For the purpose of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
Animal. The term “animal” shall mean any warm-blooded vertebrate creature, domestic or wild, excluding the human species.
Animal control authority. The term “animal control authority” shall mean the Animal Services Division of the city, for purposes of Health and Safety Code 822.001, as amended, and the provisions of this chapter.
Animal control officer. The term “animal control officer” shall mean a person designated by the city as a primary enforcement officer regulating animals and owners of animals for the enforcement of state laws and regulations pertaining to the care and control of animals, or his or her designee(s).
Animal exhibition. The term “animal exhibition” shall mean a circus, carnival, or event owning or maintaining animals for purposes of displaying or performing in exhibitions of temporary duration not to exceed 30 days, where attendance of the general public is solicited, operating under a contract, lease, special event permit, or otherwise approved by the city.
Animal Services Division. The term "Animal Services Division" shall mean the department(s) or division(s) of the city designated by the City Manager to administer and/or enforce the provisions of this chapter and any person or persons designated by such a division or department to represent the division or department for said purpose.
Animal services manager. The term "animal services manager" shall mean the person designated by the city manager as manager of the Animal Services Divison.
Animal shelter. The term “animal shelter” shall mean the facility designated by the city for the purpose of housing and caring for impounded, stray, homeless, abandoned or unwanted animals, or any other animals held under authority of this chapter.
At-large. The term “at-large” shall mean running free or otherwise without physical or other restraint whether on or off the premises of its owner.
Breeding permit. The term "breeding permit" shall mean a permit issued pursuant to Section 13-42 of this chapter.
Cat. The term “cat” shall mean a domestic feline of either sex, including one that has been sterilized. (any Felis catus according to TAC 169.22, as amended).
Circus or carnival. The term “circus” or “carnival” shall mean a commercial variety show featuring animal acts for public entertainment that is licensed under the Federal Animal Welfare Act or licensed by Texas Department of State Health Services according to the provisions of chapter 824 of the Health and Safety Code, as amended.
Competition dog or cat. The term "competition dog or cat" shall mean a dog or cat that has been registered with a local, state, national or international club or organization that has been recognized by the animal services manager as a club or organization that maintains standards for breeds and/or health of dogs/cats; or, registered with a club or organization that holds, sponsors, or licenses conformation dog shows, obedience trials, agility trials, field trials, rally trials, tracking tests, hunt tests, or other competitive events recognized by an organization such as The American Kennel Club at least once a year.
Dangerous wild animals or reptiles. The term “dangerous wild animals or reptiles” shall mean one not normally considered domesticated, that is wild by nature. Dangerous wild animals or reptiles shall include but are not limited to the following: alligators, bats, bears, bobcats, cheetahs, coyotes, crocodiles, foxes, hyenas, jackals, jaguars, leopards, lions, lynx, monkeys and other non-human primates, mountain lions, ocelots, panthers, raccoons, skunks, tigers, venomous snakes, wildcats, wolves, hybrids of the above listed animals.
Dog. The term “dog” shall mean any Canis familiaris, excluding wolf, jackal, fox, or other dangerous wild animal of this family or any hybrids of a dangerous wild animal.
Dog Park. The term "dog park" shall mean any public or private property designated by the City to allow dog owners to allow their dogs to run unrestrained.
Domestic fowl. The term “domestic fowl” shall mean any fowl normally adapted to live in intimate association with humans or for the advantage of humans.
Fowl. The term “fowl” shall mean any heavy bodied, terrestrial bird of the order galliformes, including but not limited to chickens, ducks, geese, pheasants, turkeys, grouse, guineas, or other common domestic fowl, but not including caged pet birds kept inside a building.
Harboring. The term “harboring” shall mean the act of keeping or caring for an animal including, but not limited to, the providing of food, shelter, or medical attention for the animal.
High risk animal. The term “high risk animal” shall mean those animals which have a high probability of transmitting rabies; they include skunks, bats, species of foxes indigenous to North America, coyotes, and raccoons.
Impound. The terms "impound", "impounded", and "impoundment" refer to the seizure and holding of animals that are not the property of the City of Longview, and said terms do not refer to any animal owned by the City of Longview, including without limitation any animal for which ownership has been conveyed to the City of Longview by the owner and any animal that has become the property of the City of Longview pursuant to Section 13-4 (b) of this chapter.
Intact. The term "intact" shall mean an animal that has not been sterilized.
Intact pet permit. The term "intact pet permit" shall mean a permit issued pursuant to Section 13-41 of this chapter.
Kennel. The term “kennel” shall mean an establishment designed or used for the commercial boarding, selling, breeding, or training of animals; occasional sales of registered animals kept primarily as pets or show animals and not primarily for breeding purposes shall not constitute commercial activity for purposes of this definition.
Livestock. The term “livestock” shall mean any horse, swine, cattle, sheep, goat, mule, jack, emu, ostrich or rhea.
Low risk animal. The term “low risk animal” shall mean those which have a low probability of transmitting rabies; they include all animals of the orders Marsupialia, Insectivora, Rodentia, Lagomorpha, and Xenarthra.
Microchip. The term "microchip" shall mean a small device that is designed to be placed under the skin and that contains a unique number that is read by an eletronic scanning device for the purpose of animal identification and recovery by the animal's owner.
Owner. The term “owner” shall mean any person, corporation, partnership, trust, or association or other entity owning, keeping, or harboring an animal or who has possession or control or has the responsibility to control an animal, other than a person who temporarily restrains an animal pursuant to Section 13-14 of this chapter.
Person. The term “person” shall mean any individual, corporation, partnership, trust, association or other legal entity.
Pet animal. The term “pet animal” shall mean dogs, cats, rabbits, rodents, birds, non-poisonous reptiles, and any other species of animal which is sold or retained as a household pet, but shall not include any species of wild, exotic, or carnivorous animal that may be prohibited elsewhere in this chapter.
Pet shop. The term “pet shop” shall mean an establishment where pet animals are kept for either retail or wholesale sale or trade by any person.
Poultry. The term “poultry” shall mean all domesticated fowl which are kept in captivity.
Qualified researcher. The term “qualified researcher” shall mean an individual conducting research projects, scientific, or academic investigation with respect to a wild animal owned or maintained on the premises of a bona fide research institution as defined in this chapter.
Quarantine. The term “quarantine” shall mean strict confinement under restraint by closed cage or paddock or on the premises of the owner in any other manner approved by the local rabies control authority or designee or at a facility approved by the local rabies control authority or designee.
Rabies. The term “rabies” shall mean an acute viral disease of human and animal affecting the central nervous system usually transmitted through the bite of a rabid animal and/or including the condition commonly known as rabies.
Rabies vaccination. The term “rabies vaccination” shall mean the vaccination of a dog, cat or other domestic animal with a rabies vaccine administered by a veterinarian licensed by the State of Texas.
Rescue organization. The term "rescue organization" shall mean a group that has filed a certificate of formation with the Texas Secretary of State; and, are deemed tax exempt by the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts and the Federal Internal Revenue Service; and, does not create a public nuisance as defined in Section 13-9 of this chapter.
Research institution. The term “research institution” shall mean a permanent state-accredited or licensed academic institution which owns or maintains captive wild animals under the direction of a professional staff and provides its collection of animals with appropriate care for the purpose of education, research, or scientific study.
Restraint or restrained. The term “restrained” shall mean:
(a) confined on the premises of the owner within a fence or enclosure of sufficient strength to control the actions of the animal; or
(b) fastened or picketed by a lead, rope, or chain so as to keep the animal on premises of the owner; or
(c) under the control of a person by means of a harness, leash, chain, or similar device attended by a person of sufficient strength to prevent the animal from running at large; or
(d) on or within a vehicle being driven or parked if it is:
(1) contained in a closed, vented, animal carrier large enough to allow the animal to stand and turn around without difficulty, that is secured in such a manner as to prevent the carrier from being thrown from the vehicle in the event of a collision; or
(2) secured by a leash or other device that is cross-connected to prevent the animal from falling, jumping, or being thrown from the motor vehicle and from strangling on a single lead.
The term “restraint” shall mean any of the methods of restraining an animal set forth in this definition.
Shelter. The term “shelter” shall mean protection from the elements including heat, cold, rain, ice, or snow by means of walls and solid overhead covering such as a dog house or shed. A tree does not constitute proper shelter.
State-licensed breeder. The term "state-licensed breeder" shall mean a person who holds a valid license issued under Chapter 802 of the Texas Occupations Code.
Sterilized. The term "sterilized" shall mean any animal rendered incapable of reproducing, such as by spaying or neutering..
Stray animal. The term “stray animal” shall mean an animal that is not restrained.
Valid. The term "valid" shall mean currently in effect and not expired, revoked or suspended.
Wildlife. The term “wildlife” shall mean any animal which occurs naturally in a wild state. This includes any animal which is a wildlife hybrid.
Zoo, zoological park, or animal park. The term “zoo”, “zoological park”, or “animal park” shall mean any premises, whether mobile or stationary, where living animals that normally live in a wild state are kept primarily for display to the general public; that is accredited by the American Association of Zoological Parks and Aquariums or licensed under Animal Welfare Act or by Texas Department of State Health Services according to the provisions of Chapter 824 of the Health and Safety Code, as amended.
(Ord. No. 3728, 11-11-10; Ord. No. 4054, § 2, 5-24-16; Ord. No. 4523, § 2, 11-14-24)