Loading...
OR 96-777 Animal Services & Animal Services Officer AN ORDINANCE OF TFIE C1TY OF COPPELL, TEXAS ORDINANCE NO. 96777 AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF COPPELL, TEXAS, AMENDING THE CODE OF ORDINANCES BY AMENDING CHAFFER 9, ARTICLE 9-1 BY CHANGING THE REFERENCE TO ANIMAL CONTROL TO ANIMAL SERVICES AND THE REFERENCE TO ANIMAL CONTROL OFFICER TO ANIMAL SERVICES OFFICER; BY AMENDING SECTION 9-1-1 TO AMEND THE DEFINITION OF DANGEROUS DOG; BY AMENDING SECTION 9-1-4 PERTAINING TO AGE REQUIREMENT FOR ANIMAL VACCINATION; BY AMENDING SECTION 9-1-5A AND C PERTAINING TO THK AGE OF A DOG OR CAT REQUIRING REGISTRATION AND LICENSE; BY AMENDING SECTION 9-1-14A, C AND D PERTAINING TO THE REPORT AND QUARANTINE OF AN ANIMAL BITE OF ANOTHER ANIMAL; BY AMENDING SECTION 9-1-18B(3) AND (4) AND SECTION 9- 1-18C(4) REGARDING THE REGISTRATION AND CARE OF A DANGEROUS DOG; BY AMENDING SECTION 9-1-15E REGARDING ANIMAL NUISANCE NOISE; BY AMENDING SECTION 9-1-20A LIMITING PERMITS TO SHOW OR EXHIBIT ANIMALS FOR THIRTY DAYS AND TO PROVIDE PERMITS ARE NOT TRANSFERABLE; PROVIDING A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; PROVIDING A REPEALING CLAUSE; PROVIDING A PENALTY OF FINE NOT TO EXCEED THE SUM OF FIVE HUNDRED DOLLARS ($500.00) FOR EACH OFFENSE, EXCEPT WHERE A DIFFERENT PENALTY HAS BEEN ESTABLISHED BY STATE LAW FOR SUCH OFFENSE, OR FOR ANY VIOLATION OF ANY PROVISION WHICH GOVERNS PUBLIC HEALTH OR SANITATION WHICH SHALL BE PUNISHED BY PENALTY OF FINE NOT TO EXCEED THE SUM OF TWO THOUSAND DOLLARS ($2,000.00) FOR EACH OFFENSE; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE. BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COPPELL~ TEXAS: SECTION 1. That the Code of Ordinances of the City of Coppell, Texas, be, and the same is hereby, amended by amending Chapter 9, Article 9-1, Sections 9-1-1, 9-1-4, 9-1-5A, 9-1-5C, 9-1-14A, 9-1-14C, 9-1-14D, 9-1-18B(3) and (4), 9-1-18C(4), 9-1-15E and 9-1-20A, in part, to read as follows: ] SS4630 "Chapter 9 GENERAL REGULATIONS Article 9-1 ANIMAL SERVICES Sec. 9-1-1 Definitions. In this Article the following words and terms shall have the following meanings ascribed to them unless the context indicates othenvise: Abandon shall mean to dump, desert, or leave any animal on public or private property with the intent of terminating any further responsibility for said animal; and shall also mean failing to properly redeem any animal impounded or quarantined by the City. Animal shall mean any living creature, domestic or wild, including, but not limited to, dogs, cats, cows, horses, birds, fish, mammals, reptiles, insects, fowls, and livestock but specifically excluding human beings. Animal Services Officer shall mean the person designated by the City Manager to enforce this Article or an authorized representative. Cat shall mean a domesticated animal that is a member of the felidae (feline) family but does not include a lion, tiger, bobcat, jaguar, panther, leopard, cougar, or other wild animal of this family or hybrids. Dangerous Dog shall mean a dog that: 1. makes an unprovoked attack on a person that causes bodily injury and occurs in a place other than an enclosure in which the dog was being kept and that was reasonably certain to prevent the dog from leaving the enclosure on its own; or 2. commits unprovoked acts in a place other than an enclosure in which the dog was being kept and that was reasonably certain to prevent the dog from leaving the enclosure on its own and those acts caused a person to reasonably believe that the dog will attack and cause bodily injury to that person. Designated veterinarian shall mean a licensed veterinarian who has been approved by the City to collect fees for and issue licenses for animals. Dog shall mean a domesticated animal that is a member of the canldae (canine) family but does not include a wolf, jackal, fox or other wild animal of this family or hybrids. 2 884630 Guard Dog shall mean any dog which has been trained for the purpose of protecting property by a guard dog company which is required to be licensed pursuant to Article 4413(29bb) V.T.C.S., as amended l~om time to time. Hybrid shall mean the product of the mating of two different species of animals regardless of the number of generations born since that original mating. Licensed Veterinarian shall mean a person licensed to practice veterinarian medicine. Livestock shall mean horses, or any member of the domesticated horse family, including but not limited to, mules, donkeys, and ponies; and all types of varieties of cattle, bulls, and all members of the cow family, and all types of domesticated swine, sheep and goats. Local Rabies Control Authority shall mean the person designated by the City Council in Accordance with Section 826.017 of the Texas Health and Safety Code (Vemon Supp. 1996). Miniature Swine shall mean any member of the swine family which has, through selective breeding, been genetically manipulated so as to attain a maximum height of 18 inches at the shoulder and a maximum weight of 60 pounds. Owner shall mean any person owning keeping or harboring an animal. Person shall mean an individual, firm, partnership, association, corporation or other legal entity. Prohibited Animal: 1. Means an animal, other than a common domestic species and regardless of state or duration of captivity, that poses a potential physical or disease threat to the public or that is protected by intemational, federal or state regulations, including but not limited to the following: A. Class Reptilia: Family Helodermatidea (venomous lizards); Family Viperidae (rattlesnakes, copperheads, cottonmouths, other pit vipers and tree vipers); Family Elapidae (coral snakes, cobras, mambas, and other elapids); the following listed species of Family Colubridae - Dispholidus typus (Boomslang), Hyrodynastes gigas (water cobra), Boiga (mangrove snake), 3 884630 and Thelotomis (Afxican twig snake) only; Order Phidin, Family Boidae (racers, boas, water snakes, and pythons); and Order Crocodilia (crocodiles, a,l[igators, calmans, and gavials); B. Class Aves: Order Falconiforms (such as hawks, eagles, and vultures); Subdivision Ratitae (such as ostriches, rheas, eassowaries, and emus); and Order Striglforms (such as owls); C. Class Mammalia: Order Carnivora, Family Felidae (such as ocelots, margays, tigers, jaguars, leopards, and cougars), except commonly accepted domesticated cats; Family Canidae (such as wolves, wolf-dog hybrids, dingos, coyotes, and jackals), except domesticated dogs; Family Mustelidae (such as weasels, skunks, martens, ferrets, mink, and badgers); Family Procyonldae (raccoon); Family Ursidae (such as bears); Order Marsupialia (such as kangaroos and common opossums); Order Edentata (such as sloths, anteaters, and armadillos); Order Proboscidea (elephants); Order Primata (such as monkeys, chimpanzees, and gorillas); Order Rodentia (such as porcupines); and Order Ungulata (such as antelope, deer, bison, and camels); D. Animals not listed: The Animal Services Officer may declare any species of animal not listed in this subsection as "prohibited" if the confinement of the animal within the City can be shown to constitute a threat to public health and safety; and 2. does not mean: A. a bird kept in a cage or aviary that is not regulated by international, federal, or state law; or B. a ged0il, hamster, guinea pig, or laboratory mouse or rat. Running at large shall mean not completely confined by a building, wall or fence of suffident strength or construction to restrain the animal, except when such animal is either on a leash, or held in the hands of the owner or keeper, or under direct supervision of the owner within the limits of the owner's private property. Any animal confined within an automobile or other vehicle shall not be deemed running at large. Secure enclosure means a fenced area or structure that is: 4 8S4630 1. locked; 2. capable of preventing the entry of the general public, including children; 3. capable of preventing the escape or release of a dog; 4. clearly marked as containing a dangerous dog; and 5. in conformance with the requirements for enclosures established by the animal services officer. Serious bodily injury means any physical injtay that involves a substantial risk of death, disfigurement, or impairment of any part of the body, including but not limited to a broken bone or a laceration requiring either multiple stitches or cosmetic surgery. Unprovoked means action by an animal that is not: 1. in response to being tormented, abused, or assaulted by any person; 2. in response to pain or injury; or 3. in protection of itself or its food, kennel, immediate territory, or nursing offspring. Wild animal shall mean any animal except the common domestic species (dogs, cats, horses, livestock and other common farm animals) regardless of the state or duration of captivity. Sec. 9-1-2 Enforcement. A. City Manager shall designate an employee as the Animal Services Officer who shall be assigned to the Environmental Health Division. B. Enforcement of this Article and any state laws regulating animal services shall be the responsibility of the Animal Services Officer. C. The Animal Services Officer is authorized to: (1) impound any animal in violation of this Article; (2) issue citations for any violation of this Article or applicable state law. 5 SS4630 D. No person shall interfere with any Animal Services Officer or any authorized representative in the performance of their duties. E. The City Counc'd shall establish the fees required by this Article by resolution from time to lane. See. 9-1-3 Running at Large. It shall be unlawful for an owner of an animal without regard to mental state, to fail to keep the animal from running at large as defined in this Article. Sec. 9-1-4 Vaccination. A. The owner of a dog or cat shall have the animal vacc'mated against rabies by a licensed veterinarian when the animal is three (3) months of age and within each subsequent twelve month interval. Alter immunization the veterinarian shall issue to the owner of the animal a certificate ofvacc'mation which contains the following information: 1. name and address of owner; 2. animal idenfification including species, sex, age, size, predominant breed and colors; 3. type ofvacc'mation; and 4. rabies tag number. Concurrent with the issuance of the certificate of vaccination the veterinarian shall provide to the owner of the dog or cat a metal rabies tag serially numbered showing the date of vacc'mation, the name, address and phone number of the veterinarian which shall be securely attached to the collar or harness of the vacc'mated animal and worn at all times. C. Except as provided in Subsection B above, a person commits offense without regard to mental state, if the person owns, keeps, or harbors a dog or cat over three (3) months of age without having such dog or cat currently licensed by the City. Sec. 9-1-5. Registration; license. A. The owner of a dog or cat three (3) months of age or older shall annually register the animal with the City. Written application to register the animal for a license and payment of the applicable license fee shall be made to the City or to a designated veterinarian. The 6 ss4630 application shall include the name and address of the applicant, a description of the animal, and proof of a current rabies vaccination. Upon acceptance of the application, a City license tag shall be issued, which shall bear an identifying number for the animal and the year of issuance. The license tag shall be securely attached to the collar or harness of the animal and worn at all times. No license fee shall be charged for dogs trained to assist audio- or visually-impaired persons, and police dogs. B. Animals fostered within the City shall wear the fostering tag for the appropriate organization until such time as the animal is adopted. C. Except as provided in Subsection B above, a person commits an offense without regard to mental state, if the person owns, keeps, or harbors a dog or cat over three (3) months of age without having such dog or cat currently licensed by the City. D. A person commits an offense without regard to mental state, if the person owns, keeps, or harbors a dog or cat required to be licensed by this section and falls to display on the animal at all times a valid City license tag. E. A person commits an offense without regard to mental state if the person owns, keeps, or harbors a dog or cat and displays on the animal a City license tag issued to another animal. F. A person commits an offense without regard to mental state if the person owns, keeps, or harbors more than four (4) animals (dogs, cats, or both) over six (6) months of age. See. 9-1-6. License Tag by Designated Veterinarian. A. A licensed veterinarian located within or outside the City and who treats dogs and cats which are maintained within the City may apply annually to the Animal Services Officer to become a designated veterinarian. Application shall be on a form prescribed by the Animal Services Officer and shall be signed by the veterinarian applying for designation and shall have the force and effect of a contract. The City Manager or his designee is hereby authorized to approve such application on behaif ofthe City. Agreement shall be valid only for the calendar year and shall expire on December 3 1st. B. A designated veterinarian is authorized to issue a license tag to the owner of a dog or cat upon proof of a current rabies vaccination 7 884630 certificate for the animal to be licensed and payment of the applicable license fee. A designated veterinarian shall not register any dog or cat without proof that the animal is currently vaccinated against rabies. C. A designated veterinarian shall collect the City's current license fee for each animal he registers and may retain liom the fee an amount established by the C~ty Manager as payment for services and shall submit the balance to the City. A designated veterinarian assumes full responsibility for insuring that full payment is made to the City for each license tag. License fees collected by a veterinarian shall be paid to the City no later than the 5th day of the month following the month in which the fees were collected. A designated veterinarian shall be responsible for the proper handling of all City license tags issued to the veterinarian by the Animal Services Officer and shall be responsible for contacting Animal Services to receive additional tags prior to the supply running out. D. Any designated veterinarian who fails to comply with the procedures or requirements for the collection and payment of license fees shall immediately forfeit the designation. E. The Animal Services Officer shall provide the designated veterinarian with necessary monthly report forms and City license tags. The Animal Services Officer shall establish a collection procedure for the fees, a format for the tags and shall record the number of dogs and cats registered, name of owner, and other appropriate information. The Animal Services Officer may at reasonable times inspect the license records at a designated veterinarian's office. Sec. 9-1-7. Revocation and Denial of Registration. A. The Animal Services Officer may deny or revoke registration for an animal owned by a persen who: (1) has been convicted of Texas Penal Code, Article 42.11, as amended, or four or more separate violations of this Article or of an animal services ordinance of another jurisdiction within any twelve (12) month period; (2) has had the same animal impounded four or more times within any twelve (12) month period; or (3) has abandoned an animal. B. If the Animal Services Officer revokes or denies registration of a dog or eat, a written notice of the action and of the right to an appeal shall be given to the owner. The owner may appeal the decision of the Animal Services Officer to the Animal Services Appeals Board. The filing of a request for an appeal heating stays an action of the Animal 8 SS4630 Services Officer in revoking or denying the registration until the Appeal Board makes a final decision. C. Within fiRecn (15) calendar days aPter receipt of a notice of revocation or denial of registration, or after a final decision of the Appeals Board if an appeal is filM, a dog or cat owner shall remove the affected animal from the City limits. The Animal Services Officer or the Appeals Board may extend the fifteen (15) day removal period for an additional fifteen (15) calendar days. The owner shall provide the Animal Services Officer with a sworn statement confirming the removal of the animal. D. A person commits an offense without regard to mental state, if the person owns, keeps, or harbors a dog or cat within the City during a period when registration for the animal has been revoked or denied, or fails to remove a dog or cat when required by this section. See. %1-8. Animal Services Appeals Board. A. There is hereby created the Animal Services Appeals Board comprised of the City Health Officer, a veterinarian to be appointed by the City Counc'd and one resident of the City who shall not be an employee. The denial or revocation of registration may be appealed by filing with the Animal Services Officer a written request for hearing within ten (10) days after notification of the denial or revocation. The filing of a request for an appeal stays the action until the Appeals Board makes a final decision, although it does not preclude the necessity for the animal to be removed from the City unt'~ all appeals are final. If written request for an appeal is not timely made, the denial or revocation is B. The Appeals Board may consider evidence offered by any interested person. The formal rules of evidence do not apply. The Appeals Board shall make its decision on the basis of a preponderance of the evidence presented at the hearing. The Appeals Board should conduct a hearing and render a decision within fifl~ecn (15) days after the request for an appeal is filed or as soon thereafter as practicable. The Appeals Board may aftarm or reverse the denial or revocation. The decision of the Appeals Board shall be sent to the owner of the affected animal. The decision of the Appeals Board is final. 9 SS4630 Sec. 9-1-9. Guard Dogs. All guard dogs shall be registered annually with the Animal Services Officer prior to use as guard dogs. The City license tag for a guard dog shall be securely attached to the collar or harness on the animal and wom at all times. Guard dogs shall be restrained by a chain or leash not exceeding six (6) feet in length and humanely m, ,771ed when off the premises where used. Sec. 9-1-10. hnpoundment. A. The following animals may be impounded: 1. Cats and dogs or miniature swine not exhibiting evidence of vaccination or registration. 2. Any animal kept under conditions which can endanger the public or animal health. 3. Any animal that has rabies or symptoms thereof or that a person could reasonably suspect of having rabies or that bites, scratches or otherwise creates a condition which may have exposed or transmitted the rabies virus to any htanan being or animal, or that requires observation for rabies as determined by the Animal Services Officer. 4. Any animal running at large. 5. Any animal treated in a manner determined to be in violation of Texas Penal Code, Article 42.11, as amended. 6. Any animal in violation of any provision of this article. 7. Any animal reasonably suspected of having inflicted bodily harm on any human being or animal that poses a threat to public safety or constitutes a public nuisance. 8. Any prohibited animal. B. If any animal is found on the premises of any person, that person may confine such animal in a humane manner umll the Animal Services Officer impounds such animal. When so notified, it shall be the duty of the Animal Services Officer to have such animal impounded. 10 ss4~3o C. The City Manager shall select and establish facilities in the City for the impoundment, quarantine, maintenance, and destruction of animals. D. Reasonable effort shall be made by the Animal Services Officer to contact the owner of any animal impounded which is wearing a current registration tag. However, the final responsibility for an impounded animal is that of the owner. Sec. 9-1-11. Redemption of Animal. A. The owner may redeem an impounded animal upon payment of all applicable impoundment fees, handling fees, and any veterinarian bills or other cost incurred by the City for the impoundment, care and welfare of the animal and upon proof of compliance with the vaccination/registration requirements of this article. Any animal being held under quarantine or observation for rabies shall not be redeemed until released ~'om quarantine. B. Impounded animals shall be held for five days alter the date of impoundment except any animal wearing a current registration and/or vaccination tag shall be impounded for seven days. Bethe owner of an impounded animal does not redeem it within the period of impoundment, disposition will be in accordance with this article. Sec. 9-1 - 12. Disposition of Animals. A. Except as provided herein, any animal not redeemed within the above- stated time periods after impoundment, or release fi'om quarantine, shall become the property of the City and shall at the direction of the Animal Services Officer be placed for adoption, transferred to a bona fide humane society or humanely destroyed. B. Disposition of animals impounded on the grounds of creel or inhumane treatment shall be determined by a court of competent jurisdiction. C. Any nursing baby animal impounded without the mother or where the mother cannot or refuses to provide care for the baby may be immediately destroyed to prevent further suffering. Any impounded animal that appears to be suffering from extreme injury or illness may be immediately destroyed to prevent further suffering. D. Any owner who no longer wishes responsibility for an animal or believes the animal to be ill or injured may sign a written waiver supplied by the Animal Services Officer allowing the animal to be 11 ss4630 immediately destroyed by the C~ty. The owner of such animal shall be charged a fee for this service. Sec. 9-1-13. Adoption of Dogs and CaB. A. A person may adopt a dog and/or cat from the City impoundment facility that has been spayed or neutered and classified as adoptable. If the animal is under six (6) months of age, the adopting owner must sign an agreement to have the animal spayed or neutered when the animal reaches the age of six (6) months. B. The Animal Services Officer may refuse to allow a person to adopt an animal to whom he has reason to believe: 1. Would not have proper facilities to contain or care for the 2. Wants the dog or cat for the purpose of resale or for purposes other than pet ownership. 3. There are reasonable grounds to believe the animal would be subjected to abandonment or cruelty. C. The person adopting the dog and/or cat shall pay all applicable costs of adoption, including vaccination, registration and veterinarian fees. Sec. 9-1-14. Animal Quarantine. A. Any animal that has rabies or symptoms which could reasonably indicate rabies or that bites, scratches or otherwise creates a condition which may expose or transit the rabies virus to a human being shall be impounded immediately. Upon notification, the owner shall surrender the animal to the Animal Services Officer for quaranfme at the City's designated animal shelter, or with approval from the Animal Services Officer deliver the animal to a state-approved veterinarian quarantine fac'~ity for quaranfme at the owner's expense. Quarantine shall be for a minimum of ten (10) days beginning on the date the incident occurred or longer as the Animal Services Officer may deem necessary. Animal quaranfme shall be in accordance with any applicable rules and regulations adopted by the Texas Department of Health. B. Quarantine shall be subject to the following conditions: 12 SS4630 1. The quarantine animal showing clinical signs of rabies shall be immediately destroyed and the head submitted to the nearest Texas Department of Health Laboratory for test'rag. 2. The animal placed in quaranfme shall not be released without prior notification to and written approval from the Animal Services Officer. 3. Home quarant'me at the residence of the owner, if approved by the Animal Services Officer, must safisfi/the following conditions. a. Secure facilities are available and approved by the Animal Services Officer. b. The animal is currently vaccinated against rabies. c. A licensed veterinarian must observe the animal on the first and last days of the quaranfme period. d. The owner of the animal shall notify the Animal Services Officer if the animal escapes, becomes or appears to become sick, or dies; and, in case of death of the animal while under quaranfme, shall immediately surrender the dead animal to the Animal Services Officer for diagnostic purposes. e. The animal was not running at large at the time of the incident. f. The animal is isolated fi-om all other animals, and human beings other than the individual(s) who own the C. A person who knows of an animal bite or scratch to an individual that the person could reasonably foresee as capable of transmitting rabies, or who knows of an animal that the person suspects is rabid shall report the incident or animal to the Animal Services Officer. The report shall include the name and address of the victim and owner of the animal, and any other information relafmg to the incident or animal. D. The owner shall submit for quarantine an animal that: 1. is reported rabid or to have exposed an individual to rabies; or 13 ss4630 2. the owner knows or suspects is rabid or has exposed an individual to rabies; or 3. has bitten, scratched or othen~ise created a condition which may have exposed or transmitted the rabies virus to any human being. E. When submitted for quarantine, the owner shall provide the name, address and any other relevant information about the animal. F. The owner of a quarantined animal shall pay all reasonable costs of the quarantine and disposition of the animal, including charges for shipment of animal tissues, if required, to the Texas Department of Health Laboratory for testing. G. An animal that has been quarantined may be released by the Animal Services Officer after a licensed veterinarian determines that the quarantined animal does not show clinical signs of rabies and under the following conditions: 1. At the end of the observation period upon proof of vaccination prior to release from quarantine. 2. When all applicable fees have been paid. 3. If the animal is not being held for legal proceedings. 4. If appropriate City license registration has been obtained. H. It shall be unlawful for any person to interrupt the observation period or otherwise interfere with quarantine. I. It shall be unlawful for any person to destroy or remove fTom the City any animal that has bitten a person or other animal or that has been placed under quarantine, except when necessary to protect the life of any person or other animal or otherwise approved by the Animal Services Officer. J. The carcass of a dead animal exposed to rabies or suspected of having been rabid, shall, upon demand, be surrendered to the Animal Services Officer.. 14 8s4630 K. W~d animals shall not be placed in quarantine. W'~d animals shall be humanely destroyed in such a manner the brain is not mut'~ated. The brain will then be submitted to a Texas Department of Health laboratory for testing. L. No persun shall fail or refuse to surrender an animal for quarantine or for destruction when ordered by the Animal Services Offricer. Sec. 9-1-15. AnimaiNuisances. The following shall be considered a public nuisance and shall be unlawful: A. The keeping of an animal in such a manner as to endanger the public health, by the accumulation of animal waste which causes foul and offensive odors considered to be a haT~rd to other animals or human beings. B. To permit or allow an animal to defecate upon private or public property other than the property of the owner of said animal; and to fail to remove and dispose of in a sanitary manner any feces left by such C. Property not kept flee from carrion or other putrescible material. D. The keeping of bees in such a manner as to deny the lawful use of adjacent property or endanger the health and safety of others. E. The keeping of any animal which causes loud and unusual barking, howling or other noise that dismths the peace and quiet of any person of ordinary sensibilities. Sec. 9-1-16. Animals Prohibited as Novelties. A. It shall be unlawful for any person to sell, offer for sale, rent, barter or give away as toys, premiums or novelties, baby chickens, ducklings or other fowl under three weeks old, rabbits under two months old, unless the manner or method is first approved by the Animal Services Officer. B. It shall be unlawful to color, dye, stain or otherwise change the natural color of any chickens, ducklings, or other fowl or rabbits or to possess for the purpose of sale or to be given away, any of the above mentioned animals which have been so colored. 15 SS4630 Sec. 9-1-17 Wild; Wild-Hybrid; Prohibited Animals. A. It shall be unlawful to own, possess, keep or harbor any wild, wild- hybrid, or prohibited animal within the City. B. It is a defense to prosecution under this subsection that the owner or possessor: (1) holds a valid prohibited animal permit issued under this section; or (2) is a govemmental entity. C. A permit for possession of a prohibited animal may be issued to: (1) public zoo; (2) public or private primary or secondary school; or (3) an animal exhibition, rodeo, or circus of which the animal is an integral part, if the animal is restrained from inflicting injury upon persons, property, or other animals. Sec. 9-1-18 Dangerous Dogs. A. Nuisance Declared It is hereby declared to be a public nuisance that an owner harbors, keeps or maintains a dangerous dog in the City unless the owner complies with the requirements of this section, and State statutes regulating dangerous dogs. B. Requirements for Owner of Dangerous Dog 1. Not later than the 30th day after a person learns that the persen is the owner of a dangerous dog, the person shall: a. register the dangerous dog with the Animal Services Officer; b. restrain the dangerous dog at all times on a leash in the immediate control of a person or in a secure enclosure; 16 ss4630 c. obtain liability insurance coverage or show financial responsibility in an amount of at least $100,000 to cover damages resulting ~'om an attack by the dangerous dog causing bodily injury to a person. 2. For purposes of this section, a person learns that the person is the owner of a dangerous dog when: a. the owner knows of an attack described in the definition of "Dangerous Dog"; or b. the owner is informed by the Animal Services Officer that the dog is a dangerous dog. 3. If a person reports an incident described in the definition of "Dangerous Dog", the Animal Services Officer may investigate the incident. After receiving sworn statements of any witnesses, the Animal Services Officer determines whether the dog is a dangerous dog, it shall notify the owner of that determination. 4. The owner, not later than the 30th day after the date the owner is notified that a dog owned by the owner is a dangerous dog, may appeal the determination of the Animal Services Officer to the Municipal Court. The owner shall confine the dog during the pendency of an appeal in a manner satisfactory to the Animal Services Officer. An owner may appeal a decision of the Municipal Court in the same manner as appeal for other civil cases. The determination of the Animal Services Officer is final if the owner does not timely appeal. 5. The Animal Services Officer shall provide notice of the date, time and location of the hearing to the owner of the dangerous dog and to any complainant, either in person or by certified mail, return receipt requested. At the hearing, all interested persons shall be given the opportunity to be heard. C. Registration. 1. The Animal Services Officer shall annually register a dangerous dog if the owner: a. presents: ] 7 ss4630 (1) proof of liability insurance or financial responsibility in an amount of at least $100,000.00 to cover damages resulting from an attack by the dangerous dog causing bodily injury to a person; (2) proof of current rabies vaccination of the dangerous dog. (3) proof of a secure enclosure in which the dangerous dog will be kept. b. pays an annual registration fee established by resolution of the City Council from time to time. c. provides two color identification photographs of at least three inches by three inches of each dangerous dog with one photograph showing the frontal view and the other photograph showing the side view of each dog. d. provides the name, general description, including sex, weight, color, predominate breed, height and length and any other discemible features of the dangerous dog. 2. The Animal Services Officer shall provide to the owner registering a dangerous dog, a registration tag which shall be placed and maintained on the dog's collar at all times. 3. If the owner of a dangerous dog sells or moves the dog to a new address, the owner, not later than the 14th day after the date of sale or move, shall notify the Animal Services Authority for the area in which the new address is located. If the dangerous dog has been sold or given away, the former owner shall provide the Animal Services Officer with the name, address and telephone number of the new owner. If the new owner resides in the City or if the animal is kept in the City, the Animal Services Officer shall notify the new owner in person or by certified mail, return receipt requested, that a determination has been made that the dog is dangerous and provide the new owner with a copy of the requirements for the owner of a dangerous dog. It shall be unlawful for the new owner to fall to comply with such requirements. 18 ss4~3o 4. The owner of a registered dangerous dog shall immediately notify the Animal Services Officer if the dangerous dog is running at large, has bitten or attacked a human being or another animal, has died, or has been sold or given away. D. Attack by dangerous dog 1. A person commits an offense if the person is the owner of a dangerous dog and the dog makes an unprovoked attack on a person or another animal outside the dog's enclosure and causes bodily injury to a person or another animal. 2. An offense under this subsection is a Class C Misdemeanor, unless the attack causes serious bodily injury or death to a person in which event the offense is a Class A Misdemeanor. 3. If a person is found guilty of an offense under this section, the Court which hears the case may order the dangerous animal destroyed by a licensed veterinarian or a person authorized by State law. 4. In addition to criminal prosecution, a person who commits an offense under this subsection is liable for a civil penalty not to exceed $10,000. The City Attorney may file suit in a court of competent jurisdiction to collect the penalty, which shall be retained by the City. E. Violations A person who owns or keeps custody or control of a dangerous dog commits an offense if the person fails to comply with any requirements for ownership of a dangerous dog. If the owner of any dog determined to be dangerous under this section fails or refuses to comply with requirements of this section, the dog shall be seized by the Animal Services Officer and humanely destroyed. F. Defense 1. It is a defense to prosecution under Section 9-1-18(D) or Section 9-1-18(E) that the person is a veterinarian, a peace officer, a person employed by a recognized animal shelter or a person employed by the State or political subdivision of the State to deal with stray animals, and has temporary ownership, 19 ss4630 custody and control of the dangerous dog in connection with that position. 2. It is a defense to prosecution under Section 9-1-18(D) or Section 9-1-18(E) that the person is an employee of the institutional division of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice or a law enforcement agency and trains or uses dogs for law enforcement or correction purposes. 3. It is a defense to prosecution under Section 9-1-18(D) or Section 9-1-18(E) that the person is a dog trainer or an employee of a guard dog company under the Private Investigators and Private Security Agencies Act, Article 4413(29bb), Vemoffs Texas Civil Statutes, as amended. Sec. 9-1-19. Miniature Swine. A. The owner of miniature swine shall annually register the animal with the City. Written application for registration and payment of applicable registration fees shall be made to the Animal Services Officer or designated veterinarian. The application shall include the name and address of the owner, a description of the animal and the current rabies vaccination certificate. Upon acceptance of the application, a City license tag shall be issued, which shall bear an identifying number for the animal and the year of issuance. B. Miniature swine may be kept as pets in the City subject to the following requirements: 1. It shall be unlawful to keep, harbor or possess more than two (2) swine per household or business. 2. No person may engage in the propagation or breeding of miniature swine within the City. 3. It shall be unlawful for any person to keep or maintain miniature swine outdoors. A person may permit miniature swine outdoors for brief periods not to exceed one hour per occurrence as necessary for exercise or for the elimination of waste. The outdoor area used for exercise and waste elimination must be a secure area liom which the swine may not escape. Miniature swine are subject to all the other sections of this article including the prohibition of running at large. 20 884630 4. It shall be unlawful for any person to keep or maintain miniature swine within the City unless the swine have received annual vaccinations against erysipelas, parco virus, and leptospirosis. The first inoculations for such diseases must be received before the animal is four months of age. The owner of miniature swine must provide the Animal Services Offricer a health certificate from a licensed veterinarian within 14 days of vaccination which shall contain the following information: a. Name, address, driver's license, and telephone number of the owner. b. Name, address, and telephone number of the licensed veterinarian providing the vaccinations and certificate. c. Name, recent photograph and description of the animal, giving the age, weight and height. d. The types and dates of vaccinations. e. A statement of the general health of the animal. f. Certification that the animal has been either spayed or neutered. 5. It shall be unlawful for any persen who owns, keeps, had>ors, or has custody of any miniature swine to fail to display on such miniature swine at all times a valid City registration and vaccination tag. 6. It shall be unlawful for any person who owns, keeps, harbors, or has custody of any miniature swine to display on such miniature swine a registration or rabies vaccination tag issued to another animal. 7. All locations where miniature swine are kept shall be kept in a clean and sanitary condition. Exercise areas shall be cleaned of swine excrement twice each week. 8. The owner of any miniature swine shall notify the Animal Services Officer within 14 days if the miniature swine dies or has been sold or given away. 2 1 SS4630 C. Efthe owner of a miniature swine fails or refuses to comply with any of the requirements of this Section, the Animal Services Officer may deny or revoke the animal's registration and order the miniature swine removed from the City. The determination of the Animal Services Officer may be appealed to the Animal Services Appeals Board in the same manner as an appeal f~om the denial or revocation of a cat or dog registration. Sec. 9-1-20. Commercial Businesses. A. No person shall engage in the business of selling, grooming breeding, showing, exhibiting or boarding of animals without first having obtained a permit from the City. Written application for a permit and payment of the applicable permit fees shall be made to the Animal Services Officer. The permit issued under this section shall be valid for one year from the date of issuance and shall be renewed annually thereafter. Provided however, permits to show or exhibit animals, including but not limited to rodeos, circuses, and shows, shall be valid for thirty (30) days immediately following issuance. All permits shall be conspicuously displayed in pubfie view at the business at all times and shall be nontransferable. B. Permit shall not be required for licensed veterinarians, veterinarian clinics, or any person raising fivestock in an area properly zoned for such use. C. The Animal Services Officer is authorized to inspect any such business, the animals, and the premises where such animals are kept at reasonable times during normal business hours to insure compliance with all provisions of this Article. D. In addition to the other requirements of this Article, such businesses shall keep all locations where animals are kept in a clean and sanitary condition. Exercise areas shall be cleaned of excrement twice each week. Sec. 9-1-21. Livestock. A. It shall be unlawful for any person to keep any swine within the City except miniature swine as defined here'm. B. It shall be unlawful for any person to keep a cow or horse on any premises, the overall area of which is less than one-third of an acre for each cow or horse kept, or keep more of said animals than can be cared 22 8s4630 for under sanitary conditions. The total number of cows or horses permitted shall not exceed one adult per one-third acre for the first acre, and two adults per acre for each additional acre over two acres of a single tract offand. C. Livestock pens, stables, corrals, or enclosures shall be capable of preventing the entry of the general public and capable of preventing the escape of the livestock. D. Confinement Restrictions. 1. It shall be unlawful for any person to keep any horse, cow, cattle, sheep or goat or any other livestock within one hundred (100) feet of any residence or occupied building. 2. Any enclosure, pen, corral, or other restrictive area for livestock may not be located within ten (10) feet of any residentially zoned property or any property used for residential purposes. See. 9-1-22. Sanitary Requirements. A. The owner or person who has custody or control of any animal shall comply with the following standards: 1. All manure and other animal waste shall be removed ~om pens, corrals, cages, yards, or other enclosures twice a week to an approved disposal site; 2. Food shall be placed in impervious containers on impervious surfaces; 3. Refuse on the premises shall be removed and disposed of by means approved by the Animal Services Officer; 4. Watering troughs or tanks shall be equipped with adequate facility for draining the overflow so as to prevent breeding of flies, mosquitoes or other insects; 5. No putrescible material shall be allowed to accumulate on the premises, and all such materials used to feed which is unconsumed shall be removed and disposed of by sanitary means. 23 854630 Sec. 9-1-23. Animal Care. A. The owner or person who has custody or control of any animal shall provide: 1. Sufficient nutritious and wholesome food, served to the animal in clean containers, to maintain the animal in good health; 2. Clean and wholesome water, served to the animal in a dean container, such water to be available to the animal at all times; 3. Adequate shelter and protection ~om the weather at all times; and 4. Veterinarian care as needed to prevent suffering. B. It shall be unlawful for an owner or other person having custody or control of any animal to abandon such animal. C. No person other than a ficensed veterinarian shall crop a dog's ears. D. The operator of any motor vehicle which strikes or injures a domesticated animal shall stop and immediately render aid and report such inddent to the Animal Services Officer and the Police. E. It shall be unlawful for any person to beat, starve or overwork, or to otherwise abuse any animal. Sec. 9-1-24. Penalty A. A person who violates any provision of this Article, or who fails to perform an act required by this Article, commits an offense. A person commits a separate offense each day or portion of a day during which a violation is committed, permitted, or continued. B. An offense under this Article is punishable by a fine not to exceed: 1. $500; 2. $2,000 if the provision violated governs public health or sanitation; or 3. the amount fixed by state law if the violation is one for which the state has fixed a fine." 24 ss4630 SECTION 2. That all provisions of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Coppell, Texas, in conflict with the provisions of this ordinance be, and the same are hereby, repealed, and all other provisions not in conflict with the provisions of this ordinance shall remain in full force and effect. SECTION 3. That should any word, phrase, paragraph, section or portion of this ordinance or of the Code of Ordinances, as amended hereby, be held to be void or unconstitutional, the same shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions of said ordinance or of the Code of Ordinances, as amended hereby, which shall remain in full force and effect. SECTION 4. An offense committed before the effective date of this ordinance is governed by the prior law and the provisions of the Code of Ordinances, as amended, in effect when the offense was committed and the former law is cominued in effect for this purpose. SECTION 5. That any person, firm or corporation violating any of the provisions or terms of this ordinance or of the Code of Ordinances, as amended hereby, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction in the Municipal Court of the City of Coppell, Texas, shall be subject to a fine not to exceed the sum of Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) Dollars for each offense, except where a different penalty has been established by State law for such offense, and for any violation of any provision which governs public health or sanitation, which shall be punished by a penalty of fine not to exceed the sum of Two Thousand Dollars ($2,000.00) for each offense; and each and every day such offense is continued shall constitute a new and separate offense. SECTION 6. That this ordinance shall become effective liom and alter its passage and the publication of the caption, as the law and charter in such cases provide. 25 SS4630 DULY PASSED by the City Council of the City of Coppell, Texas, this the/"'//i day of ,,; ~ ,,, t Y.~C ,', 1996. APPROVED: TOM MORTON, MAYOR ATTEST: KATHLEEN ROACH, CITY SECRETLY APPROVED AS TO FORM: PETER G. SMI~TTORNEY (PGS/ttl 10/26/96) 26 SS4630