Wild Animals

Wild animal or wildlife. Any non-domesticated creature (mammal, amphibian, reptile or fowl) which is of a species which is wild by nature, which is normally found in a wild state, and which is not naturally tame or gentle, or which, because of its size, vicious nature or other characteristics, constitutes a danger to human life or property including, but not limited to, all animals defined herein as prohibited animals or dangerous wild animals.

Section 2.104 Wild animals or wildlife; dangerous wild animals; prohibited animals.

Section 2.104.1 A person commits an offense if he harbors, possesses or otherwise has care, custody or control of a wild animal or wildlife or a dangerous wild animal (as defined in this ordinance) within the City except as specifically authorized herein.

Section 2.104.2 A person commits an offense if he transports, conveys, imports or otherwise delivers or brings into the City a wild animal or wildlife or dangerous wild animal except as specifically authorized herein.

Section 2.104.3 It is an exception to this section if the wild animal, wildlife or dangerous animal is within or maintained by a permitted zoological park, performing animal exhibition, circus or other duly permitted commercial animal enterprise or if the wild animal, wildlife or dangerous wild animal is exhibited or displayed at a primary or secondary school, college or university campus or facility of a governmental entity. It is an exception to this section if the person holds a valid certificate of registration issued by an animal registration agency as provided by Section 822.103 of the Texas Health & Safety Code for a dangerous wild animal.

Section 2.104.4 It is a defense to prosecution under this section that the animal possessed or harbored within the City is an infant or injured animal which is not capable of surviving on its own and is kept within the City for only such reasonable time as is necessary to permit the transfer of the animal to an appropriate wildlife rehabilitator or back to the wild.