For the purpose of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
ANIMAL. Any live or dead vertebrate creature, warm or cold blooded, domestic or wild.
ANIMAL CONTROL FACILITY. A city operated facility for impounding and caring for animals held under the authority of city ordinance.
ANTI-ESCAPE. Any housing, fence or device which animals cannot go over, under, through or around.
AT LARGE. As used herein, shall be construed to mean off of the premises of the owner or keeper, and not under the complete control of the owner or keeper, either by leash, cord, chain, rope or other physical restraint.
BITE. Puncturing or tearing of the skin by an animal's teeth.
CAT. Animal of the feline family both male and female.
CIRCUS. Commercial variety show featuring animal acts as public entertainment.
COMMERCIAL PROPERTY. A tract of land and/or building utilized for commercial or business uses in the city limits including temporary sites.
CURRENTLY VACCINATED. Vaccinated and satisfying the following criteria:
(1) The animal must have been at least three months of age at the time of vaccination;
(2) At least 30 days have elapsed since the initial vaccination; and
(3) Not more than 12 months have elapsed since the most recent vaccination.
CUSTODIAN. A person or agency that feeds, shelters, harbors or has possession or control or responsibility to control an animal.
DOG. Any live or dead Canine Familiaris excluding hybrids.
DOMESTIC ANIMAL. Tame, domesticated, of or pertaining to the family or household.
EXOTIC ANIMALS. Animals which are not livestock or typical domestic animals, including but not limited to the following; ferrets, pythons, boa constrictor, nonpoisonous spiders, scorpions, lizards.
FOWL. A bird of any kind, domestic or wild, cock or hen (Gallus Gallis)
HIGH RISK ANIMAL. Those which have a high probability of transmitting rabies, i.e., skunks, bats, foxes and raccoons.
IMPOUNDMENT. To place an animal in the city's animal control facility; or the taking into custody of an animal for purposes of transportation to the city's animal control facility.
ISOLATION. The keeping of an animal in a secure enclosure where it will have contact only with the person who feeds, waters and cares for it.
LIVESTOCK. Domestic animals used or raised on a farm, especially those kept for a profit; specifically horses, ponies, mules, donkeys, cattle, goats, rabbits, sheep and swine, regardless of age, sex or breed.
LOCAL RABIES CONTROL AUTHORITY. The City Animal Control Officer shall be designated as the Local Rabies Control Officer and shall handle all duties required under the Rabies Control Act of 1981, being Tex. Health and Safety Code, Ch. 826, and all amendments to that act.
OBSERVATION PERIOD. The ten day following a bite or scratch incident during which the offending animals health status must be monitored, the then ten-day observation period will begin on the day the incident occurred (day one).
OWNER. A physically and financially responsible person keeping or harboring one or more animals.
POSITIVE. Confined to a quarantine facility where the animal cannot make physical contact with other animals or humans, other than licensed veterinarian, Animal Control Officer or Shelter Operator.
PET SHOP. Any person, partnership or corporation, whether operated separately or in connection with another business enterprise, except for a licensed kennel, or stable that buys, sells or boards any species of animal.
QUARANTINE. Strict confinement, for the purpose of preventing the spread of disease, under restraint by closed cage, isolated kennel, rabies chamber, paddock or any other manner approved by the city at a facility approved by the Texas Department of Health.
QUARANTINE PERIOD. That portion of the observation period during which biting or scratching animal is physically confined for observation as provided for under the quarantine method and testing section of this chapter.
RABIES. An acute viral disease of human and animal affecting the central nervous system and usually transmitted by an animal bite, scratch or saliva.
RESTRAINT. With respect to a dog, means a chain, rope, tether, leash, cable or other device that attaches a dog to a stationary object or trolley system.
ROOSTER. The male of any type of domestic fowl.
SICK ANIMAL. Any animal that appears to be suffering from an infectious, contagious or communicable disease; or that is showing evidence of physical disorder, or traumatic injury; or that has an elevated temperature.
STRAY. Animal running free or at large; with no physical restraint.
TORTURE or CRUELTY. Every act, omission of neglect whereby unnecessary or unjustifiable pain or suffering is caused, permitted or allowed to continue when there is a reasonable remedy or relief.
VACCINATED. Properly injected with a rabies vaccine licensed for use in that species by the United States Department of Agriculture and administered by or under the direct supervision of a licensed veterinarian.
VETERINARY HOSPITAL. Any establishment maintained and operated by a veterinarian for surgery, diagnosis and treatment of diseases and injuries of animals.
VICIOUS.
(1) Any dog, cat or other domestic animal within the city that shall bite, scratch or otherwise attack a person who is not at the time trespassing upon the property of the owner or person having control of the animal or not otherwise provoking or teasing the animal shall be deemed vicious or dangerous to persons or other animals.
(2) Any animal, including any reptile, which by nature, is normally considered dangerous to person or other animals, shall be deemed vicious or dangerous to person or other animals.
WILD ANIMALS. All wolves, coyotes, panthers, lions, bobcats, cougars, black footed ferrets, skunks, armadillos, poisonous reptiles, raccoons, monkeys (non-human primate), and any other animal typically found in a zoo except the following:
(1) Domestic dogs;
(2) Domestic cats;
(3) Livestock; and
(4) Poultry.
(Ord. 1221, passed 1-3-2002; Ord. 10-1001, passed 2-18-2010; Ord. 10-1013, passed 7-15-2010; Ord. 23-1311, passed 4-13-2023)