Report Animal Cruelty and Tethering Violations
FOR CHAINING/TETHERING VIOLATIONS AND EVIDENCE OF CRUELTY OR NEGLECT
If you need to report a potential violation of the current tethering ordinance or potential evidence of animal cruelty or neglect, please dial 311.
If you call 311 regarding a potential violation of the current tethering/chaining law, please consider the following:
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Give the operator a detailed description of the dog, the situation, and the exact street address (if possible).
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Ask the operator for the "service request" number of your report.
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Ask the operator how soon the situation can be investigated.
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Ask the operator when you can call back to check on the outcome (you will need the service request number).
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Ask the operator for his/her name.
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If you wish, ask the operator if you can remain anonymous.
TO REPORT VIOLENT ACTS OF CRUELTY IN PROGRESS
If you need to report an act of human-organized animal fighting (e.g, cockfighting or dog fighting) in progress or a violent act of animal cruelty in progress, please dial 911.
REFERENCES
New Austin Dog Chaining/Tethering Ordinance - Effective October 1, 2007
Click here to read the text of the new ban on chaining/tethering unattended dogs.
If you see a potential violation of the new anti-chaining ordinance, please call 311.
Austin Animal Care Ordinance
Austin City Code
§ 3-2-5 PROPER CARE OF ANIMALS.
(A) An animal's owner shall keep the animal
in a clean, sanitary, and healthy condition.
(B) An animal's owner or handler shall provide for the animal:
(1) regular and adequate amounts of nutritious food that is appropriate
for the species and that maintains the animal in good health;
(2) a constant and adequate supply of clean, fresh, potable water that
keeps the animal hydrated for environmental conditions; and
(3) care and medical treatment for injuries, parasites, and diseases
that is sufficient to maintain the animal in good health and minimize
suffering.
(C) An animal's owner shall provide the animal with shelter that:
(1) is large enough for the animal to enter, stand, turn around, and lie
down in a natural manner;
(2) keeps the animal dry;
(3) provides the animal with natural or artificial shade from direct
sunlight;
(4) protects the animal from excessive heat and cold and other adverse
weather conditions; and
(5) is adequately ventilated.
(D) An animal's owner may not confine the animal to the extent that it
is forced to stand, sit, or lie in its own excrement.
(E) An animal's owner shall regularly maintain the animal and its
shelter to prevent odor or a health or sanitation problem.
(F) An animal's owner shall provide the animal with exercise space that
is large enough to prevent injury and keep the animal in good condition.
(G) It is an affirmative defense to prosecution under this section that
the animal's treatment was as directed by a licensed veterinarian.
Source: Ord. 20061005-007.
Austin Motor Vehicle/Enclosed Space Ordinance
Austin City Code
§ 3-2-6 SAFETY OF ANIMALS IN MOTOR VEHICLES AND ENCLOSED SPACES.
(A) A person may not transport an animal in
a motor vehicle on a public roadway unless:
(1) the animal is safely enclosed within the vehicle; or
(2) if the animal is transported in an unenclosed vehicle, including a
convertible, pick-up truck, flatbed truck, or motorcycle, the animal
shall be confined in a secure and appropriately sized vented container
or confined in a manner that prevents the animal from falling or jumping
from the vehicle or otherwise being injured.
(B) A person may not keep an animal in a motor vehicle or other enclosed
space in which the animal's health or life is endangered by high
temperature, low temperature, or inadequate ventilation.
(1) A peace officer or animal control officer may, after attempting to
locate the animal's owner, remove the animal from a vehicle or enclosed
space using any reasonable means, including breaking a window or lock.
If professional services are required to remove the animal, the owner is
responsible for the cost.
(2) A peace officer or animal control officer who removes an animal from
a vehicle or enclosed space in accordance with this subsection is not
liable for any resulting property damage.
Source: Ord. 20061005-007.
Other Ordinances and Laws
(See Title 3, "Animal Regulation")
Texas Penal Code - Cruelty to Animals Statute
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"Continuous tethering is inhumane and poses a threat to the safety of the confined dog and other animals, as well as humans." - Doris Day Animal League. |
Chain Free Austin
P.O. Box 13477
Austin, TX 78711-3477
Email: info@chainfreeaustin.org