Frequently Asked Questions: Dog and Cat Registration Ordinance
Frequently Asked Questions: Dog and Cat Registration Ordinance
Q: I’ve never heard of this ordinance. How long has it been on the books and why is it getting so much attention now?
A: Smithville has had an ordinance requiring dog and cat owners to register their pets since 1947. Recent events involving loose dogs attacking people and cats make enforcement of this ordinance more important than ever. This push to register dogs and cats ensures the safety of our citizens and our beloved pets. Registration also helps expedite the return of a lost/loose pet to its rightful owner.
Q:Is Smithville the only place in the area to require pet registration?
A:No. The City of Bastrop, the City of Elgin, and the City of La Grange also have ordinances requiring residents to register their pets.
Q: How do I register?
A: You will need to register your pet at City Hall and provide the following:
- Pet information including name, breed, and age
- Your name, address, and contact information (phone and/or email)
- Proof of vaccination from your veterinarian
- Proof of spay/neuter from your veterinarian
Once your pet is registered, you will be given a City of Smithville license tag.
Q:Is there a fee to register dogs and cats?
A: Open Registration will be in effect for the months of January and February, 2015, meaning you will be able to register dogs and cats free of charge. Beginning March 2, 2015, a fee of $5.00 for spayed/neutered pets and $10.00 for unaltered animals will be in effect.
Q:When do I need to register my pet/pets?
A:Every three years (when the animals get their rabies vaccinations). If you move within the three-year mandatory registration period, you can update your address and contact information at no additional charge when you update your address on your utility bill at City Hall.
Q:Will the City send me reminders when I need to register my pets?
A:The City will NOT send notifications or renewal letters. The owner is responsible for remembering to register their pets with the City every three years after they are vaccinated for rabies.
Q:Do I need to register “indoor” cats or dogs?
A:Yes—even “indoor” animals can get outdoors and get lost or in trouble. Registering your pet with the City will help Animal Control find you if they need to.
Q:What happens if I don’t register my pets?
A:It is a violation of the City’s Animal Control Ordinance not to register your pet(s). If an unregistered dog or cat gets picked-up by the City of Smithville Animal Control Officer, it will be scanned for a microchip in an effort to identify the owner. If no microchip is found, the dog or cat will be taken to the Bastrop County Animal Shelter (589 Cool Water Drive, Bastrop, TX 78602 / phone (512) 549-5160). The owner will have 72-hours to pick up the animal before it will be placed on a list for adoption. Owners of unregistered, lost pets should contact the City of Smithville Animal Control Office and/or the Bastrop County Animal Shelter to verify whether an animal that matches the pet’s description has been captured. The pet owner may be required to pay a fine and/or impoundment fee to reclaim their pet.
Q:Will a patrol officer ever come into my yard to see if my dog is registered?
A:No. Police Officers and Animal Control Officers are only allowed to enter your property if you invite them in, if they are required to inspect your yard to verify that you have a secure fence, if they have a warrant, or if they have probable cause.
Q:Can the public still report stray animals?
A:Yes. The Smithville Police Department encourages citizens to call if an animal is loose, behaving dangerously, or acting aggressively. Like with other situations, officers rely on citizens to report issues because they cannot be everywhere.
Q:Will my pets be required to wear a collar with a tag?
A:Yes. If anyone finds a loose animal, they will look for a tag first to find its owner. If the Animal Control Officer picks up your pet, the City’s registration records will be reviewed in an attempt to identify and return the pet safely to their owner.
Q:Will the registration process require that my animals get micro-chipped?
A:No, but micro-chips are the best way to get your animal back if it is lost. The Police Department has a chip wand, and the Animal Control Officer always checks for chips first before taking an animal to the Bastrop County Animal Shelter.
Q:Will the registration process require that my animals get spayed/neutered?
A:No, but this is a good idea to help control the feral cat and dog populations that are a problem in Smithville and other communities. Spaying and/or neutering are the responsible thing to do if you do not intend to breed your animal. It will also cost owners less to register a spayed/neutered animal.
Area veterinarians include:
- Riverside Veterinary Hospital: 531 Hwy 71 E Smithville, TX 78957 / (512) 237-4644
- Bastrop Veterinary Hospital: 2900 Hwy 95 North / Bastrop, TX / (512) 303-6969
- Crossroads Animal Hospital: 651 Texas 71 / Bastrop, TX (512) 321-0506
- Fayette County Vet Clinic: 227 Svoboda Lane / La Grange, TX (979) 968-3535
- Welch Veterinary Hospital: 806 East La Fayette Street / La Grange, TX / (979) 968-5517
- Flatonia Veterinary Clinic / 1334 E Us Highway 90 / U.S. 90, Flatonia, TX / (361) 865-3541
In addition, Emancipet, a Low Cost Spay and Neuter program based in Austin, comes to Smithville and the Bastrop County Animal Shelter regularly (for more details: / 512 587-7729).
Q:How does the Smithville Police Department/Municipal Court define a “dangerous dog”?
A:It is against Texas State Law to discriminate against any specific breed of dog. Any dog, regardless of breed, that bites a human or another animal without provocation outside of the enclosure in which the dog was kept, will be deemed “dangerous.” The owner will be issued a ticket and must see the Municipal Judge and pay the fine within 10 business days. By State Law, if the dog has bitten a human, it will be quarantined AT THE OWNER’S COST for 10 days at the Bastrop County Animal Shelter (or an approved facility, such as certain animal hospitals) to determine if it has rabies.
Before the animal can go home with the owner, three things must occur:
1) Animal control MUST go to the owner’s home to verify that the yard is secure (a fence that will keep the animal in, for example). If the yard is not secure, the Animal Control Officer will provide the owner with a list of what needs to be done (at the owner’s expense), and will inspect the yard again to verify that the owner has adequately secured the yard before the animal will be returned.
2) The owner MUST show the Municipal Judge proof of insurance in the amount of $100,000/year from an insurance agent of their choice. The Municipal Court will not make recommendations regarding insurance options.
3) The owner MUST securely muzzle the dangerous dog in a manner that shall prevent it from biting a person or another animal when the dog is taken outside of the properly secured enclosure.
Failure to abide by the requirements above could result in the owner permanently surrendering their pet and could subject the owner to additional fine and/or penalty.
Q:Is there a limit to the number of times a dog can hurt someone/another animal before it is removed from its owner?
A:No; however, each time the dog bites or hurts a human or another animal, the owner must pay the fine (which will increase each time) and must follow the procedures above.
Q:How will the fees collected for registering dogs and cats be used?
A:Fees received for pet registration will be used to offset administrative costs of the program (e.g., purchase of tags, recordkeeping, etc.).
FINAL: 1/15/15