Adopt Ordinance Repealing and Restating Chapter 6:  Animals and Fowl of the Code of the City of Fort Worth, Establish Animal Licensing Fees, Expand the "Educate the Offender Program," and Approve Renaming of the Fort Worth Animal Care and Control Shelter (ALL COUNCIL DISTRICTS)

It is recommended that the City Council:

1. Adopt the attached ordinance repealing and restating Chapter 6: Animals and Fowl and amending other, animal-related chapters of the Code of the City of Fort Worth; and
2. Establish pet licensing fees; and
3. Expand the types of offenses eligible for the "Educate the Offender Program;" and
4. Approve renaming of the Fort Worth Animal Care and Control Shelter to the " The Chuck Silcox Animal Care and Adoption Center."
   

The Fort Worth Animal Care and Control Division of Code Compliance is seeking approval of this M&C to modernize the contents of Chapter 6: Animals and Fowl and other animal-related chapters of the Code of the City of Fort Worth in order to ensure compliance with related rules and laws, to be consistent with current policies and goals, to develop new standards in-line with cultural practices and to improve customer service to citizens. Additionally, the purpose of this M&C is to establish new fees for dog and cat licensing. In order to partially recoup the costs of offering dog and cat licenses, it is recommended that the following fees be implemented:
  

Type of Fee	Fee Amount
Three Year City License	$100
Five Year City License	$150
Life-of-the-Animal City License	$200

The Fort Worth Animal Care and Control Division of Code Compliance is also seeking approval of this M&C to expand the types of violations which are eligible for the "Educate the Offender Program." On January 2, 2001, the City Council approved M&C G-13120, which established an "Educate the Offender Program" for the Animal Care and Control Division.  The program allowed individuals who met certain eligibility requirements and were accused of violating specific animal related ordinances to take an educational course offered by the City instead of paying court fines and fees. The Animal Care and Control Division is now requesting to expand the program to include most first-time, non-cruelty or dangerous animal violations. Expanding the program will reduce the burden on the Court, allow for greater compliance and better educate pet owners.

The Fort Worth Animal Care and Control Division of Code Compliance is also requesting approval to change the name of the City animal shelter located at 4900 Martin Street from "The Chuck Silcox Animal Care and Control Center" to " The Chuck Silcox Animal Care and Adoption Center."

The following is a summary of the changes to the City Code:

• Microchip rather than City License (Article V, Sec. 6-17) - Require registered microchip with ownership data maintained through third parties as an alternative to a city license and add an exception for citizens willing to pay a fee for a collar license in three year, five year or life-of-pet increments
• Benefit - Frees up staff time to concentrate on animal welfare efforts while third parties maintain animal ownership information at no cost to the city

• Multifamily Pet Requirement (Article X, Sec. 6-69) - Landlords of a multifamily dwelling complex that allows tenants or guests to own, keep or harbor dogs or cats to shall require microchip, rabies vaccination and intact pet status or permit
• Benefit - Consistent with proposed animal ordinance

• Dangerous Dog Ordinance (Article III, Sec. 6-15) - Limited to dogs attacking humans and excludes dogs attacking domestic animals
• Benefit - Consistent with State law and provides more restrictions for dangerous dogs attacking humans

• Aggressive Dog Ordinance (Article III, Sec. 6-14) - Addresses dogs attacking domestic animals
• Benefit - Provides new criminal violation for known aggressive dog attack

• Quarantine of Animals (Article VI, Sec. 6-42) - Allows home quarantine
• Benefit - Consistent with State law and provides a more simplified process

• Pet Waste Pickup (Article IX, Sec. 6-61(o)) - Imposes duty on pet owners to clean up pet waste in all public areas and private property
• Benefit - Less pet waste in public areas and provides an avenue for the City and private property owners to address irresponsible pet owners who fail to clean up waste from pets

• Pet Reclaim Fees (Article VII, Sec. 6-44) - In accordance with the attached memo and policy, allow Director of Code Compliance to reduce or waive reclaim fees for pet owners in return for verified future compliance with ordinances, attending Responsible Pet Ownership Class, registering with City as volunteer, or agreeing to spay or neuter, vaccinate and microchip their pet
• Benefit - Increased opportunity for pet-family reunion and increased live release rate

• Intact Pet Fees (Article VIII, Sec. 6-46) - Allow pet owners to obtain an intact pet permit for an impounded pet with a fee of $500 to cover additional administrative, verification and enforcement costs
• Benefits - Sterilization of all reclaimed animals unless the pet owners agrees to an increased intact pet permit fee and future compliance with city ordinances

• Under Immediate Control (Article II, Sec. 6-13) - Require dogs to be secured by leash or under the owner's immediate control
• Benefits - Requires dogs to be maintained under control so as not to be a nuisance to others while allowing obedient dogs to safely accompany responsible owners without a leash in certain outdoor areas

• Multi-Pet Permit (Article V, Sec. 6-23) - Administrative approval of non-contested applications after notification of neighbors
• Benefits - More efficient process for uncontested multi-pet permits

• Retail Sale of Dog and Cats (Article IV, Sec. 6-16) - Prohibit retail sale of dogs and cats other than at the place where the animals were born. Exempts non-profit and rescue groups, dog shows, etc.
• Benefits - Encourage adoption of dogs and cats rather than purchasing through pet stores and puppy mills

• Feral Cat Trap Neuter Release Program (Article I, Sec. 6-12) - Apply Trap Neuter Release program to all impounded stray cats
• Benefits - Removes requirements that staff differentiate between feral and stray cats and will increase the release of healthy cats after sterilization

This M&C does not request approval of a contract with a business entity.