Animal Ordinances

 

Animal Care

90.20 General care

90.21 Cruel treatment

90.22 Abandonment

90.23 Injured animal

 

90.231 Leaving an animal in a vehicle

 

90.24 Poisonous substances, traps

90.25 Theatrical exhibits

§ 90.20 GENERAL CARE.

No owner will fail to provide an animal in his/her care with sufficient good and wholesome food or water, adequate shelter and protection from weather, veterinary care when needed to prevent suffering and humane care and treatment. Shelter shall be of sufficient size to allow each animal to stand up, lie down and turn around in a natural position and must have three sides, a roof and a floor.

(`75 Code, § 3-21)  (Ord. 1997-8, passed 7-1-98; Am. Ord. 1998-24, passed 11-17-98)  Penalty, see § 10.99

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§ 90.21 CRUEL TREATMENT.

No person will cruelly treat any animal or cause, instigate or permit any type of fighting between animals or between animals and humans.

(`75 Code, § 3-22)  (Ord. 1997-8, passed 7-1-98; Am. Ord. 1998-24, passed 11-17-98)  Penalty, see  §10.99. Statutory reference:  Cruelty to animals, see Tex. Penal Code § 42.09 42.10

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§ 90.22 ABANDONMENT.

  1.  In this section, "abandon" means to leave an animal in any place without providing reasonable and necessary care for the animal, under circumstances under which no reasonable, similarly situated person would leave an animal. Reasonable and necessary care means shelter, food, and water.

  2. A person commits an offense if, having custody, care, or control of an animal, he intentionally abandons the animal in any place under circumstances that expose the animal to an unreasonable risk of harm.

  3. An offense under this section is a Class C misdemeanor.

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§ 90.23 INJURED ANIMAL.

Any person who, as the operator of a motor vehicle, strikes a domestic animal will immediately report such injury or death to the animal's owner or report the accident to the appropriate law enforcement agency or to the Erath County Humane Society.

(`75 Code, § 3-24)  (Ord. 1997-8, passed 7-1-98; Am. Ord. 1998-24, passed 11-17-98)

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§90.231.  LEAVING AN ANIMAL IN A VEHICLE.

  1. A person commits an offense if he intentionally or knowingly leaves an animal in a motor vehicle or in the bed of a pickup for longer than five minutes, knowing that: 

1.  the outside temperature is above 85 degrees; and 

2. the windows are not rolled down far enough to allow the animal to be cooled; and

3.      did not provide water for the animal. 

4.      the outside temperature is below 40 degrees 

B.     An offense under this section is a Class C misdemeanor.

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§ 90.24 POISONOUS SUBSTANCES, TRAPS.

No person will expose any known poisonous substance, whether mixed with food or not, that may  be eaten by any domestic animal or person. This section is not intended to prohibit use of herbicides, insecticides or rodent control materials. No person will operate an open trap or metal jaw type that is exposed to any domestic animal or person.

(`75 Code, § 3-25)  (Ord. 1997-8, passed 7-1-98; Am. Ord. 1998-24, passed 11-17-98)  Penalty, see § 10.99

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§ 90.25 THEATRICAL EXHIBITS.

A.     All theatrical exhibits, as defined in § 90.02, will, in addition to other requirements of this chapter, comply with the minimum standards of this section. Facilities will be subject to inspection by an animal control officer upon his/her request during reasonable hours.

 B.     Animal quarters will be of sufficient size to allow each animal to stand up, lie down and turn around in a natural position.

 C.     Each enclosure will be maintained in a comfortable and healthy temperature level as well as adequate ventilation.

D.     No animal will be caused to fight, wrestle or be physically matched against any other animal or person.

E.      No animal will perform or be displayed in any dangerous situation that presents the danger of physical injury to the animal or person.

(`75 Code, § 3-26)  (Ord. 1997-8, passed 7-1-98; Am. Ord. 1998-24, passed 11-17-98)  Penalty, see § 10.99

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