Impoundment.
Houston Code of Ordinances § 6-55
in effectSec. 6-55. - Impoundment.
(a) The director shall seize any wild animal possessed in violation of this article and impound the animal at the BARC animal shelter or other suitable place. The director, any animal enforcement officer or any police officer may enter any building or property to seize a wild animal that is possessed in violation of this article upon consent of an adult occupant of the building or property or one having the right of possession of the building or property, or under a warrant issued by a municipal judge.
(b) The director shall impose a per animal fee for the impoundment of a wild animal, and a daily boarding fee, per animal. The amounts of the fees shall be predicated upon the cost of impoundment, care and feeding of the type of wild animal impounded and are stated in the city fee schedule.
(c) A wild animal that has been impounded for the first time may be redeemed within seven calendar days by its owner if:
(1) The owner demonstrates that he holds any state or federal license or permit required to keep the animal;
(2) The animal is not believed to be infected with rabies or any other infectious disease; and
(3) The owner provides a sworn affidavit setting forth that the wild animal will immediately be removed from the city and will be kept at an identified place where its possession is not unlawful.
The director may require that a wild animal that is released under this subsection be tattooed or otherwise made identifiable in the event that it is again impounded.
(d) Consistent with applicable state and federal laws and regulations, the director shall dispose of any wild animal that:
(1) Is not timely redeemed following its first impoundment; or
(2) Is impounded for a second time.
Disposal of a wild animal pursuant to this subsection shall occur by placing the wild animal in a public zoo or at a reserve, sanctuary or shelter operated by or under the auspices of a recognized humane organization. If a placement is not practicable and cannot be made within 30 calendar days following the date of impoundment, the wild animal may be humanely destroyed if destruction is not prohibited by state or federal law.
(Ord. No. 2022-44, § 2(Exh. A), 1-19-2022)
Source: City of Houston, Code of Ordinances and City Charter (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/tx/houston/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=COOR_CH6ANFO_ARTIIIKEWIAN_S6-55IMFetched: 10/26/2026