(A) 
In compliance with the Constitution of the United States, the Texas Constitution, and the Texas Penal Code, whenever it is necessary to make an inspection to enforce any of the provisions of or perform any duty imposed by this chapter or other applicable law, or whenever the DCO has reasonable cause to believe that there exists in any building or upon any premises any violation of the provisions of this chapter or other applicable law, the DCO is hereby authorized to enter such property at any reasonable time and to inspect the same and to perform any duty imposed upon the DCO by this chapter or other applicable law, provided that if such property be occupied, he shall first present proper credentials to the occupant and request to enter explaining his reason therefor.
(B) 
Subject to the provisions of the Constitution of the United States and the Texas Constitution, if the DCO has reasonable cause to believe that the keeping or the maintaining of any animal is so hazardous, unsafe, or dangerous as to require immediate inspection to safeguard the animal or the public's health and safety, he shall have the right immediately to enter and inspect such property, and may use any reasonable means required to effect such entry and make such inspection, whether or not permission to inspect has been obtained. If the property is occupied, he shall first present proper credentials to the occupant and demand entry, explaining the reasons therefore and purpose of the inspection.
(C) 
No person shall fail or refuse, after proper demand has been made upon him as provided in this section to permit the DCO to make any inspection.
(D) 
The applicant's acceptance of any permit issued pursuant to this section does thereby provide consent and the permit holder agrees to the entry upon the premises described in the permit by the DCO or Animal Services Officer for the purpose of conducting such inspections as are required by this chapter and other applicable state law.
(Ordinance 4287 adopted 11/18/2025)
(A) 
Animal Service Officers, when acting in the course and scope of their employment, shall be and are hereby authorized to carry on their persons or in City vehicles, loaded firearms or weapons of a type and caliber approved by the DCO for animal control and not in violation of any provision of the Texas Penal Code or other applicable law.
(B) 
Each Animal Services Officer shall receive initial and recurrent training in the use of any type of firearm or tranquilizing gun approved by the DCO, in order to establish and assure satisfactory proficiency in the use of such weapons.
(Ordinance 4287 adopted 11/18/2025)
(A) 
All duly appointed and qualified Animal Services Officers and the DCO are authorized to issue written notices to persons violating this chapter or any other ordinance governing the regulation of animals within the City.
(B) 
The provision of notice in this section is not a condition precedent to the prosecution of an offense alleged to have occurred under this chapter. Failure to provide the notice specified in this section shall not be a defense to the prosecution of an offense alleged to have occurred under this chapter.
(Ordinance 4287 adopted 11/18/2025)
(A) 
In addition to any authority derived elsewhere, appropriate city personnel, including the DCO and Animal Services Officers, are expressly empowered and authorized to go upon public and private premises for the purpose of the enforcement of this chapter, state statutes, and the Texas Penal Code relating to animals, when necessary to protect the health, welfare, and safety of the inhabitants of the city.
(B) 
It shall be unlawful for any person to hinder, resist, or oppose the DCO or Animal Services Officer in the performance of their duties under this chapter or conceal or secrete any animal from any such officer or person.
(C) 
It shall be unlawful for any person to prevent, interfere with, obstruct, or give false information to any Animal Services Officer or the DCO who is in the lawful discharge of their duties under this chapter, state, local, or federal laws.
(D) 
It shall be unlawful for any person to fail to comply with any lawful order of an Animal Services Officer or the DCO issued by said Animal Services Officer or the DCO during the enforcement of this chapter, state, local, or federal laws.
(E) 
It shall be unlawful for a person to make a claim of ownership for an animal that he knows is false.
(F) 
It shall be unlawful for a person to make a report of a violation of city ordinance or state, local, or federal law that he knows is false.
(Ordinance 4287 adopted 11/18/2025)
(A) 
It shall be unlawful for any person to violate any of the provisions of this chapter or of the Code of Ordinances, as amended, and any such violation shall be deemed to be a misdemeanor and, upon conviction of such violation, such person shall be punished by a penalty of fines as set forth in section 10.99 for each offense. Each and every day, any such violation shall continue shall be deemed to constitute a separate offense.
(B) 
Neither allegation nor evidence of a culpable mental state is required for the proof of an offense defined by this chapter, except as otherwise specifically stated.
(C) 
Prosecution for an offense under this chapter does not prevent the use of civil enforcement remedies or procedures applicable to the person charged with or the conduct involved in the offense.
(D) 
In addition to any other remedies or penalties contained in this chapter, the City may enforce the provisions of this chapter pursuant to the applicable provisions of Texas Local Government Code, Chapter 54, which provides for civil action and the enforcement of municipal ordinances.
(Ordinance 4287 adopted 11/18/2025)
In the event any provision of this chapter conflicts with the CZO, building codes, or chapter 154 of the Code of Ordinances, this chapter shall prevail.
(Ordinance 4287 adopted 11/18/2025)