Mesquite, TX – November 18, 2020 – The Mesquite City Council has approved and adopted revisions to the Chapter 4 – Animal Ordinance that amends the City Code enforced by the Mesquite Animal Services Division. The revisions include updates to State law provisions, addresses outdated language and enhances definitions of a dangerous and aggressive animal as well as the new requirements for animal care and treatment. The new ordinance goes into effect January 1, 2021.
City Manager Cliff Keheley said, “These revisions are the result of our recent animal services strategic planning efforts. The members of the Mesquite Animal Services Strategic Planning Task Group were instrumental in giving directions on how to make Mesquite a safer place and more animal friendly. I appreciate the efforts of this group and the members of the Animal Ordinance Review Committee as well as the Animal Services Advisory Board for the time and attention they gave to this new ordinance.”
The revisions to the City Ordinance also address:
- New language that defines animal nuisance violations
- Clearly stating that microchipping is mandatory for all animals impounded by the City of Mesquite as well as by breeders and multiple pet permit holders
- Details on the holding period for animals by Mesquite Animal Services Division
- Expanding the provisions of the types of violations that apply to the proper care and treatment of animals by the public
- Adding a section on the topic of mandatory spaying and neutering after multiple impoundments by the City
- Incorporating hearings at Mesquite Municipal Court regarding non-criminal matters, such as continuing animal nuisances, inhumane or cruelly treated animals and disposition of prohibited animals
In 2019, the City formed an Animal Ordinance Review Committee to begin to gather input of proposed changes to the ordinance. Progress on the proposed changes were stalled by COVID-19, but the City’s Animal Advisory Board/Committee reviewed proposed revisions in September 2020. In October, the City held a virtual Community Input Meeting to discuss and receive public feedback on the proposed new animal ordinance.
Read a summary of the amendments.