(a) 
It shall be unlawful for any person within the limits of the city to wantonly or cruelly or unmercifully beat or abuse any horse, mule, jack, jennet, cattle, sheep, goat, dog or any other domesticated animal or bird.
(b) 
It shall be unlawful for any person within the limits of the city to knowingly ride, work or use any horse, mule or ass which is suffering from any disease, lameness or other physical defect or injury rendering the animal unfit for such service.
(c) 
It shall be unlawful for any person:
(1) 
To sell, offer for sale, barter or give away baby chickens, ducklings or other fowl under three weeks old or rabbits under two months old.
(2) 
To color, dye, stain or otherwise change the natural color of any chickens, ducklings, other fowl or rabbits, or to possess any of the above mentioned animals which have been so colored.
(Code 1972, § 5-4; Ordinance 1270, § 1, 11-18-03)
The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this article, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:
Abandon
means to forsake and desert an animal previously under the custody or possession of a person without making reasonable arrangement for its proper care, sustenance and shelter.
Agent
means any peace officer acting in official capacity under the representation of his or her official duties, representing on behalf of the animal control officer.
Animal
means any living vertebrate creature, domestic or wild, other than Homo sapiens, including but not limited to mammals, birds, fowl, reptiles and fish, except when referring specifically to the control of rabies where the meaning of the word "animal" shall be limited to mammals, domestic and wild.
Animal control officer
means the person or persons employed by the animal control department as its enforcement officer.
Animal establishment
means any facility operated for the sale, care, grooming, breeding, display, training, keeping or boarding or raising of animals. This definition does not apply to veterinary medical facilities or to shelters or facilities operated by municipalities or other governmental entity.
Animal fancier
means a person owning, keeping, or harboring more than four animals (dogs, cats or any combination thereof), more than four months old. By city ordinance, an animal fancier shall maintain animals and property in such a way that it does not constitute a nuisance to the surrounding occupants or residents in terms of odors, noise, or pose a danger.
Animal shelter
means a facility that keeps or legally impounds stray, homeless, abandoned, or unwanted animals and complies with the standards and requirements of animal shelters prescribed in chapters 823 and 826 of the Texas Health & Safety Code.
At-large or running at-large
means that any any animal without physical restraint and beyond the property of the animal's owner or keeper. (Hunting dogs, stock dogs and show dogs and cats or other animals, while being worked or shown under the supervision and control of their owner's or the agent's or employees of said owners, are exempt from this definition.)
Bite
means the breaking of the skin by an animal's teeth, mouth, claws or beak.
Cat
means a domesticated member of the Felidae (feline) family, other than a lion, tiger, bobcat, jaguar, panther, leopard, cougar, ocelot, margay or cat hybrid.
Circus
means a commercial variety show featuring animal acts for public entertainment.
Collar
means a band, choke chain, harness or other device worn around the neck of an animal in a humane way to which a vaccination tag and license may be affixed.
Commercial livery stable
means any establishment where one or more horses are boarded for a fee.
County animal shelter
means a place operated by or for the county, whether county facilities or by contract, for the detention of dogs and other animals, as prescribed by law.
County Health officer
means that the director of environmental health authority is designated as the county health officer for the purposes of this order.
Cruelly-ill treat
means every act or failure to act whereby unjustifiable physical or mental pain or suffering is caused or permitted.
Dangerous animal
means any animal that bites or scratches or attacks any other animal or any human being within the city limits without provocation. (V.T.C.A. Health & Safety Code 822.031)
Dog
means a domesticated member of the Canidae (canine) family other than a wolf, jackal, fox, dingo, coyote or dog hybrid.
Exposed to rabies.
A dog or cat has been exposed to rabies within the meaning of this article if it has been bitten by or been exposed to any animal known or suspected to have been infected with rabies.
Horse
means any horse, any, donkey or mule of the Equidae family.
Hybrid
means the offspring produced by crossing two animals of different races, varieties or species or unlike genetic constitution, including but not limited to dog-wolf crosses and cat-ocelot crosses.
Impound
means to take into custody or to place in the county animal shelter.
Kennel.
Any place of business at which more than four animals (dogs, cats, or any combination thereof), more than four months of age, are kept for the sale, breeding, boarding, training, or other commercial purposes to include, but not limited to, retail or wholesale trade. By city ordinance, a kennel shall maintain animals and property in such a way that it does not constitute a nuisance to the surrounding occupants or residents in terms of odors, noise, or pose a danger.
Licensed veterinarian
means a veterinarian licensed by the Texas Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners.
Livestock
means horses, mules, jacks, jennies, cattle, hogs, sheep, goats and similar animals.
Nuisance by an animal
means the damaging, soiling, defiling, urinating or defecating upon, or repeatedly trespassing upon property other than its owner's. Excessive, continuous or unreasonable, unwarranted whining, howling, barking or annoying noise making so as to disturb the peace and repose of persons living or working nearby. Molesting, threatening, attacking or interfering with persons on private or public property, chasing motor vehicles or bicycles, attacking other domestic animals, or disturbing or turning over garbage or trash containers, or causing unsanitary conditions or odors on or about the premises of its owner by urination or defecation. Is at large beyond the property of its owner or is a dangerous animal within V.T.C.A. Health & Safety Code.
Owner
means any person, who has a right of property in an animal, or who keeps an animal in his care, harbors an animal, acts as custodian for an animal, or who permits an animal to remain on or about his premises. An animal is harbored if it is fed or sheltered.
Peace officer
means any commissioned officer acting on behalf of the state: Police officers, sheriff deputies, state troopers, game wardens and all other state commissioned officers.
Physical restraint
means an animal will be deemed under restraint in the following circumstances:
(1) 
If the animal is within the property limits of its owners; or
(2) 
Is secured by leash of sufficient strength to control the animal, and under the effective control of its owner or keeper while the animal is outside its owners' property or in a public place.
Proper food
means providing each animal with daily food of sufficient quality and quantity to prevent unnecessary or unjustifiable suffering by the animal.
Property shelter
means providing each animal with adequate shelter from the elements, as required, to prevent unnecessary or unjustifiable physical pain or suffering by the animal.
Proper water
means providing each animal with daily, continuous water of sufficient quality and quantity to prevent unnecessary or unjustifiable suffering by the animal.
Provocation
means any purposeful act that causes an animal to bite, scratch or attack in protection of self, owner, or owners property.
Public nuisance
all of the following conditions, situations or occurrences are hereby declared to be a public nuisance and constitute a failure of the owner to exercise proper care and control of his animal and/or the premises where said animals are or have been kept:
(1) 
Animals.
Any animal turning over garbage containers or scattering garbage or which otherwise damages private or public property;
a. 
Any dog or livestock at large or free-roaming off of private property owned or controlled by the owner, keeper, or the person in charge of said dog or livestock;
b. 
Any animal barking, whining, howling, or making other sounds or noises in an excessive or continuous fashion; or
c. 
Any building, room, cage, kennel, yard, run, stable, shed, pen, fenced pasture, or any other place or facility where animals are kept or harbored which is not being maintained in a clean and sanitary condition so as to prevent obnoxious odors, the attraction, breeding or potential breeding of flies, the attraction, harboring or breeding of rodents or potential breeding of rodents, or the creation of any other public nuisances.
Releasing agency
means the Aransas County Animal Control.
Restraint a dog
is under restraint within the meaning of this chapter if it is physically controlled by a leash, physically restrained within an open area or confined within a vehicle being driven or parked on the streets, or confined within the property limits of its owner or keeper and shall also be kept in such a manner as will be reasonably calculated not to become a nuisance or a threat to adjacent neighbors or to the public.
Sanitary
means condition of good order and cleanliness which precludes the possibility of disease transmission.
Spayed female
means any bitch dog or cat, which has been operated upon to prevent conception.
Stray
means any animal for which an owner has not been identified or does not have tags affixed to its collar indicating current rabies inoculation and current licensing.
Vaccination against rabies
means the injection subcutaneously or otherwise by a licensed veterinarian, or by a person under his/her supervision, of licensed animal rabies vaccine.
Vaccination certificate
means a certificate bearing the vaccination tag number, signed by the veterinarian or his representative, stating the name of the owner of the dog or cat to which issued and a description of the dog or cat to which issued indicating the year for which issued, certifying that such dog or cat was inoculated or vaccinated against rabies, and stating the date thereof.
Vaccination tag
means a suitable tag, bearing the same number as the vaccination certificate and indicating the year for which it was issued.
Veterinary hospital
means any establishment maintained and operated by a licensed veterinarian for surgery, diagnosis and treatment of disease and injuries to animals.
Working days
means Mondays through Fridays, excluding legal holidays recognized by the Aransas County Commissioner's Court.
(Ordinance 888, §§ 1, 21, 3-26-91; Ordinance 1118, § 1, 7-25-00; Ordinance 1270, § 2, 11-18-03; Ordinance 1590, § 1, 9-25-12)
It shall be unlawful for any dog or cat to be at-large, dangerous, a public nuisance or vicious, all as defined herein. Any individual or corporation who knowingly or intentionally allows their dog or cat to be in violation of any of the provisions of this chapter shall be guilty of a Class C misdemeanor and subject to a fine, as provided herein.
(Ordinance 888, § 2, 3-26-91; Ordinance 1118, § 1, 7-25-00)
Any person violating any provision of this chapter shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and punished by a fine not exceeding $200.00; and if such violation be continued, each day's violation shall be a separate offense.
(Ordinance 888, § 23, 3-26-91; Ordinance 1118, § 1, 7-25-00)
(a) 
Licensing required for all dogs and cats.
(1) 
No person shall own, keep or harbor any dog or cat over the age of four months within the city limits unless such dog or cat is licensed as provided in this section. Written application for such license shall be made to the animal control department and shall state the name and address of the owner and the name, breed, color, age and sex of the dog or cat and shall be accompanied by a current rabies certificate issued by a licensed veterinarian or anti-rabies clinic. The license fee shall be paid at the time of making application; a numbered receipt given to the applicant and a numbered metallic tag shall be issued to the owner.
(2) 
There shall be a yearly license fee for each dog or each cat over the age of four months. A lower fee may be accessed for spayed and neutered animals. Note: If veterinarians are allowed to provide license tags within their facilities, they shall retain a portion of said fee from each licensing transaction.
(3) 
Every person, group of person or corporation affiliated with any place of business at which more than four dogs and/or cats, more than four months of age, are kept for the sale breeding, boarding, training, or other commercial purposes to include, but not limited to, retail or wholesale trade, shall pay an annual permit fee.
a. 
Every person, owning, keeping, or harboring more than four dogs and/or cats, more than four months old, shall pay an annual animal fancier permit fee, and in addition shall pay a license fee for each individual dog and/or cat as provided in subsection (2) above.
(4) 
All dog or cat licenses and kennel licenses shall be issued for one calendar year and renewed each January. If a metallic license tag issued for a dog or cat shall be lost, the owner may obtain a replacement tag for a nominal fee.
(5) 
If there is a change in ownership of a dog or cat or kennel during the license year, the new owner may have the current license transferred to his name upon the payment of a transfer fee.
(6) 
No person shall use for any dog or cat a license receipt of license tag issued for another dog or cat.
(b) 
Registration of livestock and their habitat required. All pastures, feed lots, or other facilities where livestock is kept as well as all livestock kept in the city limits are required to be registered. Written application for such registration shall be made to the city or such agents of the animal control department as shall be designated by the city, and shall state name, address and notification telephone number of the landowner and description of the exact legal location of the facility to be registered as well as all livestock kept at the facility and shall include color, breed, identification markings, (tattoos, brands, ear tags), and sex (altered/unaltered) of livestock. The registration fee shall be paid at the time of making application; a numbered receipt given to the applicant and a numbered metallic tag shall be issued to the owner.
(1) 
There shall be an annual registration fee accessed per facility per year to be renewed each January.
(2) 
The agents of the animal control department prior to issuance of registration must inspect all livestock.
(3) 
Any person, firm or corporation violating any portion of this section shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor.
(Ordinance 888, § 3, 3-26-91; Ordinance 1118, § 1, 7-25-00; Ordinance 1270, § 3, 11-18-03; Ordinance 1510, § 1, 8-17-10; Ordinance 1590, § 2, 9-25-12)
(a) 
Upon complying with the provisions of section 18-29, there shall be issued to the owner a numbered metallic tag stamped with the number and the year for which issued. The shape or design of the tag shall be changed from year to year.
(b) 
Every owner is required to see that the tag is securely fastened to a dog's choke chain, collar or harness, which must be worn by the dog at all times. Cats shall not be required to wear tags, but the owner shall keep such tag with the written license.
(Ordinance 888, § 4, 3-26-91; Ordinance 1118, § 1, 7-25-00)
It shall be unlawful for any person, other than the owner or keeper of a dog, to remove the collar or license tag attached to such dog as required by this article.
(Code 1972, § 5-49; Ordinance 1118, § 1, 7-25-00)
(a) 
The owner or keeper of a dog in the city which is not on the premises of the owner or keeper or upon the premises of another with the permission of said person shall restrain said dog with a chain or leash of sufficient material and strength as necessary to restrain the dog, and said dog shall be held by a person capable of controlling the movements of the dog. The chain or leash shall be of a length that prohibits the dog from being a nuisance to persons nearby or causing damage to public or personal property. No owner or keeper of a dog shall allow it on public school property during school hours without the permission of the school principal, unless it is in a vehicle and kept in such a way as to prevent contact with passersby.
(b) 
Owners responsible for removal of canine waste.
(1) 
It shall be the duty of each person who owns, possesses or controls a dog to remove and dispose of any feces left by his/her dog on any sidewalk, street or other public area. It shall further be the duty of each person who owns, possesses or controls a dog to remove and dispose of any feces left by his/her dog on any private property neither owned nor occupied by said person.
(2) 
No person who owns, possesses or controls such dog shall appear with such dog on any sidewalk, street or other public area without the means of removal of any feces left by such dog. Furthermore, no person who owns, possesses or controls such dog shall appear on any private property neither owned nor occupied by said person without the means of removal of any feces left by said dog.
(3) 
For the purposes of this regulation, the means of removal shall be any tool, implement, container or other device carried for the purpose of picking up and containing such feces, unexposed to said person or the public. Disposal shall be accomplished by transporting such feces to a suitable depository.
(4) 
Any person found in violation of this section by an animal control officer or agent shall cause a complaint to issue in the court of jurisdiction. The penalty for violation of this section shall apply to each offense.
(5) 
This regulation shall not apply to a dog accompanying any handicapped person who, by reason of his/her handicap, is physically unable to comply with the requirements of this section.
(Ordinance 888, § 5, 3-26-91; Ordinance 1118, § 1, 7-25-00; Ordinance 1590, § 3, 9-25-12)
(a) 
Unlicensed dogs or cats found running at-large shall be taken up by the agents of the animal control department and impounded in the shelter designated as the city animal shelter, and there confined in a humane manner for a period of not less than four days, and may thereafter be disposed of in a humane manner if not claimed by their owner. Dangerous animals shall be confined in a humane manner for a period of not less than three days. Dogs and cats not claimed by their owners shall become the property of the animal control department and be disposed of at the discretion of the department, except as provided in the cases of certain dogs and cats. In calculating the length of this time period, the day of impoundment shall not be considered day one.
(b) 
The animal control department may transfer title of all animals held by its animal shelter to the Humane Society after the legal detention period has expired and the animal has not been claimed by its owner. In the event of such transfer of title, it is expressly understood that the Humane Society shall pay for each animals' food until it shall be removed from the animal shelter.
(c) 
When dogs are found running at-large and their ownership is known to the agents of the animal control department, such dogs need not be impounded; but the agent may, at his discretion, cite the owner of the dog to appear in court to answer to charges of violation of this article.
(d) 
Immediately upon impounding dogs or other animals, the agents of the animal control department shall make every reasonable effort to notify the owners of such dogs or other animals so impounded, and inform the owners of the conditions whereby they may regain custody of the animals.
(e) 
No unspayed or unneutered dog or cat which has been impounded by reason of its being a stray shall be allowed to be adopted from the animal shelter unless the prospective owner shall agree to have such animal spayed or neutered, or the Humane Society agrees to do so.
(Ordinance 888, § 6, 3-26-91; Ordinance 1118, § 1, 7-25-00)
(a) 
The owner shall be entitled to resume possession of any impounded dog or cat, except as provided in the cases of certain dogs, upon compliance with the license provisions in section 18-29 and the payment of impoundment fees set forth in this article.
(b) 
Any other animal impounded under the provisions of this article may be reclaimed by the owner upon the payment of impoundment fees set forth in this article.
(c) 
Any animal not reclaimed by its owner, other than dangerous or wild animals, may be humanely euthanized by the animal control department after being impounded for four days, after a reasonable effort has been made to identify and notify the owner of such dogs or other animals impounded and inform such owners of the conditions whereby they may regain custody of such animals, or placed in the custody of some person deemed to be a responsible and suitable owner who will agree to comply with the provisions of this article and such other regulations as shall be fixed by the animal control department. Provided, if the animal is one as to which the respective rights of the owner and the person in possession or custody are determined by state law, such law shall be complied with. In calculating the length of this time period, the day of impoundment shall not be considered day one.
(Ordinance 888, § 7, 3-26-91; Ordinance 1118, § 1, 7-25-00)
The Aransas County Animal Control Department will provide the animal control services to the City and will charge recipients for said services by establishing a permitting, registration, and fee system where appropriate.
(Ordinance 888, § 8, 3-26-91; Ordinance 1118, § 1, 7-25-00; Ordinance 1590, § 4, 9-25-12)
(a) 
The owners shall confine within a building or secured enclosure every fierce, dangerous dog, and not take such dog out of the building or secured enclosure unless the dog is securely muzzled.
(b) 
Every female dog or cat in heat shall be kept confined in a building or secured enclosure or in a veterinary hospital or boarding kennel in such manner that such female dog or cat cannot come in contact with another animal, except for breeding purposes.
(c) 
No wild animal may be kept within the city limits except under such conditions as shall be fixed by the animal control department; provided, however, that wild animals may be kept for exhibition purposes by circuses, zoos and educational institutions, in accordance with such regulations as shall be established by the city council.
(d) 
Any animal described in subsection (c) of this section found at large shall be impounded by the animal control department.
(e) 
Any dog, cat or other animal impounded for being a public nuisance may not be redeemed unless such redemption is authorized by any court having jurisdiction.
(f) 
When in the judgment of the animal control department or its agents an animal should be destroyed for humane reasons, such animal may not be redeemed.
(g) 
A dangerous dog, or a dog having caused the death of a person, ordered destroyed by a governmental agency responsible for animal control, under authority of V.T.C.A., Health and Safety Code § 826.033, shall be humanely euthanized as provided by regulation; or any other disposition deemed to be consistent with the protection of public health, safety and welfare.
(Ordinance 888, § 9, 3-26-91; Ordinance 1118, § 1, 7-25-00)
(a) 
Every animal which bites a person shall be promptly reported to the animal control department and shall thereupon be securely quarantined at the direction of the animal control department for a period of ten days, and shall not be released from such quarantine except by written permission of the animal control department. Such quarantine may be at the shelter designated as the city animal shelter or at the owner's option and expense, in a veterinary hospital of his choice. In the cases of stray animals or in the cases of animals whose ownership is not known, such quarantine shall be at the shelter designated as the city animal shelter.
(b) 
The owner, upon demand made by the animal control department, shall forthwith surrender any animal which has bitten a human or which is suspected as having been exposed to rabies for supervised quarantine, which expenses shall be borne by the owner, and may be reclaimed by the owner if adjudged free of rabies, upon payment of fees set forth in section 18-35 and upon compliance of licensing provisions set forth in section 18-29.
(c) 
When an animal under quarantine has been diagnosed as being rabid or suspected by a licensed veterinarian as being rabid and dies while under such observation, the animal control authority shall immediately send the head of such animal to the state department of health for pathological examination, and shall notify the proper public health officer of reports of human contacts and the diagnosis made of the suspected animal. The animal control department shall have the authority to contact a licensed veterinarian to permit the animal for shipping.
(d) 
When a report gives a positive diagnosis of rabies, the animal control department shall recommend a citywide quarantine for a period of 30 days and, upon the invoking of such quarantine, no animal shall be taken into the streets or permitted to be in the streets during such period of quarantine. During such quarantine, no animal may be taken or shipped from the city without written permission of the animal control department.
(e) 
During such period of rabies quarantine as mentioned in this section, every animal bitten by an animal adjudged to be rabid shall be forthwith destroyed or, at the owner's expense and option, shall be treated for rabies infection by a licensed veterinarian or held under 30 days' quarantine by the owner in the same manner as other animals are quarantined.
(f) 
If there are additional positive cases of rabies occurring during the period of the quarantine, such period of quarantine may be extended for an additional six months.
(g) 
No person other than the animal control officer or any police officer shall kill or cause to be killed any rabid animal; any animal suspected of having been exposed to rabies or any animal biting a human, except as herein provided; nor remove it from the city limits without written permission from the animal control department. The animal control officer and any police officer of this city shall have the right to shoot or kill any rabid animal or any dog or cat at large, which shall manifest a disposition to bite.
(h) 
The carcass of any dead animal exposed to rabies, upon demand, shall be surrendered to the animal control department.
(i) 
The animal control department shall direct the disposition of any animal found to be infected with rabies.
(j) 
No person shall fail or refuse to surrender any animal for quarantine or destruction as required when demand is made thereof by the animal control department.
(Ordinance 888, § 10, 3-26-91; Ordinance 1118, § 1, 7-25-00)
It shall be the duty of every physician or other practitioner to report to the animal control department the names and addresses of persons treated for bites inflicted by animals, together with such other information as will be helpful in rabies control.
(Ordinance 888, § 11, 3-26-91; Ordinance 1118, § 1, 7-25-00)
It shall be the duty of every licensed veterinarian to report to the animal control authority his diagnosis of any animal observed by him as a rabies suspect.
(Ordinance 888, § 12, 3-26-91; Ordinance 1118, § 1, 7-25-00)
(a) 
Hospitals, clinics and other premises operated by licensed veterinarians for the care and treatment of animals are exempt from the provisions of this article, except where such duties are expressly stated.
(b) 
The licensing and vaccination requirements of this article shall not apply to any dog or cat belonging to a nonresident of the city and kept within the city for not longer than 30 days; provided, all such dogs or cats shall at all times while in the city be kept within a building, enclosure or vehicle, or be under restraint by the owner. If a dog or cat is picked up and impounded, the owner must show certification of vaccination before the animal will be released; or, if not vaccinated, make arrangements to do so upon release of the animal.
(Ordinance 888, § 13, 3-26-91; Ordinance 1118, § 1, 7-25-00)
The owner, upon demand made by the animal control department, shall forthwith produce evidence that an animal is properly licensed and/or registered by the city by producing a current license receipt and, [as] required, the properly tagged animal. It is further provided that on receiving a report of an animal being kept in a reportedly cruel or inhumane manner, any agent of the animal control department may demand that the owner or person in control of such animal produce the animal for examination. Two or more violations of this chapter may result in revocation of licensing or registration.
(Ordinance 888, § 14, 3-26-91; Ordinance 1118, § 1, 7-25-00; Ordinance 1270, § 4, 11-18-03)
No person shall interfere with, hinder or molest any agent of the animal control department in the performance of any duty of such agent, or seek to release any animal in the custody of the animal control department or its agents, except as provided in this article.
(Ordinance 888, § 15, 3-26-91; Ordinance 1118, § 1, 7-25-00)
(a) 
It shall be the duty of the animal control department to keep, or cause to be kept, accurate and detailed records of the licensing, impoundment and disposition of all animals coming into its custody.
(b) 
It shall be the duty of the animal control department to keep, or cause to be kept, accurate and detailed records of all bite cases reported to it, and its investigation of same.
(c) 
It shall be the duty of the animal control department to keep or cause to be kept, accurate and detailed records of all monies which records shall be open to inspection at reasonable times by such persons responsible for similar records of a governmental entity and shall be audited annually in the same manner as other government records are audited.
(Ordinance 888, § 16, 3-26-91; Ordinance 1118, § 1, 7-25-00; Ordinance 1590, § 5, 9-25-12)
The animal control officer is authorized to provide a small animal trap from the animal control department for persons who wish to utilize this service and providing that sufficient traps are available. A deposit will be required, and the maximum time period for which the trap may be utilized is ten days. Extensions of the time period are available is approved in advance; otherwise, the trap will be picked up by the animal control officer. The animal control officer is also instructed to secure a release agreement with persons utilizing this service. If a trap is lost or stolen while under the control of such person, the person utilizing same shall pay its full value to the city.
(Ordinance 888, § 17, 3-26-91; Ordinance 1118, § 1, 7-25-00; Ordinance 1590, § 6, 9-25-12)
It shall be unlawful for any person raising or keeping chickens, turkeys, ducks, geese, guineas, pigeons or other fowl to permit or allow them to run at-large within the limits of the city.
(Ordinance 888, § 18, 3-26-91; Ordinance 1118, § 1, 7-25-00)
It shall be the duty of every person raising or keeping chickens, turkeys, ducks, geese, guineas, pigeons or other fowl to keep them in a pen, coop or enclosure, and such pen, coop or enclosure shall be a distance of at least 100 feet from every building or structure used for sleeping, dining or living, and shall be kept in a sanitary condition, not to create any public nuisance.
(Ordinance 888, § 17, 3-26-91; Ordinance 1118, § 1, 7-25-00; Ordinance 1270, § 5, 11-18-03)
It shall be the duty of every person raising or keeping rabbits, guinea pigs, white rats, white mice, hamsters and other small animals to keep such animals in a pen, coop or enclosure, and shall be kept in a sanitary condition and not create any public nuisance.
(Ordinance 888, § 20, 3-26-91; Ordinance 1118, § 1, 7-25-00; Ordinance 1270, § 5, 11-18-03)
(a) 
As used in this section, the term "large livestock" shall mean and include horses, mules, jacks, jennies, cows, cattle, hogs, sheep, goats, and similar animals. Any stable, shed, pen or other enclosure for livestock shall be a distance of at least 100 feet form every occupied building or structure used for sleeping, dining, living, or business, and shall be kept in a sanitary condition, and not create any public nuisance.
(b) 
As used in this section, the term "small livestock" shall mean and include all types of domesticated swine, sheep, goats and other than miniature livestock. Any stable, shed, pen, or other enclosure for livestock shall be a distance of at least 100 feet from every occupied building or structure used for sleeping, dining, living, or business, and shall be kept in a sanitary condition, and not create any public nuisance
(c) 
As used in this section, the term "miniature livestock" shall mean and include swine, sheep, goats and horses that have been specifically bred to be significantly smaller at maturity than all other breeds of similar animals. Miniature livestock includes, but is not limited to, pot-bellied pigs, pygmy goats, and miniature horses. Any miniature livestock shall be kept in a sanitary condition and not create any public nuisance.
(d) 
No livestock shall be kept in any stable, shed, pen or other enclosure less than 4,000 square feet.
(1) 
A person may not keep more than one head of livestock unless at least 4,000 square feet of space is available per head in any stable, shed, pen or other enclosure.
(2) 
This subsection shall not apply to calves under one year of age that were born on the premises to livestock kept continuously on the premises for six months or longer before the birth.
(e) 
Livestock or small and/or large animals that are kept as part of a project for a youth organizations are excepted some certain provisions of this section upon registration and notification to the director of environmental health or his designee in the Aransas County Animal Control Department.
(Ordinance 888, § 21, 3-26-91; Ordinance 1118, § 1, 7-25-00; Ordinance 1270, § 5, 11-18-03; Ordinance 1281, § 1, 3-9-04; Ordinance 1590, § 7, 9-25-12)
It shall be unlawful for the owner, keeper or person in charge of any livestock to allow or permit the livestock to run at-large within the limits of the city.
(Ordinance 888, § 22, 3-26-91; Ordinance 1118, § 1, 7-25-00)
This chapter shall apply to all persons owning or keeping animals within the City of Rockport, irrespective of circumstances existing prior to the adoption and effective date of this chapter or any amendments hereto.
Editor’s note—Ord. No. 1281, § 2, adopted Mar. 9, 2004, added provisions designated as § 18-49, Applicability of chapter. Inasmuch as other provisions bore the same section number and no specific repealer was given therefor, the applicability provisions were redesignated by the editor as § 18-50
(Ordinance 1281, § 2, 3-9-04)
(a) 
Exotic animals are prohibited within the city limits.
(b) 
As used in this section, the term "exotic animals" shall mean and include non-native species of animal, including, but not limited to, non-poisonous reptiles which, when mature, are over six feet in length, ostriches, any member of the Ratite Family or exotic livestock as defined by the Texas Animal Health Commission or so deemed wild or exotic by the Director of Environmental Health or his designee in the Aransas County Animal Control Department.
(c) 
No person shall keep or permit to be kept on his premises any dangerous wild, or exotic animal for display or for exhibition purposes whether gratuitously or for a fee.
(d) 
No person shall keep or permit to be kept any wild or exotic animal as a pet as defined in this article.
(e) 
No person may offer for sale a wild or exotic animal as defined in this article.
(Ordinance 1590, § 8, 9-25-12)
Representatives of the Aransas County Animal Control Department shall have the right of entry upon the premises of all animal establishments, circuses or commercial livery stables and into all areas thereof where animals are kept and maintained, for inspection to ascertain whether the animal establishment circus, or commercial livery stable is in compliance with the provisions of this article, and the standards and regulations established under the same.
(Ordinance 1590, § 8, 9-25-12)