The amendment being proposed would bring various changes within city limits as to how animals are handled and kept, including the protection of animals as one of the Animal Grievance Board central duties. The amendment will also allow the changing of the board’s name as well.
The new amendments aim to strengthen the protections afforded to animals in the community by regulating the sale of animals, limiting the length of time an animal may be restrained, regulating dangerous dogs, regulating the keeping of livestock within city limits requiring and proper registration of animals.
The city believes that the amendments recommended by the Animal Grievance Board serve a public purpose of promoting animal welfare and improving the health and safety of the community.
The general provisions on the amended ordinance are to provide a safe and healthy environment for both people and animals. The provisions of the ordinance may be enforced by the city’s vector animal control officers, police officers, code enforcement officers, and such other persons as designated by the city manager.
The new amendment has many changes including Sec. 6-3 Animal grievance board: Creation, authority and purpose, Sec. 6-6. - Animal facility; erection, maintenance, care of animals; euthanasia service, Sec. 6-7. - Prohibiting sale of baby chicks, ducklings or other fowl and rabbits including making it unlawful to color, dye, stain, or otherwise change the natural color of any baby chicks, ducklings, or other fowl or rabbits,Sec. 6-8. - Cruelty to animals, Sec. 6-10. - Standard of care, Sec. 6-12. - Reporting motor vehicle animal strikes, Sec 6-13 flooring standards for animal housing,Sec.6-14. - Prohibiting giving away animals as prizes or inducements, Sec. 6-15. - Prohibiting selling, displaying animals on roadside, parking lots, garage sales, flea markets and festivals,Sec. 6-16. - Exposing animals to poisonous substances,Sec. 6-20. - Safety of animals in motor vehicles , among other provisions.
Included in the changes is a City Backyard Chicken Pilot Project Program, allowing chickens to be kept within city limits by at least 200 individuals. Those individuals will be given special permits on a first come first serve basis that will cost $50. The permit comes with rules and guides to be followed.
The permits will allow residents to keep up to four chickens on a developed and occupied detached single-family property, subject to the terms and conditions of the ordinance.
The individuals applying for the permits will have to follow conditions for the keeping of chickens in the residential zoning districts, and must show that they will be able to follow the provisions, including providing a sketch plan of the back yard with all required structures and approval from a Homeowners’ Association where applicable.
The ordinance also addresses all unlawful acts under the provisions through criminal penalties and civil remedies through Section 6-24 which breaks down the violations by category as defined by sections in the new ordinance.
The new provisions on the animals ordinance are available to be read in the City of Eagle Pass website in the city meeting agendas section.