(A) It shall be unlawful for any person in a park to:
(1) Capture, attempt to capture, hunt, tease, molest, injure, trap or administer or set out any trap or harmful substance for any wild or domestic animal, reptile, bird or fish, or remove or have in his/her possession the young, eggs or nest of any animal, reptile or bird, unless such person first obtains a permit from the Director of Parks and Recreation or designee or engages in such activities in a designated park or a designated area within a park where such activities have been authorized by the Director of Parks and Recreation or designee.
(2) Ride a horse or other animal, except in areas or on paths or trails designated by park rules and regulations. This prohibition shall not apply to a duly authorized mounted patrol officer in the performance of his/her official duties.
(3) Permit animal waste caused by an animal owned or possessed by him or her to remain on park property, unless properly disposed of in a trash receptacle.
(4) Fail to have in his/her possession materials or implements that, either alone or in combination with each other, can be used immediately in a sanitary and lawful manner to remove and dispose of waste the animal owned or possessed by him/her may deposit on park property.
(5) Permit an animal owned or possessed by him/her to enter or remain on a league athletic playing field/facility enclosed by a fence. A "league athletic playing field/facility" is designed and maintained for league play of sports activities approved by the Director or the Park Board, such as football, soccer, tennis, softball and baseball.
(6) Permit an animal owned or possessed by him/her to run at large, or permit any such animal in a park unless it shall at all times be restricted or kept on a leash no greater than 15 feet in length, or allow an animal owned or possessed by him to remain unattended on park property.
(B) It is an exception to § 96.23(A) that:
(1) The animal is a police service animal under the supervision of a police officer in the performance of his/her official duties; or
(2) The animal is a water fowl at a city-owned facility; or
(3) The animal is a "service animal" performing duties of assisting the disabled; or
(4) The animal is a dog lawfully allowed in an off-leash area as defined by this chapter.
(Ord. OR-2197-20, passed 12-14-20) Penalty, see § 10.99
Cross reference:
Statutory reference:
Cruelty to animals, see Tex. Penal Code, § 42.09