Animal Ordinances

§ 90.80 IMPOUNDMENT.

Animals owned or harbored in violation of this chapter or law of the state may be taken into custody by an animal control officer or any law enforcement agent and impounded under the provisions of this chapter.

(`75 Code, § 3-37) (Ord. 1997-8, passed 7-1-98; Am. Ord. 1998-24, passed 11-17-98)

Back

§ 90.81 DISPOSITION OF IMPOUNDED ANIMALS.

A.     All animals impounded by the Animal Control Division will be held at the animal shelter for a minimum of three shelter working days. During that time period, the owner may present proof of ownership to the shelter and, after paying all applicable fees, reclaim the animal. If the animal is not claimed within this time period, it will become the property of the Erath County Humane Society on the fourth shelter working day.

 B.     All animals brought to the shelter by a person other than the Animal Control Officer, to include the owner or harborer, will immediately become the property of the Erath County Humane Society. 

C.     All animals brought to the shelter by the Animal Control Division or any other person, to include the owner or harborers, which are obviously sick, injured or diseased, will immediately become the property of the Erath County Humane Society. 

D.     As required by state law, it will be the duty of the County Sheriff's Office to take up any livestock for impoundment. 

E.      All animals other than dogs, cats, livestock or strays in the city impounded by the Animal Control Division, or brought to the shelter by any other person, to include the owner or harborer, will become the property of the Erath County Humane Society, unless such ownership is prohibited by state or federal law. 

F.      Once an animal becomes the property of the shelter, the Erath County Humane Society will retain the sole authority to determine the final disposition of each animal in its custody. The society will not place any animal for adoption that is classified in this chapter as prohibited. Animals will be euthanized by an injection of sodium pentobarbital or substances approved for euthanasia by the American Veterinary Medical Association and/or the Texas Veterinary Medical Association. All animals listed as endangered or protected will be transferred to the proper authority at the earliest possible date, if transportation is allowed by state law.

(`75 Code, § 3-38) (Ord. 1997-8, passed 7-1-98; Am. Ord. 1998-24, passed 11-17-98)

Back

§ 90.82 ANIMALS HELD ON COMPLAINT.

If a complaint has been filed in Municipal Court for the city against the owner of an impounded animal for a violation of this chapter, the animal will not be released except on the order of the Animal Control Division. The Animal Control Division may also direct the owner to pay any penalties for violation of this chapter in addition to all impoundment fees. Surrender of an animal by the owner to the Animal Control Division does not relieve or render the owner immune from the decision of the court, nor from the fees and fines which may result from a violation of this chapter.

(`75 Code, § 3-39) (Ord. 1997-8, passed 7-1-98; Am. Ord. 1998-24, passed 11-17-98)

Back

§ 90.83 REMOVAL OF ANIMALS FROM CONFINEMENT.

No person shall remove from any place of confinement any dog or cat which has been confined as authorized, without the consent of the impounding agency.

(`75 Code, § 3-40) (Ord. 1997-8, passed 7-1-98; Am. Ord. 1998-24, passed 11-17-98) Penalty, see § 10.99

Back

§ 90.84 ANIMALS AT LARGE.

(A) No person owning or harboring an animal will permit such an animal to run at large. The animal control officer, or his/her agent, and peace officers are authorized to impound any animal mentioned in this chapter which is in violation of this section.

(B) Any officer of the city is authorized to take up and deliver to the Erath County Humane Society any animal mentioned in this chapter that may be found at large in the corporate limits of the city, subject to the applicable provisions of the law. Any person harboring such an animal who fails to notify and/or surrender the animal to the Animal Control Division is subject to civil and/or criminal action.

(`75 Code, § 3-41) (Ord. 1997-8, passed 7-1-98; Am. Ord. 1998-24, passed 11-17-98) Penalty, see § 10.99

Back

§ 90.85 CONFINEMENT DURING ESTRUS.

Any unsterilized female animal in the state of estrus (heat) will be confined during such period of time in a house, building or secure enclosure. The area of enclosure will be so that no undesirable animal may gain access to the confined animal. Owners who do not comply will be ordered to remove the animal in heat to a veterinary hospital. All expenses incurred as a result of this confinement will be paid by the owner. Failure to comply with the removal order of the Animal Control Division will be a violation of this chapter and the animal will then be impounded as prescribed in this chapter.

(`75 Code, § 3-42) (Ord. 1997-8, passed 7-1-98; Am. Ord. 1998-24, passed 11-17-98) Penalty, see § 10.99

Back

§ 90.86 FEES.

All impoundment fees will be assessed by the City Council.

(`75 Code, § 3-43) (Ord. 1997-8, passed 7-1-98; Am. Ord. 1998-24, passed 11-17-98)

Back  Animal Ordinance