The Dallas City Council voted to approve several ordinance changes that will affect Dallas Animal Services. In addition, DAS is a new, standalone department and is in the process of finding a director.
Microchipping
- Pet registration will be replaced with mandatory microchipping for dogs and cats
- The information on the microchip, including owner name, address and contact information must be kept current within 30 days of a change
- This is a one-time cost for a pet owner that will save money in the long run as there will no longer be yearly registration fees
- You can obtain a microchip from your veterinarian, or microchips are available for just $15 every day at DAS, no appointment required
Breeder’s Permit
- All dogs and cats in the city of Dallas must be spayed or neutered by six months old
- The “intact animal permit” has been replaced by a “breeding permit”
- Each breeding animal must have their own permit that is renewed annually
- A veterinarian must approve the animal for breeding with 90 days of application for the permit
- The owner must be a member of a purebred animal club or licensed by the Texas Occupation Code
- Limits the number of litters per year
Confinement in Unattended Motor Vehicle
- Empowers a Peace Office or Animal Services Officer to remove an animal from an unattended motor vehicle using reasonable means after reasonable attempts to locate the owner
- Applicable in extreme temperatures when animal is showing signs of distress
Repeat Offenders
- Strengthens penalties for third conviction for proper restraint, rabies vaccination, microchip or spay/neuter
- Provides process for a hearing to determine whether the animal will be returned to the owner, excluded from city limits or become property of the city for disposition
Compliance
- Including a process for municipal courts to dismiss spay/neuter, rabies vaccination, microchipping citations if a citizen complies with the violation within a specific time frame.