Watauga, TX - Official Website

2.1 Definitions

2.2 Dogs & Cats

2.3 Kennels

2.4 Estrays

2.5 In General

2.6 License Required

2.7 Vicious Animals

2.8 Guard Dogs

2.9 Tampering with Traps & Equipment

2.10 Animal Odors

2.11 Animal Care

2.12 Authority to Kill, Impound or Destroy

2.13 Domesticated Swine

2.14 Restrictions on Dangerous Dogs

2.1 Definitions

Article 2.100 Definitions
When used in this chapter, the following words and terms, unless the context indicates a different meaning, shall be interpreted as follows: (1977 Code of Ordinances, Chapter 3, Article 1, Section 1)

Chief of Police: The head of the police department for the city or anyone designated to serve in this capacity on an interim, acting or temporary basis. (Ordinance 1394, sec. 2.100, adopted November 17, 2008)
Domestic Animal: All species of animals commonly and universally accepted as being domesticated.
Estray: Any stray horse, stallion, mare, gelding, filly, colt, mule, jinny, jack, jennet, hog, sheep, goat, or any species of cattle.
Harboring: The act of keeping and caring for an animal or of providing a premises to which the animal returns for food, shelter, or care for a period of 10 days.
Miniature Pigs: Vietnamese (also called potbellied), Juliani (also called painted miniature), African Pygmy (also called Guinea hog), and Ossbaw Island pigs not exceeding 50 pounds in weight or 18 inches in height.
Owner: Any person who has right or property in an animal or allows an animal to remain about his premises for a period of 10 days.
Pet Animals: Includes dogs, cats, miniature pigs, rabbits, rodents, birds, reptiles and any other species of animal which are sold or retained as household pets but shall not include skunks, nonhuman primates and any other species of wild, exotic or carnivorous animal that may be further restricted in this chapter.
Quarantine by Owner:
- Animal must be inside an enclosed structure, i.e., house or garage and must remain there for 10 days.
- If maintained outside, animal must be behind a fence from which it cannot escape and on a chain from which it cannot break loose or inside a covered pen or kennel from which it cannot escape.
- Animal must be kept away from other animals and people excepting those in the immediate household.
- Animal may not be removed from the corporate city limits while under quarantine.
Rabies Vaccination: The vaccination of a dog, cat, or other domestic animal with an anti-rabies vaccine approved by the state department of health and administered by a veterinarian licensed by the state. (1977 Code of Ordinances, Chapter 3, Article 1, Section 1)
Running at Large: A dog 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.”
- Off-premises: Any dog, cat, or other animal which is not restrained by means of a leash or chain of sufficient strength and length to permit the animal’s action to be controlled while off-premises.
- On-premises: Any dog, cat, or other animal not confined on the premises of its owner by a substantial fence or other enclosure of sufficient strength and height to prevent the animal from escaping therefrom. However, an animal shall not be considered to be “at large” if it is secured on a premises by a leash or chain of sufficient strength to prevent the animal from escaping from the premises when the chain or leash is extended to its maximum length. However, every chained or leashed animal shall be provided access to water and food at all times.
- Any dog, cat or other animal located in the bed or open area of a vehicle, truck or trailer such that the dog, cat, or animal could escape from the bed or open area shall be deemed to be “at large.” (Ordinance 1066 adopted April 23, 2001)
Stray Animal: (including estrays) Any animal, for which there is no identifiable owner or harborer, which is found to be at large within the corporate limits of the city.
Wild Animal: All species of animals which exist in a natural unconfined state and are usually not domesticated.
Vicious Animal: Any animal that bites or otherwise attacks any human being or other animal without provocation or constitutes a physical threat by reason of its continuous aggressive behavior toward human beings or other animals.