HomeMy WebLinkAbout1990-01-16 * t
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MEMORANDUM
To: 1:ay Godbey
From: Eldred Pruitt Gj"
Date: January 16, 1990
Re: ADVISORY BOARD FOR ANIMAL SHELTER ACT
Article 4477-6b of the VTCS has been amended by the legislature and we
are now required to have an Advisory Board to insure compliance with
the Animal Shelter Act.
The Advisory Board shall be composed of at least one licensed
veterinarian, one county or city official, one person whose duties
include the daily operation of the shelter and one representative from
an animal welfare organization. They shall meet at least three times
per year and provide periodic reports to the Texas Department of
Health.
I am submitting the following names for the council's consideration as
board members:
John Craig 201 N. Ector Euless, Texas
Eldred Pruitt 201 N. Ector Euless, Texas
Max E. Ficken, DVM 1015 Harwood Rd. Euless, Texas
Kelly Attebury 1840 E. Lancaster Ft. Worth, Texas
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cc: John Craig qo
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ANIMAL SHELTER ACT
Art. 4477-6b Animal Shelters
Definitions
Section 1. In this Act:
(1) "Animal shelter" means a facility that keeps or legally impounds
stray, homeless, abandoned, or unwanted animals.
42) "Board" means the Texas Board of Health.
43) "Commissioner" means the commissioner of the Texas Department of
Health.
(4) "Department" means the Texas Department of Health.
(5) "Person" means an individual, corporation, or association and
includes a political subdivision of the state but does not include
veterinary medicine clinics or livestock commission facilities.
Standards for animal shelters
Sec. 2. (a) Every animal shelter operated in this state must comply with
the standards for housing and sanitation existing on the effective date
of this Act which implement Chapter 752, Acts of the 66th Legislature,
Regular Session, 1979 (Article 4477-6a, Vernon' s Texas Civil Statutes).
tb) An animal shelter shall separate animals in its custody at all times
by species, by sex (if known), and if the animals are not related to one
another, by size.
(c) The animal shelter may not confine healthy animals with sick,
injured, or diseased animals.
(d) Every person who operates an animal shelter shall, at least once per
year, employ a veterinarian to inspect such shelter to determine whether
it complies with the requirements of this Act. The veterinarian shall
file copies of his report with the person operating the shelter and with
the department on forms prescribed by the department.
(e) The board may require every person operating an animal shelter to
keep records of the date and disposition of animals- in its custody, to
maintain the records on the business premises of the animal shelter, and
to make the records available for inspection at reasonable times.
(f) A substantial violation of the requirements of this section is a
Class C misdemeanor.
SW Personnel training
Sec. 3. The board shall prescribe standards and charge reasonable fees
for the training of animal shelter personnel as to animal health and
disease control, humane care and treatment, control of animals in an
animal shelter, and the transportation of animals.
Advisory committee
Sec. 4. The governing body of every county, city, town, or village in
which an animal shelter is situated shall appoint an advisory ccamaittee to
assist in complying with the requirements of this Act.
(b) The advisory committee shall be composed of at least one licensed
veterinarian, one county or city official, one person whose duties include
the daily operation of an animal shelter, and one representative from an
animal welfare organization.
(c) The advisory committee shall meet at least three times a year.
Euthanasia
Sec. 5. fa) No person may put to death a dog, cat, or other small animal
in the custody of an animal shelter by shooting, except in emergency
field conditions, by clubbing, by using a decompression chamber, or by
administering any of the following substances:
1. unfiltered or uncooled carbon monoxide;
2. curariforrn drugs, including curare, succinylcholine, pancuronium,
glyceryl fenesin, used alone;
3. magnesium salts, used alone;
4. chloral hydrate;
5. nicotine; or
6. strychnine.
its) A violation of this section is a Class C misdemeanor.
Remedy
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Sec. 6. Any person may, upon proof of a substantial violation of the
requirements of this Act, obtain, a mandatory injunction, in a court of
competent jurisdiction to enjoin such violation.
Fees
Sec. 7. The fees collected under this Act shall be deposited with the
State Treasurer to the credit of the General Revenue Fund.
Exception
Sec. 8. This Act does not apply in any county having a population, of less
than 75,000 according to the last preceding federal census. Acts 1932,
67th Leg. , p 2544, ch 677, eff. Sept. 1, 1982.
Amended Sept. 1, 1987. Amended Sept. 1,- 1989.
Title of Act: Cross References
An Act relating to standards for Punishment, Class C misdemeanor,
certain animal shelters and the see V. T.V.A. Penal Code 12.23
care of animals; providing a'•`reynedy
for enforcement and penalties. Library References
Acts 1981, 67th Leg. , p.2544 Animals 22
ch. 677. C.J.S. Animals 46 to 50,56 at
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