Home | About ECROA | Maps | Deed Restrictions | Document Library | Image Library | Officers | Meetings | Services | Other Numbers | FAQs
LEASH LAW UPDATE:
What the new County Animal Control Ordinance Means
Q. What happened?
On January 10 2005 the Wilson County Commissioners
Court passed an animal control ordinance.
Q. When does the new ordinance go in effect? March 1, 2005.
Q. What animals does it apply to? Dogs and cats. The County already has an ordinance forbidding dangerous animals such as lions, tigers, wolves, and bears.
Q. Where does it apply? To all unincorporated areas of the County and the City of LaVernia. Floresville, Poth, and Stockdale have City Ordinances that apply within their city limits.
Q. Do I have to register my dogs and cats? No. No registration is required.
Q. Are any fees required? No fees are required to possess a dog or cat.
Q. Do I have to vaccinate my dogs and cats against rabies? Yes. Any dog or cat over three months of age must be vaccinated. You should obtain a certificate of vaccination from your veterinarian and hold onto it in case your pet is accused of biting someone.
Q. Is there an Animal Control Officer? Yes. The Sheriff will serve as Animal Control Officer.
Q. What are the duties of the Animal Control Officer? He is to take reports of animal bites in areas of the county that these new rules apply to, quarantine animals suspected of having rabies, issue citations where appropriate for violations of the animal control ordinance, and maintain records and report to the Commissioners Court.
Q. Are dogs allowed to run at large? No. Owners may be cited if their dogs run at large.
Q. Does that mean that I am going to get a ticket if my dog goes next door? No. The purpose of this law is to protect the public, not harass every dog owner whose pet occasionally wanders off his or her property. If the neighbor's children can't play outside because your Rottweilers menace them, then you need to worry about being cited.
Q. Will the Sheriff pick up strays? Only in extreme cases. After listening carefully to the public, the Commissioners Court decided that Wilson County did not have the demand or resources to hire a full time dogcatcher and build a pound. The Sheriff will have the power to pick up strays but will only do so in cases where the dog presents a significant threat.
Q. What about barking dogs? Dogs bark. The ordinance does make it a nuisance for which a citation may be issued if a dog creates an unreasonable disturbance to the neighbors. As with the prohibition on dogs running at large, the purpose of the ordinance is not to fine everyone whose dog utters a bark, but to
allow the Sheriff the latitude to act in extreme cases where folks are prevented from the normal use of their home due to barking dogs.
Q. What about dangerous dogs? The ordinance declares a dog dangerous if it does things such as make an unprovoked attack that causes bodily injury while not in its yard. The dog has the right to defend itself if provoked. If a dog is declared dangerous, the owner must either keep it in a secure enclosure and provide liability insurance, or get rid of it.
Q. What do I do if I disagree with the Sheriff about how serious my neighbor's violation of the Animal Control Ordinance is? This ordinance makes certain things - dogs running loose or excessive noise - a nuisance. Thus, even if the violation is not serious enough for the Sheriff to issue a criminal citation, you may always sue in Justice of the Peace Court if you are unable to work out the problem with your neighbor.
(The above was reprinted with permission from Russell Wilson, Wilson County Attorney.)