Chapter 4 ANIMALS AND Fowl* Art. 1. In General, 4-1.-4-20 Art. 11- Control of Animals, 4-21 -4-69 Div. 1. Generally, 4-21-4-35. Div. 2. Rabies Control, 4-35-4-60 Div. 3. Impoundment, 4-61-4-69 Sec. 4-1. Cruelty to animals. ARTICLE 1. IN GENERAL It shall be unlawful for any person to torture, cruelly beat, starve or otherwise treat any animal in a cruel or inhumane manner. (Code 1960, 6-1-1) Cross reference-inhumane treatment of animals, 4-27. Sec. 4-2. Livestock running at large. It shall be unlawful to permit any horse, mule, goat, cattle, sheep, swine, geese, chicken or fowl to run at large within the city. (Code 1960, 6-2-1) Sec. 4-3. Limitations on number of swine; exception. (a) It shall be unlawful for any person to keep or have in his custody, possessionor control within the city more than two (2) swine. (b) The prohibition set forth in subsection (a) shall not apply to operators of slaughter- house, packing plants, livestock sales or auction businesses or places of business holding swine for the purposes of sale or slaughter; however, it shall be unlawful for any such operator to have in his custody, control or possession any swine for a period in excess of forty-eight (48) hours. (c) It shall be unlawful for any person to keep any swine within five hundred (500) feet of any residence, other than the residence of the livestock owner, or within five hundred (500) feet of any business establishment which is regularly used by the general public. (Code 1960, 6-2-2) Sec. 4-4 distance requirements for hoofed animals. It shall be unlawful for any person I keep cows, horses, goats or other hoofed animals in a pen or enclosure within one hundred (100) feet of any residence, other than the residence of the owner. or within one hundred (100) feet of any business establishment other than the business establishment of the owner keeping the animals for sale. *State law reference-authority to regulate animals, Vernon s Ann. Civ. St. art. 1015(14) (17). sups. No. 1 311 (Code 1960, 6-2-3) Sec. 4-5. Diseased animals and fowl. It shall be unlawful for any person to have or keep any animal or fowl infected with a disease which may contaminate other animals or fowl or which may constitute a health hazard. (Code 1960, 6-2-4) Sec. 4-6. Impoundment.
Any peace officer or any agent of the city humane department shall take up and impound any animal found within the city limits in violation of sections 4-1 through 4-5 of this article. Cross reference-impoundment generally, 4-61. Sec. 4-7. Impoundment fees. The following shall be the fees charged: (1) For taking up and impounding per head-the fee charged by the person so doing; (2) For taking care of animals per head per day, exclusive of the date of impoundment four dollars ($4.00); (3) The amount of the charge made by any veterinarian, where required. For the purpose of determining the fee in subparagraph (2) above, the date shall begin at 12:01 am. after the date of impoundment. The full fee of four dollars ($4.00) shall be charged for all or any portion of that day and any day thereafter. No animals shall be released to the owner until all of the above impoundments fees have been paid. (0rd. No. 0-2A-86, 1, 2-3-86) Cross reference-fees, 4-69. Sec. 4-7.1 Sale of impounded animals; notice of sale; disposition of proceeds. The city humane department shall sell animals impounded under the provisions of this article at public auction for cash after having held the animal for at least five (5) days and after having published public notice of the item, terms and place of sale in : daily newspaper published in the city, which notice shall appear one (1) time at least five (5) full days prior to the date of sale and shall describe the animals impounded and state that the animal will be sold to defray costs if it is not reclaimed and the costs paid before the date of sale. If not reclaimed by such day, it shall sell the animal at public auction between the hours of 10:00 am. and 4:00 pm. on such day to the highest bidder; and after deducting all the expenses of the sale and taking up and keeping of such animal shall return the balance of the proceeds, if any, to the owner of the animal. If the owner is unknown, the balance shall be paid into the city treasury. Any time within six (6) months after the sale, the owner may apply to the city administrator, and upon satisfactory proof of his ownership, he shall be entitled to receive the amount paid into the treasury on account of such sale. Sec. 4-7.2. Disposition of impounded animals. If any animal impounded under the provisions of this article, is found to be infected with rabies, or if the animal is seriously injured, or if the head of the city humane department has determined it is not saleable, or if it cannot be sold as provided in the preceding section, it shall forthwith be destroyed or disposed of otherwise. All decisions as to the condition or sailability of animals shall be made by the head of the city humane department, after seeking competent advice if same be necessary, except that no horse, cow, mule, sheep, or goat shall be destroyed or disposed of under this section without approval of the city administrator. Cross reference-disposition of impounded dogs and cats, 4-63. Sec. 4-7.3. Redemption of impounded animals-before sale. The owner of any animal not infected with contagious disease impounded under the provisions of this article may redeem the same, before it is sold, by paying the poundage fees as set out in section 4-7 of this Code. Cross reference-removal of animals from animal shelter, 4-67. Sec. 4-7.4. Same-After sale.
The owner of any animal impounded and sold under the provisions of this article may redeem it by paying to the purchaser double the amount paid by him for such animal and his reasonable expenses for keeping it; provided, that the owner redeems the animal within thirty (30) days after the date of sale, otherwise the animal becomes the absolute property of the purchaser. Sec. 4-7.5. Record of impoundment and sale. The city humane department shall keep a record for at least three (3) years, giving the description of all animals impounded, the date of impounding, the date of sale, the amount realized for such animal, and the name and address of the purchaser. Sec. 4-7.6. Confinement of animal by owner of private premises; notice to animal control department. If any animal is found upon the premises of any person, the owner or occupant of the premises shall have the right to confine such animal temporarily until he can notify the city humane department. When notified, it shall be the duty of the department at once to cause such animal to be impounded as provided in this article. Sec. 4-8. Maintenance of pens and enclosures. (a) All pens and enclosures wherein farm livestock, chickens, turkeys, geese, guineas, dogs, cats or other animals are kept shall be maintained and kept in sucha manner as not to become unsanitary or offensive to persons residing in the vicinity thereof and so as not to breed flies or in any manner cause any injury to the health of the public residing in the vicinity of the pen or enclosure. (b) The determination that such a pen or enclosure is unsanitary or offensive to such persons; that such pen or enclosure is being maintained or kept so as to breed flies; or that such a pen or enclosure is maintained in any manner as to cause any injury to the health of the public residing in the vicinity of the pen or enclosure, shall be made by the city humane officer, or the city manager or his authorized representative. Such determination shall be prima facie evidence of violation of this section. Sec. 4-8.1. Staking and grazing. It shall be unlawful for any person to stake any livestock for the purpose of grazing upon or within reach of any public street, alley, sidewalk or public place within the limits of the city. Sec. 4-9. Right of entry. Any officer or designated agent of the city charged with the enforcement of the provisions of this chapter is hereby authorized to enter upon any unfenced lot, tract or parcel of land for the purpose of seizing and impounding any animals or fowl found therein in violation of the provisions of this chapter. Sec. 4-10. Penalty for violation of chapter. Any person who shall violate any of the provisions of this Chapter 4 shall be guilty of a misdemeanor. Upon conviction thereof such person shall be fined a sum not exceeding one thousand dollars ($1,000.00). Each and every day of such violation shall be a separate and complete offense. (0rd. No. O4A-86, t, 2-3-86) Editor s note Ord. No. 0-2A-86, 1, adopted Feb. 3, 1986, added provisions designated as Art. IV to Ch. 4. At the discretion of the editor, said provisions have been included as 4-10 herein. Secs. 4-11-4-20. Reserved.
ARTICLE 11. CONTROL OF ANIMALS* DIVISION 1. GENERALLY Sec. 4-21. Definitions. When used in this article, the following words and terms, unless the context indicates a different meaning, shall be interpreted as follows: Cat: A domestic feline of either sex, including one neutered or sterilized. Dog: A domestic canine of either sex, including one neutered or sterilized. Domestic animal: Shall include the following species: dog, cat, horse, cow, pig, sheep, and goat. Does not include hybrid individuals resulting from crossing wild with domestic species. Harboring: The act of keeping and caring for an animal or of providing a premise to which the animal returns for a period of three (3) days. Owner: A person who has right of property in an animal or who harbors any animal or allows an animal to remain about his premises for a period of three (3) days. Pet animal: Shall include dogs, cats, rabbits, rodents, birds, 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 further restricted in this article. Police department: Shall mean the reporting agent for the purposes of this article, whose duties consist of the following: (1) Receiving all reports of animal bites and scratches to to humans. (2) Receiving all reports of suspected rabid animals. (3) Investigation of all reported animal bites and scratches and suspected rabid animals. (4) Order quarantine, if appropriate, of any animal which has exposed an individual or which may be rabid. (5) Other duties as entailed by the text of this article. Rabies vaccination: Shall mean the vaccination of a dog, cat or other domestic animal with an antirabies vaccine approved by the United States Department of Agriculture and administered by a seminarian licensed by the State of Texas. Running at large: Shall pertain to a dog off the premises of the owner and not under the physical control of the owner or his authorized representative. An animal intruding upon the property of another person other than the owner shall be termed running at large An animal within an automobile or other vehicle of its owner shall not be deemed running at large. Stray animal: Any animal for which there is not an identifiable owner or harborer. Vicious animal Any animal that commits an unprovoked attack upon a person on public or private property or that attacks, threatens to attack or terrorizes a person on public property or in a public place. Wild animal: Refers to any mammal native to North America except the domestic species (dog, cat, horse, cow, pig, sheep, goat). (Ord. No. 0-3-85, 1.1-1.2, 3-18-85) Sec. 4-22. Animals running at large.
It shall be unlawful for any dog, owned, kept, or harbored to run at large, as is defined in section 4-21 of this article. The police or animal control officer shall have the authority to impound such animals running at large. They shall furthermore be enabled by this article to enter onto privately owned property in pursuit of an animal at large so long as in doing so they do not violate a property owner s posted or no-trespassing notice. (Ord. No. 0-3-85, a 5.1, 3-18-85 Cross reference-cats prohibited from running at large, 4-25.1(c). See. 4-23. Nuisance declared. It shall be unlawful for any owner to harbor any dog, cat, or other pet animal which by any sound or cry or other activity shall disturb the peace, comfort, or property of the inhabitants of the neighborhood, and such disturbance is hereby declared to be a public nuisance and a violation of this article. (Ord. No. 0-3-85, j 5.2, 3-18-85) Sec, 4-24. Confinement during estrus. Any unspayed female dog in the stage of estrus (heat) shall be confined during such period of time in a house, building or secure enclosure and said area of enclosure shall be so constructed that no other dog may gain access to the confined animal. Owners who do not comply shall be ordered to remove the animal in heat to a boarding kennel, veterinary hospital or animal shelter. Al1 expenses incurred as a result of the confinement shall be paid by the owner. Failure to comply with the removal order of the animal control officer shall be a violation of this section and the dog will then be impounded as prescribed in this section. (0rd. No. 0-3-85, 5.3, 3-18-85) Sec. 4-25. Vicious animals. (a) Generally: No person shall own or harbor a vicious animal within the City of Crockett. Such, an animal shall be impounded as a public nuisance. If impoundment of said animal ruining it large cannot be made with safety to the animal control officer or other persons, the animal may be destroyed without notice to the owner or harborer. Guard dogs: It shall be unlawful to place or maintain any dog which has been specifically trained to attack in any area for the protection of persons or property unless the dog is physically confined to a specific area or is under complete and absolute control. The area or premises in which a guard dog is confined must be conspicuously posted with warning signs bearing letters not less than two (2) inches high. (Ord. No. 0-3-85, 6.1, 6.2, 3-18-85) *Editor s note-ord. No. 0-3-85, 1.1-14.1, adopted March 18, 1985, has been treated by the editors as superseding Art. 11 in its entirety. Formerly, Art. 11, consisting of Div. 1, 4-21 4-32, and Div. 2, 4-46, 4-47, pertained to dogs and was derived from Ord. No. 0-6-79, 1-10, adopted June 4, 1979, as amended by Ord. No. 0-8A-81, 2, adopted Aug. 3, 1981. Inasmuch as Ord. No. 0-3-85 was not specifically amendatory of the Code, the designation of said ordinance as Art. 11, Divs. 1-3, herein has been at the discretion of the editor. Sec. 4-25.1. Cats; restrictions on keeping. (a) Definitions. The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this herein, shall have the meaning ascribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning. (1) At large shall mean any cat which is off the premises of the owner, and not under the control of the owner or a member of his immediate family, either by a leash, chain, cord or other suitable material attached to a collar or access. (2) Cats shall mean both male and female of the cat (feline) kind over six (6) months of age. (3) Owner shall mean any person who owns, keeps or harbors a cat. (b) Limit on cats. No person shall keep on his or her premises more than five (5) cats at any one time.
(c) Cats prohibited from running at large; impoundment; impoundment fees. (1) No person shall permit a cat to run at large within the city. Any cat found running at large in violation of this subsection shall be taken up and impounded. (2) Impoundment fees shall be the same as those specified in section 4-7. Editor s note-ord. No. 0-2A-86, 1, adopted Feb. 3, 1986, added Art. 111, 4-48-4-50 to Ch. 4. At the discretion of the editor, said sections have been redesignated 4-25.1 of Art. 11 in order to keep related provisions together. Due to the nature of provisions presently included in Art. 11 4-51 as enacted by Ord. No. 0-2A-86 has been omitted. See also the editor s footnote to Art. 11. See 4-26. Animals prohibited. (a) Wild exotic animals: It is hereby prohibited and it shall be unlawful for any person to import, offer for sale, keep, maintain, harbor or permit in the city any monkey, other nonhuman primate, skunk, raccoon, jaguar, leopard, lynx, tiger, lion, ocelot, bobcat, cheetah, mountain lion, wildcat, panther, bear, wolf, coyote, fox, other carnivorous animal or poisonous reptile. (b) Endangered species: It is hereby prohibited and it shall be unlawful for any person to import, offer for sale, keep, maintain, harbor, or permit in the city any endangered species of animal as defined by the United States Department of the Interior or the Texas Department of Parks and Wildlife. (c) Exceptions: This section shall not apply to: (1) A bona fide publicly or privately owned zoological park. (2) A bona fide research institution using animals for scientific research. (3) A circus duly authorized to do business in the city. (Ord. No. 0-3-85, 10.1-10.3, 3-18-85) Sec. 4-27. Inhumane treatment. (a) Cruelty to animals: It is hereby prohibited and it shall be unlawful for any person to commit or cause to be committed any act of cruelty, harassment, or torture to any animal or intentionally cause such animal to be mutilated or inhumanely killed. Ownership, or the commission of such ants of cruelty on private property shall not be a justifiable defense for violation of this section. (b) Poisoning: It is hereby prohibited and it shall be unlawful for any person to poison any domestic animal or to distribute poison or toxicants on public or private property in any manner whatsoever with the intent of poisoning any domestic animal. (c) Abandoning animals: It is hereby prohibited and shall be unlawful for any person to willfully abandon any animal; or to withhold food or water from any animal such that its health is endangered, or it is caused to suffer unduly. (d) Display or sale of dyed or immature animals: It is hereby prohibited and it shall be unlawful for any person to possess, display, sell, barter, or give away dyed, colored or in any way artificially treated baby chicks, ducklings, fowl, rabbits or any animals as pets, play- things, novelties, gifts, or for any other purpose. This section shall not be construed to prohibit their display by hatcheries, stores, owners, dealers, or persons engaged in the business of selling such immature animals to be raised for food; but no such hatcheries, stores, owners, dealers or persons shall sell or give away baby chicks, ducklings, or any other immature domestic fowl as pets, playthings, novelties or gifts. (e)fighting animals: It is hereby prohibited and it shall be unlawful for any person to cause, instigate or encourage any dog or other animal to fight with another of its own species or with another of a different species. It shall be unlawful for any person to train or keep any dog or other animal for the purposeof fighting. It shall be
unlawful for any person to maintain a place where any dog exhibition or for wager or for sport. (Ord. No. 0-3-85, 11.1-11:5, 3-18-85) Cross reference-cruelty to animals, 4-1. or other animal is permitted to fight for Sec. 4-28. Interference with police department, control officer or their authorized representatives. It shall be unlawful for any person to interfere with, molest, hinders or prevent the police fit their authorized representatives in the discharge of their duties as herein or control officer or prescribed, or to violate any of the provisions of this article. (0rd. No. 0-3-85, 12.1, 3-18-85) Cross reference-right of entry, 4-9. Sec. 4-29. Fines; violations. The police department of the City of Crockett will establish a schedule of fines for the violation of the provisions of this article. This schedule of fines will be subject to review and approval by the city council and will be subject to such periodic review and revision as deemed necessary for proper implementation and enforcement of the provisions contained herein. The following is in the initial schedule of fines for violation of the provisions of this article, which initial schedule shall remain in effect until a different schedule is approved by the city council. The fines shall be mandatory for each offense, and each day of noncompliance shall constitute a separate offense. (1) Dog at large, first offense... $25.00 (2) Dog at large, second offense... 50.00 (3) Dog at large, third offense... 75.00 (0rd. No. 0-3-85, 13.2, 3-18-85-, Ord. No. 0-11-96, 1, 11-4-96) Sec. 4-30. Keeping of records. It shall be the duty of the police department and animal control officer of the City of Crockett to maintain such records as deemed necessary to the enforcement of all provisions of this article and have those records available for display to the city council, or to the public at any time during regular business hours of the police department. (Ord. No. 0-3-85, 9 13.2, 3-18-85) Cross reference-record of impoundment and sale, 4-7.5. Sec. 4-31. License and vaccination required. (a) Generally. All dogs and cats which are kept, harbored, or maintained by their owners within the corporate limits of the city shall be licensed and vaccinated. Before a license will be issued, the owner of the dog or cat must present a certificate from a licensed veterinarian showing that the dog or cat has been vaccinated within the preceding twelve (12) calendar months. In the application for all licenses, the owner shall state his name and address, and the breed, color and sex of the dog or cat to be licensed. The license remains with the dog or cat. (b) Categories. Licenses shall be applied for according to the following categories: Type of License Category of Dogs or Cats Eligible VaccinationRequired? Fee* 65 or Over Initial license Dogs or cats 4 months of age or older Not until the animal attains the age of 4 months, whereupon proof of vaccination shall be submitted to city $10.00 $4.00 Annual license (must be renewed every 12 months from date of issuance) Dogs or cats 4 months of age or older Yes $10.00 $4.00 Annual license must be renewed every 12 months from date of issuance Dogs or cats 4 months of age or older that have been neutered or spayed Yes $10.00** $4.00 Subject to a seven-dollar service charge if license is not obtained on or before expiration of prior license or within four (4) months of birth in the case of initial registration with the city. Duplicate tag fee is one dollar ($1.00).
**Owners of spayed or neutered Animals must pay the license fee only one (1) time, upon showing of proof from a licensed veterinarian of the spaying or neutering of the animal in question. Provided, that the provisions relating to service charge apply in the event that the annual license is not obtained on or before expiration of the prior license. (c) Penalty for violation. Any person, as defined in section 1.07(38), Texas Penal Code, who shall violate any provision of the section shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction shall be punished by a fine not to exceed two hundred dollars ($200.00). (ORd. No. 0-9D-88, 1, 2, 9-19-88; Ord. No. 0-11-96, 2, 11-4-96) Cross reference vaccinations required, 4-37. Secs. 4-32 +35. Reserved. Sec. 4-36. Rabies control authority. DIVISION 2. RABIES CONTROL In the City of Crockett, the rabies control authority shall be Crockett Police Department. (Ord. No. 0-3-85, 2.1, 3-18-85) Sec. 4-37. Vaccinations required. Every owner of a dog or cat four (4) months of age or older shall have such animal vaccinated against rabies. Annual vaccination shall be required thereafter. Any person moving into the city from a location outside of the city shall comply with this division within ten (10) days after having moved into the city. (Ord. No. 0-3-85, 2.2, 3-18-85) Cross reference-license required, vaccinations, 4-31. Sec. 4-38. Certificate of vaccination. Upon vaccination, the veterinarian shall execute and furnish to the owner of the dog or cat as evidence thereof, a certificate upon a form furnished by the veterinarian. The veterinarian shall retain a duplicate copy. Such certificate shall contain the following information: (1) Owner s name, address, and telephone number. (2) Animal identification: Species, age, sex, size (in 1bs.), predominant breed, and colors. (3) Vaccine used, producer, expiration date, and serial number. (4) Date vaccinated. (5) Rabies tag number. (6) Veterinarian s signature and license number. (Ord. No. 0-3-85, 2.3, 3-18-85) Sec. 4-39. Rabies tags. (a) Concurrent with the issuance and delivery of the certificate of vaccination referred to in section 4-38, the owner of the dog shall cause to be attached to the collar or harness of the vaccinated dog a metal tag, serially numbered to correspond with the vaccination certificate number and bearing the year of issuance and the name of the issuing veterinarian and his address. (b) In the event of loss or destruction of the original tag provided in subsection (a), the owner of the dog shall obtain a duplicate tag. (Ord. No. 0-3-85, 2.4, 2.5, 3-18-85)
Sec. 4-40. Proof of vaccination. It shall be unlawful for any person who owns or harbors a fascinated dog or cat to fail or refuse to exhibit his copy of the certificate: of vaccination upon demand to any person charged with the enforcement of this article. (Ord. No. 0-3-85, a 2.6, 3-18-85) Sec. 4-41. Harboring unvaccinated animals. It shall be unlawful for any person to harbor any dog or cat which has not been vaccinated against rabies, as provided herein, or which cannot be identified as having a current vaccination certificate. (Ord. No. 0-3-85, 2.7, 3-18-85) Sec. 4-42. Animals exposed to rabies. Any person having knowledge of the existence of any animals known to have been or suspected of being exposed to rabies must immediately report such knowledge to the police department giving any information which may be required. For any animal known to have been, or suspected of being exposed to rabies, the following rules must apply: (a) Unvaccinated animals which have been bitten or directly exposed by physical contact with a rabid animal or its fresh tissues should be: (1) Humanely killed; or (2) If sufficient justification for preserving the animal exists, the exposed animal should be immediately vaccinated against rabies, placed in strict isolation for six (6) months and given a booster vaccination one month prior to release from isolation. (b) Vaccinated animals which have been bitten or otherwise significantly exposed to a rabid animal should be: (1) Humanely killed; or (2) If sufficient justification for preserving the animal exists, the exposed vaccinated animal should be given a booster rabies vaccination and placed in strict isolation for three (3) months. (c) These provisions apply only to domestic animals for which an approved rabies vaccine is available. (Ord. No. 0-3-85, 2.8, 3-18-85) Sec. 4..43. Reporting bites from animals susceptible to rabies; related procedures. (a) Duty to report: Any person having knowledge that an animal has bitten a human shall lice department. Every physician or other medical immediately report the incident to the police practitioner who treats a person or persons for such bites shall, within twelve (12) hours, report such treatment to the local health authority or his agent, giving name, age, sex, and precise location of the bitten person or persons and such other information as the police or animal control officer (ACO) may require. (b) Exclusions: Human bites from rodents, rabbits, birds and reptiles are excluded from the reporting requirements of this section. (c) Suspected rabies: Any veterinarian who clinically diagnoses rabies or any person who suspects rabies in a dog, cat or other domestic or wild animal shall immediately report the incident to the police department stating precisely where such animal may be found. If a known or suspected rabid animal bites or attacks a domestic animal, such incident shall also be reported as required above. (d) Confinement of dogs and cats: Any dog or cat which has bitten a person shall be observed for a period of ten (10) days from the date of the bite. The procedure and place of observation shall be designated by the police department. If the dog or cat is not allowed an at-home quarantine, confinement shall be by impoundment in any Crockett veterinary hospital of the owner s choice. Such confinement shall be at the expense of the owner. Stray dogs or cats whose owners
cannot be located shall be confined in a local veterinary hospital. The owner of any dog or cat that has been reported to have indicted a bite on any person shall, on demand, produce said dog or cat for impoundment, as prescribed in this section. Refusal to produce said dog or cat constitutes a violation of this section, and each day of such refusal shall constitute a separate and individual violation. At no time shall a dog or cat be allowed an at-home quarantine if it is in violation of any provision of this article. (e) Removal of dogs and cats from confinement: It shall be unlawful for any person to remove from any place of confinement any dog or cat which has been confined as authorized without consent of the police or control officer. (f) Procedures for other animal bites: Procedures concerning bites from other animals shall be discussed with the animal control officer, or the Texas Department of Health for proper disposition. Any wild animal which has bitten a person should be caught and killed, and the brain immediately submitted to a qualified laboratory for rabies examination. An exception to this rule may be allowed for large, exotic, or valuable zoo species, which by reason of their close confinement would be unlikely rabies vectors. Rodents, rabbits, birds, and reptiles are not considered to be transmitters of the rabies virus and should not be submitted for laboratory examination for rabies. (Ord. No. 0-3-85, 3.1-3.6, 3-18-85) Secs. 4-44-4-60. Reserved. Sec. 4-61. Generally. DIVISION 3. IMPOUNDMENT Animals owned or harbored in violation of this article or any other ordinance or law of the State of Texas shall be taken into custody by an animal control officer or other designated official and impounded. Stray animals shall be similarly impounded. (0rd. No. 0-3-85, 7.1, 3-18-85) Cross reference-impoundment, 4-6. Sec. 4-62. Injured animals. Animals injured on public property may be impounded and given adequate veterinary medical treatment pending notification of the owner. If the injured animal is treated and/or impounded, the owner of such animal shall be liable for all expenses of the treatment and/or impoundment; however, disposition may be made according to section 4-63. (Ord. No. 0-3-85, 5.4, 3-18-85) Sec. 4-63. Disposition of impounded dogs and cats. As soon as practicable after impoundment, if the owner of the impounded dog or cat is known, immediate notice shall be given to him. Any impounded dog or cat which has rabies tags may be redeemed by the owner upon payment of the impoundment fee, care and feeding charges and such other costs as set by the city council. If such animal is not redeemed within three (3) days, and after reasonable effort has been made to locate its owner, it shall be considered abandoned and may be placed for adoption subject to payment of the impoundment fee, care and feeding charges, veterinary charges, and such other costs as set by the city council, or the animal may be humanely euthanized (killed) or placed under the supervision of a licensed veterinarian. (Ord. No. 0-3-85, 7.5, 3-18-85) Cross reference-disposition of impounded animals, 4-7.2. Sec. 4-64. Disposition of impounded animal being held on complaint. If a complaint has been filed in city court in the City of Crockett against the owner of an impounded animal for violation of this article, the animal shall not be released except on the order of the court which may also direct the owner to pay any penalties for violation of this article in addition to all impoundment fees. The court may, upon making a finding that such animal is vicious or that it represents a clear and present danger or nuisance to the citizens or other animals in the community, order said animal to be euthanized in a humane manner. Surrender of an animal by the owner thereof to the animal control officer does not relieve or render the owner immune from the decision of the court, nor to the fees and fines which may result from a violation or violations of this article. (Ord. No. 0-3-85, 7.6, 3-18-85)
Sec. 4-65 Disposition of diseased animals. Any animal taken into custody by the animal control officer, except animals which have inflicted human bites during the preceding ten (10) days and that are visibly affected with any sign of communicable disease other than rabies which are being held at the impounding facility, may instead of being impounded, be humanely destroyed provided: (a) That any animal which has inflicted any human or animal bite during the preceding ten (10) days have its head removed by the animal control officer and submitted to the laboratory for rabies examination. (b) Any animal exhibiting symptoms of rabies must be handled in a manner authority. (Ord. No. 0-3-85, 7.7, 3-18-85) prescribed by the local health Sec. 4-66. Removal of biting dogs and cats from confinement. The impoundment of dogs and cats that have indicted human bites shall be for a period of ten (10) days for observation and shall not be terminated until consent from the police department is secured. (Ord. No. 0-3-85, 7.4, 3-18-85) Sec. 4-67 Removal of animals from animal shelter. It shall be unlawful for any person to remove any impounded animal from an animal shelter without the consent of the animal control officer. (Ord. No. 0-3-85, 7.3, 3-18-85) Cross reference-redemption of impounded animals, 4-7.3, 4-7.4. Sec. 4.68 Adoptions. (a) An individual may adopt a dog or cat from the city animal shelter under the following conditions: (1) The animal has been classified as adoptable by the supervisor of animal control; (2) The prospective adopter has proper facilities to care for the animal; (3) The prospective adopter obtains the necessary vaccinations; and, (4) The prospective adopter pays the applicable fee of fifteen dollars ($15.00) for a dog and ten dollars ($10.00) for a cat; and (5) Agrees to have the animal neutered if a male, or spayed if a female within thirty (30) days after adoption, or or else the animal control supervisor shall have the right of immediate return of the animal to the animal shelter, provided the supervisor shall allow additional time in the case of dogs or cats less than six (6) months of age. (b) The supervisor of animal control may refuse to allow a person to adopt a cat or dog of whom he has reason to believe the person adopting: (1) Would not have proper facilities to contain or care for the animal as required by this Code; or (2) Wants the dog or cat for the purpose of resale or for purposes other than pet owner- ship; or (3) That the cat or dog would be a hazard to humans or other animals. (Ord. No. 0-3-85, 14.1, 3-18-85)
Sec. 2-69. Fees. The initial fee schedule set forth and approved by the city council of the City of Crockett is as follows: (1) Impoundment fee, dog or cat... $10.00 (2) wildlife capture at premise... 25.00 (3) daily boarding fee cat or dog... 4.00 (4) Adoption fee (see section 4-68). (Ord. No. 0-3-85, 13.1, 3-18-85) Cross reference-impoundment fees, j 4-7. Supp. No. 1 (The next pages 3951 324