Irving City Council repealed and replaced Chapter 6 – Animal Services section of the city ordinances to protect public health and safety, and match with federal and state laws. The new updates are effective immediately.
THE TOP FIVE CHANGES PET OWNERS NEED TO KNOW:
- City pet registration is no longer required, instead pet owners now required to microchip and register the dog/cat’s microchip with a national registry.
- Proper shelter is now required for pets kept outdoors.
- Animals in vehicles must be safely secured and cannot be left inside in the heat or cold.
- Aggressive Dog determination, procedures and ownership requirements are new additions to ordinance.
- Updates for the keeping of livestock and bees, as well as a new addition of keeping of domestic fowl.
ADDITIONAL ARTICLES INCLUDED IN THE UPDATED ANIMAL SERVICES ORDINANCE INCLUDE:
- Limits a single household to no more than eight animals, four months and older. Multi-pet permits no longer required.
- Restricts the sale of animals less than eight weeks of age. Additionally, limits the sale of any animal on any public property, like a parking lot.
- Individuals that find a lost pet need to notify Irving Animal Services or return the pet to its owner within 48 hours.
- Permit required for breeding dogs and cats.
- The keeping, selling of wild animals is prohibited.
- Spay/neuter requirements for pets.
- Pet owners are required to spay/neuter their dog and/or cat that bites a person, domestic animal or livestock while at large. Owners must show proof to Animal Services within 30 days from the incident.
- Animals that have been impounded at the shelter more than once in 12 consecutive months are required to be spayed/neutered.
- Limits the feeding of animals when it:
- Is a danger to public health or safety,
- Destroys public or private property, or
- Causes more than 10 animals to congregate at one time
For more information, visit Animal Ordinances.
