G-06-08-24-13D1 - 8/24/2006ORDINANCE NO. v OID-Og-A 43b
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE CODE OF ORDINANCES (1995
EDITION), CITY OF ROUND ROCK, TEXAS, CHAPTER 2, BY
ADDING SECTION 2.1900.1 GOVERNING OWNER RELEASED
ANIMALS AND ESTABLISHING FEES; AND PROVIDING FOR A
SAVINGS CLAUSE AND REPEALING CONFLICTING ORDINANCES
OR RESOLUTIONS.
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ROUND
ROCK, TEXAS:
I.
That Chapter 2, Code of Ordinances (1995 Edition), City of
Round Rock is hereby amended by adding Section 2.1900.1 as follows:
SECTION 2.1900.1 OWNER RELEASED ANIMALS
2.1901.1 VOLUNTARY RELEASE
Animal Control is authorized to take possession of any animal released by its owner upon proof
that the owner resides within the City, completion of an owner release form and payment of the
owner release fee. Regardless of the foregoing, Animal Control is not required to accept an owner
released animal if suitable shelter is not available based on (i) current occupancy, (ii) the type of
animal, or (iii) the condition of the animal or a reasonable determination is made by the Animal
Control Supervisor that accepting the animal is not in the best interest of the City. Upon
acceptance of an animal under this subsection, the animal immediately becomes the property of
the City. If an owner desires to reclaim a previously released animal and the animal is still in
possession of Animal Control and is not in the process of being adopted, the Animal Control
Supervisor shall turn the animal to the owner unless the Animal Control Supervisor determines that
the return of the animal would pose a danger to the health of the animal or to public safety. The
impoundment fees, boarding fees and medical costs incurred as provided by subsection 2.1906
must be paid prior to the return of the animal. The owner release fee shall be $50.00 per
unweaned litter and $30.00 per weaned animal.
2.1902.1 RELEASE IN LIEU OF IMPOUNDMENT
In lieu of impounding an animal for any reason authorized by this Chapter or other law, Animal
Control is authorized to take possession of any animal released by its owner upon completion of
an owner release form and payment of the owner release fee. Upon acceptance of an animal under
this subsection, the animal immediately becomes the property of the City. No animal released
under this subsection will be returned to the owner or a member of the owner's family or
household. No animal released under this subsection may be given to any person if the Animal
Control Supervisor determines that such release would pose a danger to the health of the animal
or to public safety. The owner release fee shall be $50.00 per unweaned litter and $30.00 per
weaned animal.
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II.
A. All ordinances, parts of ordinances, or resolutions in
conflict herewith are expressly repealed.
B. The invalidity of any section or provision of this
ordinance shall not invalidate other sections or provisions
thereof.
C. The City Council hereby finds and declares that written
notice of the date, hour, place and subject of the meeting at which
this Ordinance was adopted was posted and that such meeting was
open to thepublic as required by law atall times during which
this Ordinance and the subject matter hereof were discussed,
considered and formally acted upon, all as required by the Open
Meetings Act, Chapter 551, Texas Government Code, as amended.
Alternative 1.
By motion duly made, seconded and passed with an affirmative
vote of all the Council members present, the requirement for
reading this ordinance on two separate days was dispensed with.
READ, PASSED, and ADOPTED on first reading this day of
, 2006.
Alternative 2.
't I
READ and APPROVED on first reading this the 1 U `" day of
auC
, 2006.
2
READ, APPROVED and ADOPTED on second reading this the
th
day of
ST:,
, 2006.
, Mayor
City of Round Rock, Texas
CHRISTINE R. MARTINEZ, City Secr( tary
3
DATE: August 17, 2006
SUBJECT: City Council Meeting - August 24, 2006
ITEM: *13.D.1. Consider an ordinance amending Chapter 2, Animal Control,
regarding animals released by their owners. (Second Reading)
Department: Police
Staff Person: Lt. Bob Drawbaugh
Justification:
As more and more pet owners seek to surrender unwanted pets to the Round Rock Police
Department's Animal Control Unit, the city is experiencing increasing costs to care for these
animals. This ordinance seeks to establish a fee of $30.00 for a single animal and $50.00 for
a litter to be assessed for all voluntary, owner -released animals to the Animal Control Unit.
Funding:
Cost: N/A
Source of funds: N/A
Outside Resources: N/A
Background Information:
Since the City began contracting with the City of Pflugerville for animal -sheltering services,
Round Rock citizens now contact the Animal Control Unit to release unwanted animals to the
City. At the beginning of new shelter operations, the unit received several inquiries a week
from citizens and these requests have risen to 20 to 25 inquiries a week. The causes of this
increase may be greater public awareness of the shelter and continued increases in the
residential and pet populations.
Citizens give various reasons for abandoning their pets. They may be moving and cannot
take pets with them; they may have a new baby in the family; they may not be able to
afford pet care; or they may simple not want the pet. Whole litters of cats and dogs have
been released to the Animal Control Unit and, several times, Animal Control officers have
found animals in carriers abandoned at their office door. The Department believes the
release rates will remain the same or increase into the future.
Before accepting an animal, Animal Control officers first refer citizens to a rescue group, pet
adoption organizations or offer assistance in addressing the reason(s) why owners want to
release their pet. If the Unit accepts the animal, it is evaluated and sheltered with the intent
to adopt it out. The City is faced with the costs of housing and feeding the animal, treating
it during illness, seeking to find a new owner, and - as a last resort - euthanizing it.
Public Comment: None