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"We
can judge the heart of a man by his treatment of animals." ~ Immanual
Kant
Did
you know about these League City Animal Ordinances?
-
Licensing
is required for domestic dogs, cats and ferrets (if the animal is
spayed/neutered, there is no charge for a license).
- Exotic animals
are not allowed in the City limits (snakes, lizards, pigs, hybrids,
etc.)
-
There
is an animal limit of 4 per household; 2 for apartments, condominiums
and duplexes
- There is
a leash law for cats and dogs - voice control is not acceptable.
- Animals
are required to receive a yearly or three-year rabies vaccine. The City
license is renewable annually, at the time of vaccination.
- There is
a nuisance law for barking dogs.
- If you find
an animal, you must report it to Shelter personnel.
Call
us for more information on these or other animal-related issues.
If
you have a group of people young or old, and would like an Animal Control
Officer to speak on a variety of topics, please contact the Shelter
for more information.
Summary
of Texas Animal Cruelty Laws
In
the state of Texas, animal cruelty laws have been in place since 1879.
While earlier versions of the laws dealt with cattle and livestock, today
Texas cruelty laws protect a variety of animals from inhumane treatment.
These laws define which actions are “cruel”, explain what punishment
or penalties can be imposed against those whom cruelly treat animals,
and describe minimum care requirements for impounded and wild animals.
Under
Texas law, the cruel treatment of animals is forbidden. There are a number
of actions that are considered "cruel", including:
(2)
failing to provide food, care or shelter;
(3)
abandoning an animal;
(4)
transporting or confining an animal in a cruel manner;
(5)
killing, seriously injuring, or poisoning an animal;
(6)
causing an animal to fight with another;
(7)
using a live animal as a lure in a dog race;
(9)
injuring an animal belonging to another person; or
(10)
seriously overworking an animal.
Generally,
there are two types of laws that protect animals from cruelty: criminal
laws and civil laws. These two types of laws are similar in many ways
but differ greatly in the penalties that they impose. If prosecuted in
a criminal case, a person may face penalties including a fine, loss of
freedom, or both. In Texas, animal cruelty convictions are classified
as either a misdemeanor or a felony. If a person under the age of eighteen
is convicted of animal cruelty, the law also requires that he or she undergo
counseling. On the other hand, if a person is brought to court in a civil
case for treating an animal cruelly, that person may have to pay damages
to the animal’s owner, or may have their own animals taken away.
The court could order that the animal be auctioned, given up to an animal
rescue group, or put to sleep.
Compared
to other states’ cruelty laws, Texas animal cruelty laws are unique
in a couple of ways. First, Texas criminal cruelty laws only apply to
domesticated animals, such as house pets and livestock. The laws do not
protect wild animals, circus animals, or animals used in experiments.
Second, Texas recently passed separate laws in 2001 that govern the keeping
of dangerous wild animals, such as lions, tigers and bears. These laws
require people that own wild animals to register the animals in the county
in which they live. The laws also set forth minimum care requirements,
such as enclosure or cage size, for the animals. Lastly, Texas no longer
has any specific laws that govern the treatment of circus, carnival, or
zoo animals. These laws were repealed by the Texas legislature in 1999.
Links
pertaining to animal laws in Texas:
State
Bar of Texas -Animal Law Section
League
City Animal Shelter
821 North Kansas Street
League City, TX 77573
Tel (281) 332-2566 x1 For ACO assistance
Shelter # 281-554-1377
Fax (281) 554-1379
© Copyright
- 2007 League City Animal Shelter - LCAS
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