Chapter 6.12
ANIMAL CONTROL OFFICERS
Sections:
6.12.010 Animal Control Officers – Appointment.
6.12.020 Powers and duties of Animal Control Officers.
6.12.050 Polices, regulations and procedures.
6.12.010 Animal Control Officers – Appointment.
A. Appointment. The Mayor or agency authorized by contract with the City shall appoint a Chief Animal Control Officer.
B. Contract for Services. The City may contract, in whole or in part, for any or part of its animal control services.
6.12.020 Powers and duties of Animal Control Officers.
A. Chief Animal Control Officer. The Chief Animal Control Officer has all the powers of a Deputy Animal Control Officer and the power to administer and enforce the provisions of this title, including, but not limited to, the following: operating animal shelters, holding animal control hearings as authorized by this title, conducting low cost rabies vaccination clinics for dogs and cats, issuing written animal control administrative orders, negotiating and settling nonjudicial disputes and matters under this title, entering into settlement and payment schedule agreements, and developing and implementing animal control policies, regulations and procedures.
B. Deputy Animal Control Officer. A Deputy Animal Control Officer has the duty to enforce the provisions of this title, subject to the Chief Animal Control Officer’s authority, including but not limited to investigating animal control matters and issuing, filing, and serving citations and written administrative orders, and being certified as a lay vaccinator by the state of Alaska for the purpose of administering rabies vaccines to dogs and cats under the jurisdiction of the City.
6.12.030 Interference.
A. It is unlawful for any person to interfere with, hinder or molest an Animal Control Officer or officer or agent of the City in the performance of any of the officer’s duties under this title.
B. It is unlawful for any person to remove or release any animal from the animal shelter, animal control vehicles, live animal traps, or from any other official custody of any Animal Control Officer or agent of the City without first obtaining permission to do so from the Animal Control Office.
C. It is unlawful for any person to hinder or interfere with any animal control investigation, reporting or prosecution.
D. An individual may lawfully detain any animal found in violation of the this title provided they immediately notify the Animal Control Office and surrender the animal to the Animal Control Officer.
E. Violation of this section is an infraction. (Prior code § 6.20.090)
6.12.040 Record keeping.
A. Records. The Animal Control Office shall keep accurate records regarding impoundment, disposition of animals, and investigations regarding animals coming under the City’s jurisdiction.
B. The City and/or the Deputy Clerk of the City of Houston shall keep accurate and detailed records including but not limited to records regarding complaints, monies received, expended, and the registering of animals.
C. Confidentiality. Complaints and investigation records shall be kept confidential and not released unless otherwise required by law.
6.12.050 Policies, regulations and procedures.
The Chief Animal Control Officer may, subject to the approval of the Mayor of the City, establish written policies, regulations and procedures to carry out the provisions of this title. Animal control policies, regulations and procedures adopted and administered by the Chief Animal Control Officer shall be set forth in the manual entitled Animal Control Policies, Regulations and Procedures, which shall be made available to the public for no more than cost. The Chief Animal Control Officer may modify, amend or rescind, in writing, in whole or in part, subject to the approval of the Mayor of the City, the Animal Control Policies, Regulations and Procedures Manual.