From
Daniel Tate, Animal Services Manager
Title
Ordinance amending the Code of Ordinances, Chapter Five, "Animals Services" Section 5-13 covering animal impoundments
Presenter
Jim Cummings, Environmental Services Director
Recommended Action
Approve
Analysis
A recent Texas Supreme Court ruling from a case in Houston, has clarified that city animal services ordinances must specifically state that ownership of a stray or abandoned pet transfers to the city following the required holding period. The proposed ordinance modification will ensure that the mission of the Prairie Paws Adoption Center to find "forever" homes for stray or abandoned pets can continue unimpeded.
The ordinance modification was reviewed by the City Council's Public Safety, Health and Environment Committee on May 2, 2016.
Financial Consideration
None
Body
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF GRAND PRAIRIE, TEXAS, AMENDING CHAPTER FIVE "ANIMAL SERVICES," OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF GRAND PRAIRIE, TEXAS, BY AMENDING SECTION 5-13 BY SPECIFYING THAT AFTER THE REQUIRED HOLDING PERIOD, STRAY, ABANDONED, OR SURRENDERED ANIMALS BECOME THE PROPERTY OF THE CITY O GRAND PRAIRIE; AND TO BECOME EFFECTIVE UPON ITS PASSAGE AND APPROVAL
WHEREAS, the Code of Ordinances of the City provides for standards for the health, safety, and welfare of animals; and
WHEREAS, a recent Texas Supreme Court ruling has resulted in the need to clarify the city's animal impoundment ordinance section; and
WHEREAS, the ordinance modification is necessary to allow the shelter to continue its mission of finding "forever" homes for pets; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF GRAND PRAIRIE, TEXAS:
SECTION 1. That Section 5-13 is hereby amended to read as follows:
Sec. 5-13. - Impoundment.
Any dog or unvaccinated or unsterilized cat found to be running at large within the city, or any dog or cat found not wearing a collar or harness to which is attached a metal vaccination-r...
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