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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAnimal Control ordinance reviewTown of Westlake Mayor and Members of Council From: Lt. Michael D. Wilson Date: October 25, 2010 : The Town of Westlake and City of Keller Animal Ordinance Review A review of the Town of Westlake's and the City of Keller's animal ordinances revealed that both jurisdictions operate under similar provisions. Variances in the ordinances lie in the following areas: City of Keller Ordinance See. 3- 300 and 'Town of Westlake Ordinance See. 14-34: Both ordinances address the number of animals allowed within the town and city limits. The Town of Westlake restricts the number of animals kept to 3; whereas, the City of Keller allows 4 cats or dogs. Town of Westlake Ordinance Sec. 14 -40 and City of Keller Ordinances Sec. 3-430,3-440,3-450, 3 -460: The listed ordinances address the ownership of livestock within the respective town/city limits. The Town of Westlake specifies enclosed areas and specifies a required square footage for animals over and under 500 pounds. The City of Keller ordinances address the possession of livestock, livestock at large: impoundment, and prohibited places for livestock. Both ordinances address violations and penalties in reference to violating provisions of the given ordinance chapter. For the Town of Westlake, the violation is punishable by a fine of not less than $50 and not more than $100. The City of Keller's ordinance states that violations of the respective ordinance chapter will result in a fine not to exceed $500 for each violation. The City of Keller's animal ordinance details requirements for pet registration/licensing unlike the Town of Westlake's. In addition, the Town of Westlake utilizes a 10 day holding period of impounded animals and the City of Keller only holds impounded animals for 3 days prior to being able to make disposition. Outside of the listed variances all other aspects are similar in scope and mission. Based on my review, it is my recommendation that the Town of Westlake adopt the City of Keller's animal ordinances. To do so would require minor changes to their current provisions and provide the Town of Westlake with Page 1 detailed provisions for the registering, vaccination, and adoption of animals. Further, it would provide Keller Animal Control Officers with one consistent provision of ordinances to follow. The following is the current fee list for the services rendered by the Keller Animal Services and Adoption Center. License (Altered) $5.00 License (Unaltered) $20.00 Replacement Tag Fee $5.00 Microchip Implanting $25.00 Adoption Fee (includes a voucher for spay /neuter and rabies vaccination), $$5.00 microchip implanting, initial booster and heart worm test. Free one year city registration to ]Daily Impound Fee $10.00 Pick -Up Impound Fees 1" Offense $30.00 2° Offense $50.00 3` Offense $75.00 4 Offense $150.00 5 Offense $150.00 Quarantine Fee (Per Day) $25.00 Surrender Fee (Resident Only) $30.00 Exotic Pet Fee Hazardous $200.00 Per Non Hazardous Year $20.00 Per Year Dead Animal Removal Fee $30.00 Registration Dangerous 1Dog $50.00 @ Page 2 The proposed adoption of the Keller Animal Ordinances would have minimal impact on revenues gained due to the registration fee only being $5.00 per year (Covers administrative fee and cost of the tag) for animals that are spayed/neutered and $20.00 per year if they are not. The purpose of the yearly registration is to ensure that the animals residing within the town limits are in compliance with rabies vaccination requirements. Likewise, expenses should not be impacted and there should be no impact on the current contract between the Town of Westlake and City of Keller Police Department. If you have any questions, please let me know. a Page 3