On June 14, 2017, the Dallas City Council voted to approve several ordinance changes that will affect DAS and the animals of the city of Dallas.
New Department
• Dallas Animal Services is a new, standalone department
• The process of finding a director for the new department of DAS is underway
Microchipping
• Pet registration will be replaced with mandatory microchipping for dogs and cats
• The information on the microchip, including owner name, address and contact information must be kept current within 30 days of a change
• This is a one-time cost for a pet owner that will save money in the long run as there will no longer be yearly registration fees
• You can obtain a microchip from your veterinarian, or microchips are available for just $15 every day at DAS, no appointment required
Breeder’s Permit
• All dogs and cats in the city of Dallas must be spayed or neutered by six months old
• The “intact animal permit” has been replaced by a “breeding permit”
• Each breeding animal must have their own permit that is renewed annually
• A veterinarian must approve the animal for breeding with 90 days of application for the permit
• The owner must be a member of a purebred animal club or licensed by the Texas Occupation Code
• Limits the number of litters per year
Confinement in Unattended Motor Vehicle
• Empowers a Peace Office or Animal Services Officer to remove an animal from an unattended motor vehicle using reasonable means after reasonable attempts to locate the owner
• Applicable in extreme temperatures when animal is showing signs of distress
Repeat Offenders
• Strengthens penalties for third conviction for proper restraint, rabies vaccination, microchip or spay/neuter
• Provides process for a hearing to determine whether the animal will be returned to the owner, excluded from city limits or become property of the city for disposition
Compliance
• Including a process for municipal courts to dismiss spay/neuter, rabies vaccination, microchipping citations if a citizen complies with the violation within 20 days