Lake Jackson council pauses new animal ordinance, forms subcommittee to rewrite rules on roaming and nuisance animals

Lake Jackson City Council on Jan. 23 agreed to pause enforcement of parts of ordinance 2292 and asked staff, the city attorney and a volunteer review group to redraft portions of the city—s animals code that residents and animal-welfare groups say created unintended consequences.

Council and staff said the council will pause the recently adopted language that expanded the definition of animals running at large and related enforcement provisions while a small group of citizens, animal-welfare representatives and staff refine wording and propose compromises.

The pause followed more than an hour of council discussion and public comment. Council members and staff described two separate goals: (1) respond to immediate complaints about animals coming onto private property; and (2) develop a longer-term plan to address unowned or feral cats citywide, with a focus on trap-neuter-return (TNR) and nonprofit-led programs. Staff said the city will help enable nonprofit programs where the city is permitted to assist, including applying for…