§ 4-308. Cruel treatment.

(a)

A person commits an offense if he beats, clubs, mutilates, torments, physically abuses, mentally abuses, overloads, overworks or otherwise harms or abuses an animal.

(b)

A person commits an offense if he fails to provide for animals in his ownership or control at all times adequate food, potable water, appropriate shelter, protection from inclement weather conditions and veterinary care when required to prevent suffering.

(c)

A person commits an offense if he owns, keeps, shelters, or harbors any animal having a potentially life-threatening infestation of fleas, ticks or other parasites; any obvious life threatening illness; or a communicable illness transmissible to other animals or humans, and fails to seek and obtain treatment for the animal from a licensed veterinarian for such infestation or illness.

(d)

A person commits an offense if he kills a dog or cat for the skin or fur of the animal.

(e)

A person commits an offense if he attaches a collar or harness to an animal that is of inadequate size for the animal such that it restricts the animal's growth or causes damage to the animal's skin.

(f)

The animal control authority shall have authority, in accord with the provisions of V.T.C.A., Health and Safety Code ch. 821, to obtain a warrant for seizure and impoundment of any animal the subject of an investigation for cruel treatment as defined herein or as defined by V.T.C.A., Health and Safety Code ch. 821, pending a hearing and order by the judge of the municipal court or other court of competent jurisdiction regarding disposition of the animal. Procedures regarding the disposition of the animals shall be in accord with the provisions of article V of this chapter and V.T.C.A., Health and Safety Code ch. 821.

(Ord. No. 021209-01, § 3.108, 2-12-2009)

State law reference

Cruelty to animals, V.T.C.A., Penal Code § 42.09 et seq.