Ord 2024-4017_Revising Keeping of Animals

Browse Search

Running at large off the premises means any animal 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. Running at large on the premises means any animal, with the exception of a cat, not confined by the premises of the owner by a substantial fence of sufficient strength and height to prevent the animal from escaping therefrom, or secured on the premises by a metal chain or leash sufficient in strength to prevent the animal from escaping from premises and so arranged that the animal will remain upon the premises when the leash is stretched to full length. An animal intruding upon the property of another person other than the owner shall be termed at large. Any animal within an automobile or other vehicle of its owner or owner's agent shall not be deemed at large. A female dog in heat that is not enclosed shall be considered at large, whether on or off the premises." Section 2. Chapter 14, "Animals," Article I "in General", of the Code of Ordinances of the City of La Porte, Texas, is hereby amended by amending Section 14-3 "Duties of owners and persons in control and protection of animals", which section shall hereafter read as follows, to wit: "Sec. 14-3. - Duties of owners and persons in control and protection of animals. It shall be unlawful for any owner or person to: (1) Fail to prevent any animal from running at large within the corporate limits of the city (2) Perform, do or carry out any inhumane treatment against any animal. (3) Interfere with or molest any dog used by the police department of the city in the performance of duty of such department. (4) Keep, possess, own, control, maintain, use or otherwise exercise dominion over any animal which by reason of noise, odor or sanitary conditions become offensive to a reasonable and prudent person of ordinary tastes and sensibilities, or which constitute or becomes a health hazard. (5) Keep or harbor any dangerous or vicious animal within the corporate limits of the city. (6) Keep, maintain, own or operate a dog kennel or cat kennel in any residential district within the corporate limits of the city, with the exception of lots in excess of 43,560 square feet, in accordance with Sections 22-176 and 106-743 of this Code." Section 3. Chapter 14, "Animals," Article III "Dogs and Cats", Division 1 "Generally", of the Code of Ordinances of the City of La Porte, Texas, is hereby amended by adding new Section 14- 86, which section shall hereafter read as follows, to wit: "Sec. 14-86. — Maximum number of dogs and cats. It shall be unlawful for any person to own, keep, possess or have control of five or more dogs over the age of four months, or five or more cats over the age of four months, or any combination of dogs or cats, exceeding four. It is an exception to this offense that the person 1) was operating a kennel licensed in accordance with Chapter 22 of this Code, or 2) was maintaining foster dogs and/or cats under Section 14-87 of this Chapter in addition to non -foster dogs and/or cats owned or kept by the person in compliance with this section."