§ 14-19. Dead animal collection.

(a)

Dead animal collection general. The city shall collect dead animals generated at customer's residences and as may be found in the city's public rights-of-way. Dead animals located on freeways are the responsibility of TxDOT.

(1)

Prior to loading a dead companion animal, such as a dog or cat, into the truck for transport and disposal, the dead animal collector will visually inspect the animal for an identification tag. If a tag is visible, the collector shall determine if it can be removed in a safe, sanitary, and respectful manner. If the tag contains information that is not legible, does not contain adequate contact information, or cannot be removed in a safe, sanitary and respectful manner, then the tag does not need to be removed and no further action is required.

(2)

The department will not retrieve and return a dead animal once it has been collected and placed in a collection vehicle for disposal.

(3)

The city and its agents shall not be required to clean any remaining residues from the point of collection.

(b)

Dead animal collection from residences.

(1)

Disposal in refuse containers. Dead animals collected from residences must be bagged and placed in the refuse container for collection with weekly service.

(2)

Animals too large to be placed in the refuse container must be bagged and placed at the point of collection.

(c)

Dead animal collection request to the city.

(1)

Residents may request collection by contacting the city's customer call center and providing the location and description of the dead animal.

(2)

Dead animals will not be retrieved from underneath buildings or in attics, drainage ditches, or private property except as outlined below. Collection of dead animals other than at the point of collection shall require mutual approval from the director or his designee and the property owner, tenant, or occupant. The city and its agents shall not be held liable for any damages to private property caused by collection activity.

(Ord. No. 2015-09-10-0760 , § 1, 9-10-15)