§ 6.01.010. Definitions.
The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this chapter, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:
"ACO" means the animal control officer employed by the city being primarily responsible for the enforcement of regulations regarding animals.
"Animal" means any vertebrate creature, domestic or wild, excluding human beings.
"Animal shelter" means a facility that keeps or legally impounds stray, homeless, abandoned, or unwanted animals.
"At large."
1.
The term "at large" means an animal not confined on the premises of its owner or harbored within a building, wall, fence or electronic fence of sufficient strength and construction to restrain the animal.
2.
An animal shall not be deemed at large that is:
a.
On a leash, cord, rope, chain or similar device of sufficient length and strength to control the actions of the animal;
b.
Within the cabin of a vehicle of its owner; or
c.
Restrained on or within the bed of a truck of its owner.
"Authorized restraint" used with respect to a dog, means kept under the direct physical control of the person who owns the dog or otherwise has control over the dog by a leash, cord, or pet tie-out cable.
"Cat" means any domestic feline.
"City enforcement agent" means the ACO, police officers and such other persons as are designated by the city.
"Dangerous dog."
1.
A dog that is at large and commits an unprovoked attack on a person that causes bodily injury, or death; or
2.
A dog that is at large and makes an unprovoked attack on a domestic animal in a place other than an enclosure in which the dog was being kept and that causes the death of the attacked animal; or
3.
A dog that makes an unprovoked attack on a domestic animal in a place other than an enclosure in which the dog was being kept and that causes serious bodily injury and the attacking animal has already made at least one unprovoked attack on a previous occasion.
"Direct physical control" means outside with the dog and near enough to the dog to exercise physical control over the dog in the event it should become necessary to do so to protect the dog, a human or another animal from harm.
"Dog" means a male or female of any domestic canine species.
"Fowl" means any heavy-bodied, terrestrial bird of the order galliformes, including, but not limited to, chickens, ducks, geese, pheasants, turkeys, grouse, guineas, or other common domestic fowl, but not including caged pet birds kept inside a building.
"Game animal or bird" means any animal or bird that is regulated by the state and/or requires a hunting license or permit from the state.
"Harbor" means to feed, provide shelter or otherwise maintain an animal for three or more days.
"Livestock" means and includes, regardless of age, sex or breed, horses and all equine species, including mules, donkeys and jackasses; cows and all bovine species; sheep; llamas; goats and all caprine species; and pigs and all swine species.
"Local rabies control authority (LRCA)" means the person designated by the governing body of a municipality to enforce the Texas Health and Safety Code, as amended. The supervising animal control officer shall serve as the LRCA unless otherwise designated.
"Local rabies control incident (LRCI)" means any bite, scratch, or other injury to a person caused by a warm-blooded animal that breaks the victim's skin and/or causes them to bleed and could therefore allow the rabies virus to be transmitted from the animal to the person.
"Neutered" means any animal, male or female, rendered incapable of breeding or being bred, i.e., castration in the male and spaying or ovariectomy in the female.
"Owner" means any person, corporation, partnership, trust, or association or other entity owning, keeping, or harboring an animal or who has possession or control or has the responsibility to control an animal.
"Poison" means a substance having an inherent harmful property which renders it, when taken into the system, capable of destroying or injuring animal life.
"Premises" means a definite portion of real estate or land, together with any appurtenances or buildings.
"Residence" means any place of human habitation at any time, including, but not limited to, any single or multifamily dwelling, church, school, convalescent center or nursing home.
"Restraint" used with respect to a dog, means kept under the direct physical control of the person who owns the dog or otherwise has control over the dog by a leash, cord, chain or similar physical attachment.
"Shelter" means a structure, or combination of structures, that reasonably provides air circulation and protection from the elements including sunlight, moisture, and extreme temperatures.
"Tether" means tying out or fastening a dog outdoors on an authorized restraint. The term does not mean the restraint of a dog on an attended leash.
"Vaccination" refers to an injection of a rabies vaccine, which is approved by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Veterinary Biologics Division, and the state veterinarian and administered by a licensed veterinarian or at an approved anti-rabies clinic.
"Vaccination certificate" refers to a certificate signed by a veterinarian licensed to practice in the state, declaring that an animal has been vaccinated against the rabies virus.
"Veterinarian" means any person duly licensed to practice veterinary medicine by the state board of veterinary examiners, or who is exempt from such licensing.
"Wildlife" or "wild animals" means any animal which occurs naturally in a wild state. This includes any animal which is a wildlife hybrid.
(Ord. No. 2017-21 , § 2, 12-12-2017; Ord. No. 2017-09 , § 2, 9-12-2017; Ord. No. 2017-06 , § 2, 7-11-2017)