Tuesday, March 25, 2008

Fort Worth approves several animal ordinance amendments

By Pegasus News wire

FORT WORTH — The Fort Worth City Council fine-tuned several animal control rules today in order to help the Animal Care and Control Division better serve the citizens of Fort Worth and their pets.

The council approved three amendments to the city’s animal control ordinance. The first amendment grants animal control, fire and police officers the authority to rescue an animal left in an unattended vehicle if it is deemed that its health, safety or welfare is in danger. The ordinance clearly authorizes the seizure of an animal without seeking a warrant in cases where the animal’s health, safety or welfare is in danger even if seizing the animal requires entering private property. However, if an animal is seized without a warrant, a post-seizure hearing will be held.

Another amendment clarifies parental responsibilities for child-owned pets. If an animal is owned or said to be owned by an individual who is younger than 17, the animal will be the responsibility of the parent, legal guardian or person responsible for the minor.

The final amendment revises the maximum weight limit to 120 pounds and height to 20 inches at the shoulder for miniature swine. In 1992, the City Council approved keeping miniature swine as house pets in Fort Worth. However, miniature swine were restricted to a weight of less than 60 pounds and a height of less than 18 inches at the shoulder. Figures published by the North American Potbellied Pig Association show that a mature potbellied pig typically weighs 60 to 175 pounds and measures from 13 to 26 inches in height. Based on these breed standards and a review of current ordinances in municipalities across Texas, the weight and height limitations were revised.

Violation of any of the ordinance amendments could carry a fine as high as $2,000 for each offense. All the amendments will take effect once they are adopted and published by the City Secretary’s Office. For more information regarding the amendments, call the Animal Care and Control Division at 817-392-3737.

Source: City of Fort Worth

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