UPDATE: A proposed animal control ordinance was approved with amendments on a second vote at the May 25 Corpus Christi City Council meeting. The approved ordinance includes all the changes mentioned in the story below.
An update of the Corpus Christi pet ordinance will mostly likely include a microchip mandate for cats and dogs after the City Council meets Tuesday, May 25. The second and final vote is on the meeting agenda and will include an updated definition of what is considered a shelter for pets, establish a section for aggressive dogs at the city shelter, and address the failure of pet owners to reclaim their animals.
“The proposed Chapter 6 Ordinance Revision will focus on owner responsibility, resolving neglect, resolving nuisances, and modifying some definitions,” reads the agenda item on the first vote, which occurred May 18.
During the first reading and vote, the council expressed concern over a proposal to spay or neuter any animal 30 days after it has been picked up for lack of restraint.
“This needs to be very clear how this is going to be handled,” Councilor Mike Pusley said. “So far, it’s all I’ve received any comments (from the public) about.”
The ordinance was amended to allow the Animal Care Services manager to use discretion when deciding whether to spay or neuter unrestrained dogs or cats and to provide an appeals process. The concern was over high-value dogs that escape by accident.
The council agreed unanimously to move toward requiring microchips as registration. To lesson the burden on city residents, Animal Care Services will provide 10,000 free microchips when the ordinance goes into effect. Otherwise, microchipping costs $15.