§ 6-43. Dogs running at large prohibited; exceptions.

(a)

It shall be unlawful for any person owning, keeping or having in his possession or control any dog to allow such dog to run at large upon the streets, sidewalks or public grounds of the city, or to allow any dog to run at large upon or about the residence, lot or lands of any person other than the owner of such dog. Any dog on the streets, sidewalks or public grounds of the city, or on the residence, lot or lands of any person other than the owner of the dog, shall be considered to be at large in violation of this section; except that a dog under the control of a person by means of a chain, rope, cord, or leash not more than ten (10) feet in length and of sufficient strength to control the action of the dog shall not be deemed to be running at large, provided such person is physically able to, and does, restrain such dog.

(b)

The following are defenses to prosecution under subsection 6-43(a):

(1)

It is an affirmative defense to prosecution that, at the time of the conduct charged, the dog is participating in an organized dog show or event sponsored by a nationally recognized or state-recognized kennel club.

(2)

It is an affirmative defense to prosecution that the person, at the time of the conduct charged, is an obedience trainer approved by the city, and is actively engaged in the training of a dog actually enrolled in a dog training school. Any dog duly and properly trained for this purpose must be registered with the city animal care services department.

(3)

It is an affirmative defense to prosecution that the person is in need of as service animal due to a disability such as blindness, being deaf or has another disability and at the time of the conduct charged, uses the dog to provide assistance, the dog is trained to provide assistance to a person with a disability, and the person is using the dog to provide assistance in connection with the person's disability. Any dog duly and properly trained for this purpose must be registered with the city animal care services department without paying a fee.

(4)

It is an affirmative defense to prosecution that the person is a veterinarian, a veterinary clinic employee, a peace officer, a person employed by a recognized animal shelter, or a person employed by this City of Laredo or County of Webb to deal with stray animals and has temporary ownership, custody, or control of the dog in connection with that position.

(5)

It is a defense to prosecution that the person is an employee of the Laredo Police Department, or another law enforcement agency, and trains or uses dogs for law enforcement or corrections purposes, and is training or using the dog in connection with the person's official capacity.

(6)

It is a defense to prosecution that, at the time of the conduct charged, the person's dog was on a leash, and either the person was in immediate control of the dog, or if the person was not in control of the dog, the person was making immediate and reasonable attempts to regain control of the dog.

(c)

The owner/trainer must comply at all times with rabies vaccination and pet registration requirements. The owner/trainer must, at all times, have in his/her possession a dog leash at least five (5) feet and not more than ten (10) feet in length and of sufficient strength to control the dog. If in a public place (i.e., park), training must be confined to designated areas for pets and comply with local public rules (i.e., picking up droppings, staying in designated areas, maintaining pet on a leash accompanied by owner and/or trainer at all times).

(Ord. No. 86-24, § 1, 2-17-86; Ord. No. 2014-O-117, § 1, 9-15-14 ; Ord. No. 2016-O-132 , § 2, 9-12-16)