OR 13 Adopts animal control laws concerning dogs ORDINANCE NO. 13
AN ORDINANCE FOR THE CITY OF COPPELL, TEXAS, DEFINING
THE TERM "DOG"; PROVIDING FOR ANNUAL VACCINATION OF DOGS;
MAKING IT UNLAWFUL FOR DOGS TO RUN AT LAEGE WITHIN THE CITY;
PROVIDING OFFICERS WITH AUTHORITY TO IMPOUND DOGS; PROVIDING
OFFICERS WITH AUTHORITY TO SURRENDER IMPOUNDED DOGS TO COUNTY
OFFICERS; PROVIDING FOR THE QUARANTINING OF DOGS EXPOSED TO
RABIES; MAKING IT UNLAWFUL TO KEEP UNUSUALLY LOUD BARKING OR
HOWLING DOGS; PROVIDING A PENALTY; PROVIDING A SEVERABILITY
CLAUSE AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY.
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
COPPELL, TEXAS:
Sectlon 1: "DOG" DEFINED--For the purpose of this
article the word "dog" shall mean all members of the family
canidae which includes dogs~ wolves, jackals, foxes and all
domesticated carnivorous animals.
Section 2: All dogs more than slx (6) months old
are required to be immunized agalnst rabies by a 11censed
veterinarian and by means of any approved standard vacclne
for the prevention of rabies. Whosoever administers such
vaccine shall issue to the owner or person having such dog
vaccinated~ a certificate of vacclnation~ statlng the name of
the owner~ the address where the ~og is kept~ description of
the dog~ date of vaccination, the number of the rabies vaccina-
tion tag and the kind of vaccine used. He shall also furnish
to the owner of such animal a metal tag, one side of which is
stamped "Rabies Vaccine Administered" or a similar phrase and
the date of vaccination. Such tag shall, at all times, be
securely attached to a collar or a harness around the neck or
body of the dog vaccinated.
Section 3: RUNNING AT LARGE--I~ shall be unlawful for
the owner or hatborer of any dog to permit such dog to run at
large upon the steers, alleys or any public place within the
city. Such dog shall at all times be under the control of his
owner, a member of the owner's family, his servant or agent.
Section 4: DUTY OF OFFICERS TO IMPOUND--It shall be
the duty of the Chief of police~ Health Officer, Dog Catcher
or Police Officer to cause to be taken up or impounded all
dogs loose or at large in violation of the terms of this
article, and such officer is hereby authorized to deliver said
impounded dog to any County Officer charged with the duty of
apprehending and impounding dogs for the County.
Section 5: REDEMPTION--The owner of any dog impounded
under the terms of this article shall have the right to redeem
same by complying with the requirements of the County Official
to which said dog was given for impoundment. All such animals
not redeemed in accordance with the regulations of the County
may be destroyed or otherwise disposed of by the County.
Section 6: QUARANTINE REQUIRED--EXPOSURE TO RABIES
OR RABIES SYMPTOMS--Any dog that has rabies or symptoms thereof
or has been suspected of having rabies or has been exposed to
rabies, shall be immediately penned and securely confined by
its owner in such a way that said dog cannot escape therefrom
nor any other dogs or other animals come in contact with said
dog, and kept there under supervision of the City or County
Department of Public Health for a period of not less than
sixty (60) days.
Section 7: BITING OR ATTACKING PEOPLE--Every dog
or animal that bites, scratches or.otherwise attacks any
person within the city limits, shall be immediately and
securely confined by the owner, or one having custody, for
a period of ten (10) days subject to inspection from time
to time so as to be able to determine whether such animal
is infected by rabies. Such animal may be quarantined and
held for a like time in any veterinary hospital. After
such period of time and in the event such animal is deter-
mined to be free of rabies, such animal may be returned to
its owner, or if not claimed thereafter may be given to
another owner or destroyed if a new owner cannot be found.
SECTION 8: RABID DOG TO BE REPORTED--It shall be
the duty of the owner or harborer or practicing veterinarian
to report to the Chief of Police of the City of Coppell,
Texas, all cases of rabies or other diseases communicable
to human beings which he comes in contact with or to which
his attention has been directed. This report shall be made
immediately upon diagnosis or suspicion of such cases of
rabies.
Section 9: BARKING--Any person who shall harbor or
keep on his premises or in or about his premises under his
control, any dog which, by loud or unusual barking or howling,
shall cause the peace and quiet of the neighborhood or the
occupants of adjacent premises to be disturbed, or reasonably
liable to be disturbed, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.
Section 10: PENALTY--Any person violating any
provision of this ordinance shall be deemed guilty of a mis-
demeanor and upon conviction shall be fined not to exceed the
sum of Two Hundred ($200.00) Dollars..-.Ea~h day such violation
shall occur shall constitute a separate offense.
Section 11: SEVERABILITY CLAUSE--If any article,
paragraph, sub-division, clause or phrase or provision of
this ordinance shall be adjudged invalid or held unconstitutional,
the same shall not effect the validity of this ordinance as a
whole or any part or provision thereof other than the part so
decided to be invalid or unconstitutional.
Section 12: The need of the City of Coppell, Texas,
for an ordinance providing for the control and vaccination of
dogs within the City creates an emergency and an urgency for
the preservation of the public health, safety and welfare
and requires that this ordinance shall take effect immediately
from and after its passage as the law in such cases provides.
DULY PASSED BY THE CITY COUNCIL on the 1st day
of June, 1964.
W.T. Cozby
Mayor
ATTEST:
E.C. Gentry
City Secretary