2017-029 Informal Staff Report on Exotic Animals
Date: May 5, 2017 Report No. 2017-029
INFORMAL STAFF REPORT
TO MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
SUBJECT:
During the October 11, 2016 council session, Council Member Bagheri directed staff to present
information regarding the regulation of exotic animals in regards to a tiger exhibit at the 2016
North Texas State Fair.
BACKGROUND:
On August 18, 2016, Denton Animal Services permitted a tiger exhibit featuring eight living tigers
to be displayed during the 2016 North Texas State Fair. The event was held from August 19, 2016
through August 27, 2016, at the North Texas State Fairgrounds located at 2217 North Carroll Blvd.
DISCUSSION:
Chapter 6 of the Denton City Ordinance makes it is unlawful to harbor, own, or exhibit prohibited
wild animals, such as tigers, within the city limits unless an animal control officer has issued a
valid permit for the animal. By ordinance, animal services sets the conditions under which
temporary permits may be issued to a zoo, research institution, school, performing animal
exhibition, rodeo, circus, or carnival , for a period not to exceed one year.
On August 18, 2016, the animal services supervisor issued a permit for the tiger show after the
exhibitor met the following conditions:
Animals were to be kept in an inspected, secure, enclosure
Veterinary certification of good health for animals
Exhibitor in possession of exotic pet permit
In February 2017, animal services established a written policy (Exhibits I and II) requiring that the
following conditions must be complied with prior to a wild animal permit being issued:
Each animal to be exhibited shall be micro chipped and the identification number shall be
recorded by a City of Denton Animal Services Officer.
Exhibitor shall provide a current Certificate of Registration in accordance to Chapter 822
subchapter E of the Texas Health and Safety Code.
Exhibitor shall provide a current Class A, B, or C license issued by the USDA. The
regional inspector shall be contacted to verify that said exhibitor is in good standing.
A local (City of Denton) veterinarian, currently licensed by and in good standing with the
TBVME, shall inspect the animals, and their enclosures and provide a health certificate for
Date: May 5, 2017 Report No. 2017-029
from TBVME shall be required.
Written and verbal communication from the veterinarian that has worked with the
vendor/exhibitor/animal owner, and is familiar with all of the animals that will be
exhibited.
Any exhibition featuring any animal that is considered a prohibited animal or wild animal
in accordance with Chapter 6 of the City of Denton Code of Ordinances shall not be
permitted.
An exhibition featuring any animal that is on the Texas Department of State Health
Services-Dangerous Wild Animal list shall not be permitted. This list can be found in
Chapter 822 of the Texas Health and Safety Code.
An exhibition featuring exotic or non-indigenous animals about which the Texas Animal
Health Commission does not have intrastate and interstate regulations for travel, shall not
be permitted.
Minimum liability insurance of $4,000,000.00
Written and verbal communication from the state certified animal control officer in the city
or county where the vendor/exhibitor/animal owner resides.
Exhibitor shall be required to follow all caging requirements and standards as set forth
under the Texas Administrative Code Title 25, Chapter 169 Subchapter G.
The ordinance requires an animal control officer to revoke a permit if the owner or exhibitor fails
to properly restrain or care for the animal. Applicants or permit holders may appeal permit denials
or revocations by filing a written request for a hearing to the Denton Chief of Police.
CONCLUSION:
The prohibited animal ordinance authorizes Denton Animal Services to establish conditions under
which wild animals, other than those harbored at commercial establishments dealing in the sale or
handling of such animals, may be kept or displayed. Animal Services recently adopted more
strenuous requirements for issuing prohibited animal permits.
ATTACHMENT(S):
Exhibit I AS 4.9 Prohibited Animal Permit
Exhibit II Requirements for a prohibited animal permit
STAFF CONTACT:
Lenn Carter, Deputy Police Chief
(940) 349-7966
lenn.carter@cityofdenton.com
Exhibit I
DENTON POLICE DEPARTMENT
STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES
SUPPORT BUREAU-ANIMAL SERVICES DIVISION
APPROVED BY:
EFFECTIVE: 02/23/17
AS4.9
REVISED:
Operations Bureau Chief
SUBJECT: Prohibited Animal Permit
REFERENCES:
PAGE: 1 of 1
4.9 PURPOSE
To establish a policy regarding requests for a Prohibited Animal Permit (hereafter called
Permit).
4.9.1 GENERAL INTENT
It is the intention of the Animal Services Division to review each request for a Permit from
the viewpoints of public health/safety and animal health/safety.
4.9.2 PROCESS:
When a Permit request is brought to the attention of the Animal Services Division, the
Supervisor or his designee will review the information that is submitted. The exhibitor of
the animals will be contacted and a copy of the Permit requirements will be emailed, faxed
or sent by mail for the exhibitor to review. Upon review and acceptance of the Permit
requirements, the exhibitor will have 2 business days to provide the Animal Services
Supervisor with the required information.
4.9.3 ANIMAL – ENCLOSURE INSPECTION AND MICROCHIPPING:
The exhibitor will have a 12 hour period from the time the animals arrive on site to have
their inspection done and their Health Certificate (CVI) presented to the Animal Services
Supervisor, to have their enclosures inspected and present the approved inspection report
to the Animal Services Supervisor, and to have all of the animals’ microchipped, and
present the information to the Animal Services Supervisor.
4.9.4 PERMIT
Upon receiving and reviewing the required information from the exhibitor, a Permit will
be approved and the exhibitor will be required to post the Permit in an area of the exhibit
that is accessible to the public.
Exhibit II
REQUIREMENTS FOR A PROHIBITED ANIMALPERMIT
These regulations shall be complied with prior to the permit being issued.
An exhibition featuring any animal that is considered a Prohibited Animal or Wild
Animal, in accordance to Ch. 6 of the City of Denton Code of Ordinances shall not be
permitted.
An exhibition featuring any animal that is on the Texas Department of State Health
Services Dangerous Wild Animal list shall not be permitted. This list can be found in
Ch. 822 of the Texas Health and Safety Code.
An exhibition featuring exotic or non-indigenous animals about which the Texas Animal
Health Commission does not have intrastate and interstate regulations for travel, shall not
be permitted.
Exhibitor shall provide a current Certificate of Registration in accordance to Ch. 822
(Subchapter E) of the Texas Health and Safety Code.
Exhibitor shall provide proof of a current, appropriate license (Class A, B or C) issued by
the USDA. The regional inspector shall be contacted to verify that said exhibitor is in
good standing. (Check list of Active Licenses and Registrants under the AWA)
A local (City of Denton) veterinarian, currently licensed by and in good standing with the
TBVME, shall inspect the animals, their enclosures and provide a Health Certificate
Proof of a current license and a Letter
of Good Standing from TBVME shall be required.
Written and verbal communication from the veterinarian that has worked with the
vendor/exhibitor/animal owner, and is familiar with all of the animals that will be
exhibited. Said veterinarian shall be currently licensed by and in good standing with the
TBVME. Proof of current license and a Letter of Good Standing from the TBVME shall
be required.
Each animal to be exhibited shall be micro chipped and the identification number shall be
recorded by a City of Denton Animal Services Officer.
Minimum liability insurance of $4,000,000.00.
Written and verbal communication from the state certified animal control officer in the
city or county where the vendor/exhibitor/animal owner resides.
Exhibitor shall be required to follow any and all caging requirements and standards as set
forth under Texas Administrative Code Title 25, Ch. 169 (Subchapter G).