2006-046-RES-Limitation on the number of dogs/cats per household
ORDINANCE NO. 2006-046
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PARIS,
PARIS, TEXAS, PROVIDING THAT THE CODE OF ORDINANCES, CITY
OF PARIS, PARIS, TEXAS, BE AMENDED BY ADDING SECTION 5-20 TO
CHAPTER 5, ANIMALS AND FOWLS, PROVIDING FORA LIMITATION
ON THE NUMBER OF DOGS AND/OR CATS PER HOUSEHOLD WITHIN
THE CITY LIMITS OF THE CITY OF PARIS; MAKING OTHER FINDINGS
AND PROVISIONS RELATED TO THE SUBJECT; PROVIDING FOR A
PENALTY; REPEALING ALL ORDINANCES OR PARTS OF
ORDINANCES IN CONFLICT HEREWITH; AND PROVIDING AN
EFFECTIVE DATE.
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Paris, Paris, Texas, has been made aware of
complaints and problems associated with owning, possessing, or keeping a large number of dogs
and/or cats within the city limits of the City of Paris which have resulted in noise, foul and offensive
odors, or unsanitary conditions, which have adversely affected the health and safety of both citizens
of the City of Paris and of the dogs and cats; and,
WHEREAS, these complaints and problems involve noise, excessive, loud, or continuous
barking, odors, unsanitary conditions and the health of the dogs and/or cats; and,
WHEREAS, the above complaints and problems associated with owning, possessing, or
keeping a large number of dogs and/or cats affect neighbors, people living in the vicinity of such
dogs and/or cats, and the citizens of the City of Paris, and as a result of said complaints animal
control officers and police officers of the City of Paris have been called to and have responded to
said complaints; and,
WHEREAS, in order to maintain and protect the health, safety, and welfare of the citizens
of the City of Paris, the City Council of the City of Paris desires to limit the number of dogs or cats
that a person may own, possess, or keep within the city limits of the City of Paris; NOW,
THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PARIS, PARIS,
TEXAS:
Section 1. That the findings set out in the preamble to this ordinance are hereby in all things
approved.
Section 2. That the Code of Ordinances ofthe City of Paris, Paris, Texas, be, and the same
is hereby amended by adding Section 5-20 to read as follows:
"Sec. 5-20. Limitation on the number of Dogs and Cats.
(a) Limitation on number. It shall be unlawful for any household to own, possess,
keep, harbor, shelter, or maintain more than eight (8) dogs or eight (8) cats or any
combination of eight (8) dogs or cats within the city limits of the City of Paris, Texas.
(b) Exceptions. This ordinance shall not apply to a veterinary clinic, animal
hospital, commercial kennel, a pet shop, legitimate animal breeder or hobbyist that
is registered with the American Kennel Club or other similarly recognized kennel
club, a research institution or qualified researcher, performing animal exhibition, the
City of Paris Animal Control facilities, or to a litter of more than eight (8) dogs or
cats who are under six (6) months of age.
(c) Permit to exceed number. Any household, not excepted under the previous
paragraph, who desires to own, possess, keep, harbor, shelter, or maintain more than
eight (8) dogs or eight (8) cats or any combination of more than eight (8) dogs or
cats, shall apply to the Animal Control Division of the Paris Police Department for
a permit. Upon receiving an application for a permit, an inspection team consisting
of a City of Paris Animal Control Officer, a Lamar County/City of Paris Health
Department Inspector, and a member of the Lamar County Humane Society shall
inspect the premises and facilities involved to determine that the premises and
facilities consist of sufficient size for each animal and for all of the animals, that
adequate food and water exists, that the premises and facilities are free from foul and
offensive odors, and that sanitary conditions exist. A permit shall be issued by the
Chief of Police of the City of Paris if the inspection reveals that the conditions are
sufficient to ensure that the premises, facilities, and animals will not result in a
nuisance. The premises and facilities shall be subject to inspection during normal
business hours or upon a complaint. The Chief of Police of the City of Paris shall
have the authority to revoke any permit issued under this section, upon sufficient
inspection and investigation that a nuisance exists."
Section 3. That any person violating any of the provisions of this ordinance shall be guilty
of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction shall be punished as provided in Section 1-6 of the Code of
Ordinances of the City of Paris, Texas, and each and every day's continuation of any violation of this
ordinance shall constitute and be deemed a separate offense.
Section 4. That all ordinances or parts of ordinances in conflict herewith are hereby
expressly repealed.
Section 5. That this ordinance shall be effective January 1,2007.
PASSED AND ADOPTED this 11th day of December, 2006.
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Richard Manning, Mayor 7
ATTEST:
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
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A
hn D. Lestock, Assistant City Attorney