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Council amends animal ordinances to align dangerous‑dog appeals and permit adoption‑fee waivers
Summary
The council approved amendments to Chapter 6 to align city dangerous‑dog procedures with the Texas Health and Safety Code, making certain owner requirements mandatory and allowing fee waivers for city‑sponsored adoption events; the ordinance passed unanimously.
The Nacogdoches City Council unanimously approved amendments to Chapter 6 of the municipal code that revise procedures for dangerous‑dog designations and related animal-facility rules.
City Attorney Jerry Baker explained that recent review with the municipal judge and animal-control staff found portions of the city code conflicted with the Texas Health and Safety Code (chapter 822) on owner appeals and timing for post‑designation requirements. The amendments remove provisions that effectively forced owners to meet requirements (such as altering and ear‑tipping) before an appeal could be filed, and instead align the local process with state law so owners retain the statutory appeal period (SEG 1411–1444).
Baker also said the revisions change optional language to make attendance at a responsible-pet-ownership class and dangerous‑dog licensing mandatory once a dog retains that designation, and explicitly allow owners to surrender an animal in lieu of meeting additional requirements when consistent with state law. The ordinance adds administrative discretion to waive adoption fees for city‑sponsored adoption events to encourage adoptions.
Speaker 10 moved to approve the ordinance changes outlined in item 6f; the motion carried unanimously. Staff said the changes ensure local procedures do not foreclose statutory appeal rights and create flexibility for fee waivers at city events.
