dog will attack and cause bodily injury to that person.
Dangerous dog incident.
An incident in which the dog:
(1) 
Makes an unprovoked attack on a person that causes bodily injury and occurs in a place other than an enclosure in which the dog was being kept and that was reasonably certain to prevent the dog from leaving the enclosure on its own; or
(2) 
Commits unprovoked acts in a place other than an enclosure in which the dog was being kept and that was reasonably certain to prevent the dog from leaving the enclosure on its own and those acts cause a person to reasonably believe that the dog will attack and cause bodily injury to that person.
Dog.
Any live or dead dog (Canis familiaris).
Harboring.
The act of keeping and caring for an animal or of providing premises to which the animal returns for food, shelter, or care for a period of ten (10) days.
Owner.
Any person, firm, or corporation who has right of property in an animal or who harbors an animal or allows an animal to remain about his premises for a period of ten (10) days.
Running at large.
Not completely confined by a building, wall, or fence of sufficient strength or construction to restrain the animal, except when such animal is either on a leash or held in the hands of the owner or keeper, or under direct supervision of the owner, or within the limits of the owner’s private property. An animal within an automobile or other vehicle of its owner shall not be deemed running at large.
Secure enclosure.
A fenced area or structure that is:
(1) 
At least six (6) feet in height;
(2) 
Locked;
(3) 
Capable of preventing the entry of the general public, including children;
(4) 
Capable of preventing escape or release of a dangerous dog; and
(5) 
Clearly marked as containing a dangerous dog.
Serious bodily injury.
Shall have the same meaning as ascribed in V.T.C.A., Health and Safety Code section 822.041, as amended.
Vaccinated.
Properly injected with a rabies vaccine licensed for use in that species by the United States Department of Agriculture and administered by a veterinarian licensed to practice in the state.
Vicious animal.
Any individual animal or any species that has on two (2) previous occasions without provocation attacked or bitten any person or other animal, or any individual animal which gives reason to believe to have a dangerous disposition likely to be harmful to humans or other animals.
Wild animal.
All species of animals which commonly exist in a natural unconfined state and are usually not domesticated. This shall apply regardless of state or duration of capacity.
(Ordinance 2013-001, pt. 1, sec. 1, adopted 2/11/13; Ordinance adopting Code)
The animal control manager or any police officer of the city shall have the right to enforce any of the provisions of this law.
(Ordinance 2013-001, pt. 2, sec. 11(A), adopted 2/11/13)
(a) 
It shall be unlawful to harbor or maintain within the city limits the following animals: bats, skunks, poisonous snakes, or any wild animal whose normal natural weight exceeds forty (40) pounds.
(b) 
The owner shall keep any other wild animals under restraint at all times. The city council may grant exceptions to this section, by permit, for special events.
(Ordinance 2013-001, pt. 1, sec. 2, adopted 2/11/13)
The carcass of any animal or fowl, not slaughtered for food, but dead of disease or any other cause, shall be removed and/or disposed of by the owner (if known), and, if not known, the owner of the premises where such animal is found, at his own expense, within twenty-four (24) hours after such death, according to such methods as may be approved by the city animal control officer.
(Ordinance 2013-001, pt. 1, sec. 3, adopted 2/11/13)
All stables, pens, houses, and yards used for keeping of animals, livestock or fowl within the city shall be kept in a clean and sanitary condition. All such stables, pens, houses, and yards shall be located at least fifty (50) feet from any residence not occupied by the owner of such animals or fowl.
(Ordinance 2013-001, pt. 1, sec. 4, adopted 2/11/13)
It shall be unlawful for any person in the city to over-drive, walk-ride, or overload, or unnecessarily confine, any animal or fowl, or unnecessarily fail to provide the same with proper food, drink, and shelter, or in any way treat any animal or fowl with cruelty.
(Ordinance 2013-001, pt. 1, sec. 6, adopted 2/11/13)
It shall be unlawful to keep bees in any area of the city except in those areas where the beehives will be located at least two hundred (200) feet or more from the nearest dwelling other than the dwelling of the owner of the bees. It shall further be unlawful to keep bees, regardless of the above limitation, in such numbers that they congregate in excessive numbers on property, other than that of the owner of the bees, in such a way as to interfere with the peaceful occupancy of such other property.
(Ordinance 2013-001, pt. 1, sec. 7, adopted 2/11/13)
(a) 
Nuisances.
It shall be unlawful for any person or business to keep, for any purpose, any animal of any kind that is declared a nuisance from excessive noise, odor, unsightly conditions, lack of care or any action(s) by the animal that would make it unsafe to the general public.
(b) 
Complaints; penalties.
A complaint may be either written or oral made directly to a peace officer. The peace officer will issue a citation for noncompliance. The fine will be $25.00 for the first offense, $50.00 for the second offense and $100.00 for the third offense. All fines will be paid at city hall payable to the municipal court. Any further offense for the same animal in a one-year period will cause the animal ordered removed by an animal control contractor or a veterinarian. All costs to remove said animal will be paid by the animal owner. Each complaint will stand on its own merit.
(c) 
Vaccination required.
All animals will be properly vaccinated and all dogs and cats will, at all times, wear proof of such vaccination.
(d) 
Animals at large.
For the purpose of this section, all animals should be properly penned, fenced or leashed. It shall be a violation of this section to allow animals to roam free leaving debris in or on other people’s property.
(e) 
Animals biting person.
Any animal that is on property other than its owner’s and bites an individual may be declared a nuisance and ordered removed.
(f) 
Pit bulls prohibited; dogs engaged in fighting.
Pit bulls will not be permitted within the city limits. All dogs engaged in any fighting will be removed.
(Ordinance 192 effective 6/15/04)
It is unlawful for any household to own or keep more than four (4) dogs or four (4) cats or a combination of four (4) dogs and cats upon any private premises within the city limits subject to the following exceptions: a veterinary clinic, an animal hospital or similar facility; an animal shelter; a groomer; a breeder; a pet shop; a research institution; a qualified researcher; a performing animal exhibition; or a litter up to twelve (12) weeks old.
(Ordinance adopting Code)