§ 6-8. Cruelty to animals.

(a)

Cruelty to non-livestock and livestock animals, excluding uncaptured wild living creatures, is a violation of the Texas Penal Code and depending on the circumstances, is a class A misdemeanor, state jail felony, or a felony of the third degree.

(b)

It shall be a violation of this Code for a person to intentionally, knowingly or recklessly beat, cruelly treat, overload or otherwise abuse any uncaptured wild living creature anywhere in the city. A violation of this subsection is punishable as a Class A misdemeanor.

(c)

Animal control officers and peace officers shall liberally utilize the authority granted by state law to seize and impound any animal that has been or is being cruelly treated. If the animal control officer or peace officer has reason to believe that an animal has been or is being cruelly treated, the officer may apply for a warrant to seize the animal in accordance with state law, pending a hearing before any justice of the peace of Maverick County, Texas or any municipal court judge. Upon executing the warrant, the animal control officer or peace officer shall impound the animal and provide written notice to the animal's owner of the time and place of the hearing. The hearing shall be conducted in accordance with applicable state law for disposition of cruelly treated animals.

(Ord. No. 2018-20, § 1, 8-13-2018)