RELEASE OR DESTRUCTION OF AN IMPOUNDED DANGEROUS ANIMAL.
Austin City Code § 3-5-7
in effect§ 3-5-7 - RELEASE OR DESTRUCTION OF AN IMPOUNDED DANGEROUS ANIMAL.
(A) Except as provided by Subsection (B), if the owner or handler of a dangerous animal does not reclaim the animal on or before the seventh day after the date the animal is impounded, the health authority may release custody and control of the animal to an animal shelter or impound facility.
(B) The health authority may release a dangerous animal for destruction by an animal shelter or impound facility before the deadline prescribed in Subsection (A) if the health authority obtains an opinion from a veterinarian stating that the animal is sick or injured and that destruction is necessary to avoid unnecessary suffering by the animal.
(C) An animal shelter or impound facility may dispose of, sell or destroy a dangerous animal released by the health authority under this title or state or local regulation.
Source: 1992 Code Section 3-1-3(H); 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_CH3-5DAAN_S3-5-7REDEIMDAANFetched: 10/27/2026