ANIMALS CAUSING INJURY TO A PERSON.

Austin City Code tit. 3, ch. 3-2, art. 3

in effect

Austin City Code § 3-2-31 AFFIDAVIT OF INJURY AND IMPOUND REQUIREMENT.

§ 3-2-31 - AFFIDAVIT OF INJURY AND IMPOUND REQUIREMENT. (A) A person injured by an animal may provide an affidavit describing the animal and the injury to the health authority and the owner of the animal causing the injury. (B) Not later than 24 hours after receiving an affidavit of injury, the health authority shall direct that the animal be impounded at: (1) an animal shelter; (2) if requested by the animal's owner or handler, a kennel or a facility maintained by a veterinarian who agrees to confine the animal under this article; or (3) another location approved by the health authority. (C) Except as provided in Subsection (D), the owner or handler of an animal impounded under this section shall pay all costs related to the animal's impound, care, and feeding, including any impound fee. (D) The person injured by an animal impounded under this section shall pay all costs related to the animal's impound, care, and feeding, including any impound fee, if the injury occurred when the animal: (1) is physically restrained on the premises of its owner or handler; and (2) has a current rabies vaccination. Source: 1992 Code Section 3-1-4; Ord. 031009-9; Ord. 031211-11.

Austin City Code § 3-2-32 RELEASE OR DESTRUCTION OF ANIMAL CAUSING INJURY.

§ 3-2-32 - RELEASE OR DESTRUCTION OF ANIMAL CAUSING INJURY. (A) The health authority may not release an animal confined under this article unless the health authority receives a certificate signed by a veterinarian certifying that the animal is free of transmissible rabies and has received all vaccinations required under this title. (B) If the owner or handler of an animal confined to the care of a veterinarian under this article fails or refuses to claim the animal from the veterinarian or authorize the veterinarian to vaccinate the animal as required by this title, the veterinarian shall release the animal to the animal control supervisor. (C) The health authority may dispose of or destroy an animal confined under this article in accordance with section 3-1-25 (Disposition of an Impounded Animal). Source: 1992 Code Section 3-1-4; Ord. 031009-9; Ord. 031211-11; Ord. No. 20160623-002, Pt. 2, 7-4-16.

Austin City Code § 3-2-33 OWNER COOPERATION REQUIRED.

§ 3-2-33 - OWNER COOPERATION REQUIRED. (A) On receipt of an affidavit of injury under this article, the owner or handler of an animal subject to the affidavit: (1) shall comply with this article; and (2) may not interfere with impound of the animal. (B) If the owner or handler of an animal subject to an affidavit of injury refuses to allow the animal to be impounded, the health authority may capture the animal by any reasonable means. Source: 1992 Code Section 3-1-5; Ord. 031009-9; Ord. 031211-11.

Source: City of Austin, City Code and City Charter (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/tx/austin/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=TIT3ANRE_CH3-2REAN_ART3ANCAINPEFetched: 10/27/2026