The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this chapter, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:
Dog at large
shall be intended to mean a dog off the premises of the owner and not under the complete control of the owner, either by leash, cord, chain or otherwise.
Domestic animal
shall be deemed to include any dog, cat, or other domesticated animal, or pet.
Fowl
means all chickens, turkeys, ostriches, emus, rheas, cassowaries, peacocks, ducks, geese, guineas, pigeons or other barnyard or exotic birds, or birds raised for commercial purposes. Excluded from the definition of fowl are all parakeets, canaries, finches or other small birds kept as pets located in the family residence or dwelling.
Livestock
means all animals such as cattle, sheep, goats, horses, mules, donkeys, hogs or other barnyard animals. Excluded from the definition of livestock are dogs, cats and small animals which are kept as pets and housed inside the family residence or dwelling.
Owner
means any person owning, keeping, harboring, in charge of, or in control of an animal as a household pet.
Stray dog
means any dog running at large with no vaccination tag and no apparent owner.
Vaccination
means an injection of a type of vaccination approved by the state veterinarian and administered by a veterinarian licensed under state law.
(Code 1980, §§ 4.1, 4.20; Ordinance 4.50, adopted 9/9/1985; Ordinance of 1/20/2000(2), § 1)
The chief of police and all police officers shall have the right to enforce provisions of this chapter, and the chief of police is delegated responsibility to appoint, with approval of the city council, any person or persons to aid and assist him in carrying out enforcement of this chapter.
(Code 1980, § 4.2)
Any person violating any part of this chapter shall also, upon conviction, be subject to the penalties as provided in section 1-15 of this Code. The filing of a sworn complaint and the issuance of a citation by the municipal judge of the city shall be made and complied with according to the same procedures for due process as exists in the issuance of a class C misdemeanor.
(Code 1980, §§ 4.9, 4.11, 4.22; Ordinance of 8/11/1986, § 3; Ordinance of 1/20/2000(2), § 4)
It shall be unlawful for any person, with intent to injure a domestic animal, to place or cause to be placed within the corporate limits of the city any poison or other injurious substance designed to kill or injure any domestic animal.
(Code 1980, § 4.21)
The owner or person in possession of any dog, cat, or other animal shall keep yards, pens, enclosures in which such animals are confined in such a manner so as not to give off odors offensive to persons of ordinary sensibilities residing in the vicinity, or to breed or attract flies, mosquitoes, or other noxious insects, or, in any manner to endanger the public health or safety, or create a public nuisance.
(Ordinance of 8/11/1986, § 2)
(a) 
It shall be unlawful for any person to feed wild animals, birds, stray animals or feral/community cats, regardless of age, sex or temperament. It shall also be unlawful for any person to place food of any kind with the intent to feed wild animals, birds, stray animals or feral/community cats or to leave, store or maintain food of any kind in a manner or area accessible to wild animals, birds, stray animals or feral/community cats, including:
(1) 
On any vacant or undeveloped property or tract of land in any zoning area.
(2) 
On property not owned or occupied by the person feeding or attempting to feed said wild animals, birds, stray animals or feral/community cats.
(3) 
This section shall not apply to: Animal services officers or police officers for the City of Jefferson during the course of their official duties or a person caring for an infant or injured wild animal that is not capable of surviving on its own and said person possesses a valid Texas State Parks and Wildlife Rehabilitation Permit and said wild animal is kept in a secure manner and in accordance with all other city ordinances and state laws.
(4) 
The fine amount shall be $500.00 plus court costs and each day this is section is violated shall constitute a separate offense.
(b) 
If upon investigation, an animal services officer or police officer for the City of Jefferson, determines that a person is in violation of this section, the animal services officer or police officer at their discretion, may issue a warning or citation and time frame for compliance to said person. Each day that a violation is permitted to exist shall constitute a separate offense.
(Ordinance 2025-7-2 adopted 7/15/2025)