The City of Victoria has drafted a new proposed animal code based on residents’ feedback.
After proposing a series of amendments to the existing code, the City collected feedback from more than 1,000 residents through a public survey and two town hall meetings. This feedback has been incorporated into the new proposed code.
Changes to this draft include the following:
- Eliminating the proposed cap on the number of dogs, cats, or chickens at one residence.
- Increasing the minimum time that Animal Control must hold an impounded animal before disposition from three calendar days to five business days.
- Eliminating fees for the surrender of animals.
- Continuing to allow animals to be raised for agriculture education programs, with appropriate supervision.
- Continuing to require outdoor cats to be spayed and neutered.
- Restricting outdoor restraints for dogs.
- Eliminating maximum times that dogs may be left unattended.
- Creating an enhanced penalty for irresponsible pet owners.
- Reorganizing and renumbering Articles and Sections to make the chapter easier to understand and use.
- Eliminating text that was duplicative of state law.
The City Council will have a first reading of the ordinance at its Oct. 5 meeting. If the ordinance passes first reading, the second reading will be scheduled for Oct. 19 and the third reading will be scheduled for Nov. 2.
To read the proposed code, click here.