(a) The provisions of Chapters 823 and 826 of the Texas Health and Safety Code, as amended, are incorporated into this article by reference.
(b) The director is designated as the local rabies control authority for purposes of Chapter 826 of the Texas Health and Safety Code, as amended, and shall perform the duties required of a local rabies control authority under that chapter and under rules adopted by the Texas Board of Health pursuant to that chapter. (Ord. 26024)
The director will develop written policies and procedures for all animal services operations, including standards for city animal shelters; the training of animal services personnel; the care, euthanasia, and disposition of animals in the custody of animal services; the form and maintenance of records relating to impounded animals; and the transfer and adoption of dogs and cats. (Ord. 26024)
(a) The director is authorized to quarantine an animal as provided in Chapter 826 of the Texas Health and Safety Code, as amended, and the rules adopted by the Texas Board of Health under that chapter.
(b) Any person with knowledge of a likely rabies exposure to a human must report the incident to the director as soon as possible after the incident. This requirement does not apply to contact with low-risk animals as defined in 25 TAC §169.22.
(c) An owner of an animal commits an offense if, upon notification by the director that the animal has bitten, scratched, or likely exposed a person to rabies, the owner fails to either:
(1) surrender the animal immediately to the director for quarantine at a city animal shelter;
(2) immediately deliver the animal to a veterinary clinic approved by the director for quarantine at the owner's expense; or
(3) quarantine the animal on the owner's property in a secure enclosure approved by the director. (Ord. Nos. 26024; 30483)
(a) The director or the chief of police is authorized to seize and impound any animal:
(1) in the city that is loose;
(2) for protective custody;
(3) required to be quarantined under Section 7-2.4;
(4) seized pursuant to a warrant or court order;
(5) that is a prohibited animal and kept in the city in violation of Section 7-6.1;
(6) posing a threat to the public health or safety; and
(7) displaying signs and symptoms of extreme health concerns.
(b) If an animal is impounded, except pursuant to Subsection (a)(4) and Section 7-2.6(e), the director shall make a reasonable effort to locate the animal's owner by sending notice using contact information from the animal's vaccination tag, microchip, or other identification. Additionally, the director shall call all telephone numbers listed as part of the contact information.
(1) A notice delivered pursuant to this subsection is deemed to be received on the earlier of the date actually received, or the third day following the date upon which the notice was sent. On the second calendar day following receipt of notice, the animal becomes the sole property of the city and is subject to disposition as the director deems appropriate.
(2) If the director is unable to locate contact information for the animal's owner from the animal's vaccination tag, microchip, or other identification, the director shall hold the animal at an animal shelter for a period of 72 hours, after which the animal becomes the sole property of the city and subject to disposition as the director deems appropriate.
(c) If an animal described in Subsection (a) is on private property, the impounding officer may enter the property for the purpose of impoundment or issuance or a citation, or both.
(d) The director is the designated caretaker of a loose, impounded, or surrendered animal immediately upon intake at the animal shelter.
(e) Visitation of a seized animal is prohibited.
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