HomeMy WebLinkAboutOrdinance 18029-03-2008ORDINANCE NO. 18029-03-2008
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ARTICLE I OF CHAPTER 6 "ANIMALS
AND FOWL" SECTION 6-1 "DEFINITIONS" OF THE CITY CODE TO
REVISE DEFINITION OF "MINIATURE SWINE"; PROVIDING THAT
THIS ORDINANCE SHALL BE CUMULATIVE; PROVIDING A
SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; PROVIDING FOR A PENALTY CLAUSE;
PROVIDING A SAVINGS CLAUSE; PROVIDING FOR PUBLICATION;
AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
WHEREAS one purpose of Chapter 6 the City Code is to encourage responsible
animal ownership; and
WHEREAS current law allows the keeping of miniature swine as pets in the
City; and
WIIEREAS the Public Health Department recommends revising the limitations
on weight and height to reflect the height and weight that are typical of healthy, mature miniature
swine; and
WHEREAS it is advisable to amend Article I, Chapter 6, Section 6-1 of the City
Code to revise the allowable height and weight for miniature swine.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF
TI3E CITY OF FORT WORTH, TEXAS, AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1.
That Section 6-1 "Definitions." of Chapter 6 of The Code of the City of Fort Worth,
Texas, is hereby amended to read as follows:
Miniatu~°e swine: Any member of the swine family which has, through selective breeding, been
genetically manipulated so as to attain a maximum height of twenty (20) inches at the shoulder
and a maximum weight of one hundred and twenty (120)_pounds.
SECTION 2.
This ordinance shall be cumulative of all provisions of ordinances and of the Code of the
City of Fort Worth, Texas (1986), as amended, except where the provisions of this ordinance are
in direct conflict with the provisions of such ordinances and such Code, in which event
conflicting provisions of such ordinances and such Code are hereby repealed.
SECTION 3.
It is hereby declared to be the intention of the City Council that the sections, paragraphs,
sentences, clauses and phrases of this ordinance are severable, and, if any phrase, clause,
sentence, paragraph or section of this ordinance shall be declared unconstitutional by the valid
judgment or decree of any court of competent jurisdiction, such unconstitutionality shall not
affect any of the remaining phrases, clauses, sentences, paragraphs and sections of this
ordinance, since the same would have been enacted by the City Council without the
incorporation in this ordinance of any such unconstitutional phrase, clause, sentence, paragraph
or section.
SECTION 4.
Any person, firm, or corporation who violates, disobeys, omits, neglects or refuses to
comply with or who resists the enforcement of any of the provisions of this ordinance shall be
fined not more than Two Thousand Dollars ($2,000.00) for each offense. Each day that a
violation exists shall constitute a separate offense.
SECTION 5.
All rights and remedies of the City of Fort Worth, Texas, are expressly saved as to any
and all violations of the provisions of the ordinances amended herein, which have accrued at the
time of the effective date of this ordinance and, as to such accrued violations and all pending
litigation, both civil and criminal, whether pending in court or not, under such ordinances, same
shall not be affected by this ordinance but maybe prosecuted until final disposition by the courts.
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SECTION 6.
The City Secretary of the City of Fort Worth, Texas, is hereby directed to publish the
caption, penalty clause and effective date of this ordinance for two (2) days in the official
newspaper of the City of Fort Worth, Texas, as authorized by Section 52.013, Texas Local
Government Code.
SECTION 7.
This ordinance shall take effect upon adoption and publication as required by law.
AS ORM AND LEGALITY:
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Assistant
ADOPTED: March 25 2008
EFFECTIVE: O G~~~
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~iifj~ of Ford VVort~, Texas
Mayor and Council Communication
COUNCIL ACTION: Approved on 3/25/2008 -Ord. No. # 18029-03-2008
DATE: Tuesday, March 25, 2008
LOG NAME: 50MINSWINEAMEND
REFERENCE NO.: G-16088
SUBJECT:
Adopt an Ordinance Amending City Code, Chapter 6, Article I, Section 6-1 to Revise Definition of
Miniature Swine
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the City Council adopt the attached ordinance amending the City Code, Chapter 6,
Article I, Section 6-1 to revise the weight and height restrictions for miniature swine.
DISCUSSION:
In 1992, Council approved keeping miniature swine as house pets in the City of Fort Worth. The current
ordinance restricts the size of miniature swine to a weight of less than 60 pounds and a height of less than
18 inches at the shoulder.
Figures published by the North American Potbellied Pig Association reflect that a healthy, mature, potbellied
pig typically weighs from 60 to 175 pounds and measures from 13 to 26 inches in height, with the length
being proportional to the height. Based on these breed standards and a review of current ordinances in
municipalities across the state, staff is recommending that the size limitations be expanded to a maximum
weight limit of 120 pounds and a maximum height limit of 20 inches at the shoulder.
FISCAL INFORMATION/CERTIFICATION:
The Finance Director certifies that this action will have no material effect on City funds.
TO Fund/Account/Centers
FROM Fund/Account/Centers
Submitted for City Manager's Office b~
Originating Department Head:
Additional Information Contact:
Joe Paniagua (6140)
Daniel Reimer (7201)
James Agyemang (3743)
Logname: SOMINSWINIEAMEND Page 1 of 1