O-2010-3244 regulation of animals, providing for certain fees for spaying/neutering of dogs and cats

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ORDINANCE NO. AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 14 OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF LA PORTE, TEXAS, REGARDING REGULATION OF ANIMALS; PROVIDING FOR CERTAIN FEES FOR SPAYING AND NEUTERING OF DOGS AND CATS; PROVIDING A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; CONTAINING A REPEALING CLAUSE; PROVIDING THAT ANY PERSON VIOLATING THE TERMS OF THIS ORDINANCE SHALL BE DEEMED GUILTY OF A MISDEMEANOR AND UPON CONVICTION SHALL BE FINED IN A SUM NOT TO EXCEED FIVE HUNDRED DOLLARS; PROVIDING FOR THE PUBLICATION OF THE CAPTION HEREOF; FINDING COMPLIANCE WITH THE OPEN MEETINGS LAW; AND PROVIDING FOR THE EFFECTIVE DATE HEREOF. BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LA PORTE: Section 1. Chapter 14, "Animals," Article I "In General", Section 14-1 "Definitions" of the Code of Ordinances of the City of La Porte, Texas, is hereby amended to hereafter read as follows, to wit: "Sec. 14-1. 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: Animal control officer means any person designated by the chief of police to represent and act for the city in the impoundment of animals, controlling of animals running at large and as otherwise provided and required in this article. Excreta means waste material eliminated or separated off from an organism, including excretions or feces of an animal. Inhumane treatment means any treatment to any animal which deprives the animal of sustenance, including food, water or protection from weather; any treatment of any animal such as overloading, overworking, tormenting, beating, mutilating or teasing; or other abnormal treatment as may be determined by the director of public health, director of the animal control division, or a law enforcement officer. Kennel means any lot, enclosure, premises, structure or building where on thfee ^r more four or more dogs and/or cats over the age of four months are kept or maintained for any purpose whatever, except a veterinary hospital operated by a graduate veterinarian duly licenses by the state board of veterinary examiners, or the impound facility operated by the city. Owner means any person owning, possessing, harboring, keeping or sheltering any animal. Rabies control authority means the immediate supervisor of the animal control officers. Running at large off the premises means any dog which is not restrained by means of a leash or chain of sufficient strength and not more than six feet in length to control the actions of such animal while off the premises, or any cat which is off the owner's property.