On August 9th, 2024, a new service request type (Illegal Vending-DAS) went live to address the sale of animals on private or public property. This service request addresses selling dogs, cats, and exotic animals on private property and the sale of all animals on public property. The City of Dallas has an ever-growing population of animals both in the shelter and out in the community. Many animals sold on the street are often kept outside in inclement weather and without proper confinement or water. The City of Dallas Animal Services urges the public to play a crucial role in combating this issue by reporting the illegal selling of animals through the new service request and adopting from their local shelter or welfare organization.
To make a report, call 3-1-1 or follow the steps below:
Step 1. Visit https://dallascrm.my.site.com/public/s/
Step 2. Select Animal Care & Control
Step 3. Select Animal Illegal Vending
Step 4. Hit Request this Service and fill out the form.
Provide as much information as possible - exact address and time observed, condition of animals, and license plate. The online form also accepts photo submissions.
SEC. 7-4.5. SALE OF DOGS AND CATS.
(a) A person commits an offense if the person sells, exchanges, barters, gives away, or transfers, or offers or advertises for sale, exchange, barter, give away, or transfer, a dog or cat four months of age or older unless:
(1) the dog or cat is currently vaccinated or cannot be vaccinated due to health reasons as verified by a licensed veterinarian; and
(2) the person has a current registration receipt and registration tag for the dog or cat.
(b) It is a defense to prosecution under Subsection (a) if the person is:
(1) animal services; (2) an animal welfare organization; or (3) an animal adoption agency.
(c) Except as provided in this subsection, a retail pet store commits an offense if the retail pet store sells, exchanges, barters, gives away, or transfers, or offers or advertises for sale, exchange, barter, give away, or transfer, a dog or cat, regardless of age.
(1) A retail pet store may provide space for the display of dogs or cats available for adoption by an animal shelter, animal welfare organization, or animal adoption agency, if the retail pet store does not have an ownership interest in any of the displayed dogs or cats and the retail pet store does not receive any fees or compensation associated with the display of the dogs or cats.
(2) It is a defense to prosecution under this subsection, if the individual only sells, gives, or otherwise transfers dogs or cats bred by that individual. (Ord. Nos. 26024; 32194, eff. 11-11-22)
SEC. 7-7.2. SALE OF ANIMALS FROM PUBLIC PROPERTY.
(a) A person commits an offense if he sells, exchanges, barters, or gives away, or offers to sell, exchange, barter, or give away, any animal from: (1) any public property; or (2) any property to which the public has access that does not have a valid certificate of occupancy allowing the sale of animals on the property.
(b) It is a defense to prosecution under Subsection (a) that the person is:
(1) animal services; or (2) an animal adoption agency. (Ord. 26024)
SEC. 7-7.6. ANIMALS AS PRIZES, PROMOTIONS, AND NOVELTIES.
A person commits an offense if he sells, exchanges, raffles, auctions, or gives away or offers to sell, exchange, raffle, auction, or give away any live animal as: (1) a prize; (2) an inducement to enter a place of amusement or a business establishment; or (3) an inducement to participate in a charitable fund-raising event. (Ord. 27250)