HomeMy WebLinkAboutORD 2023-010ORDINANCE NO. 2023-010
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
GRAPEVINE, TEXAS AMENDING THE GRAPEVINE CODE
OF ORDINANCES SECTION 6-6, IMPOUNDING OF CATS,
DOGS; PROVIDING A PENALTY, NOT TO EXCEED FIVE
HUNDRED DOLLARS ($500.00); REPEALING
CONFLICTING ORDINANCES; PROVIDING A
SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; DECLARING AN EMERGENCY
AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE
WHEREAS, the City Council wishes to amend and update the Grapevine Code of
Ordinances, Chapter 6, Animals and Fowls; and
WHEREAS, all constitutional and statutory prerequisites for the approval of this
Ordinance have been met, including but not limited to the Open Meetings Act; and
WHEREAS, the City Council deems the adoption of this ordinance to be in the best
interests of the health, safety, and welfare of the public.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
GRAPEVINE, TEXAS:
Section 1. That all matters stated hereinabove are found to be true and correct and
are incorporated herein by reference as if copied in their entirety.
Section 2. That Chapter 6, Animals and Fowl is hereby amended by amending
Sec. 6-6, which a shall be replaced to read as follows:
Sec. 6-6. - Impounding of Cats, Dogs.
(a) The Animal Services Officer or any police officer may cause to be captured and
impounded any animal, excluding livestock, at large and in violation of this chapter.
This section shall be enforced relative to cats, only upon receipt of a complaint.
(b) The owner of any animal impounded under the terms of this chapter shall have
the right to redeem same, unless otherwise provided, upon payment to the City for
each dog or cat. The owner shall pay fees associated with redemption of said animal
as set forth in the Animal Services Fee Schedule, including, but not limited to,
impound fees, boarding fees, and veterinary or drug fees incurred during
impoundment.
(c) All dogs and cats redeemed from the City, which are not already microchipped,
may be microchipped at the expense of the owner prior to being released from
impoundment. All dogs and cats redeemed from the City, which are not already
currently vaccinated for rabies, will be vaccinated for rabies at the expense of the
owner prior to being released from impoundment.
(d) The City is authorized to be the designated caretaker of any animal impounded
or surrendered. The City's authority to act as caretaker includes, but is not limited to,
administering vaccinations and parasite control to protect animal health as well as
managing any other necessary treatment a veterinarian determines is appropriate for
the animal. The owner shall be responsible for all cost to care for an animal.
(e) All impounded animals shall be redeemed within 72 hours after their
impoundment. All animals impounded for more than 72 hours will become property
of the City and any prior ownership will be completely divested. Once the impounded
animal becomes property of the City, such animal may be made eligible for adoption
through Animal Services or other third -party rescue organization or be humanely
destroyed at the sole discretion of Animal Services.
(f) Notwithstanding the above provisions, the disposition of an animal impounded
under Texas Health and Safety Code § 821.022 (Seizure of Cruelly Treated Animals)
shall be governed by Health and Safety Code § 821.023 (Hearing; Order of
Disposition or Return of Animal).
Section 3. Any person violating any of the provisions of this ordinance shall be
deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction thereof shall be fined in a sum not
to exceed Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) for each offense and a separate offense shall
be deemed committed each day during or on which an offense occurs or continues.
Section 4. All ordinances or any parts thereof in conflict with the terms of this
ordinance shall be and hereby are deemed repealed and of no force or effect.
Section 5. If any section, subsection, sentence, clause or phrase of this
ordinance shall for any reason be held to be invalid, such decision shall not affect the
validity of the remaining portions of this ordinance.
Section 6. The fact that the present ordinances and regulations of the City of
Grapevine, Texas are inadequate to properly safeguard the health, safety, morals, peace
and general welfare of the inhabitants of the City of Grapevine, Texas, creates
undesirable conditions for the preservation of the public business, property, health, safety
and general welfare of the public which requires that this ordinance shall become effective
from and after the date of its passage, and it is accordingly so ordained.
Ordinance No. 2023-010 2
PASSED AND APPROVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF GRAPEVINE,
TEXAS on this the 7th day of March, 2023.
William Tate
Mayor
ATTEST:
Tara Brooks
City Secretary
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
iA (.Y). a.,
Matthew b.6. Boyle
City Attorney
Ordinance No. 2023-010 3