Ordinance No. 20250318C

AN ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING A MANDATORY MICROCHIPPING REQUIREMENT FOR DOGS WITHIN THE CITY LIMITS OF KRESS, TEXAS; REQUIRING MICROCHIPPING OF STRAY DOGS; PROVIDING FOR FEES AND ENFORCEMENT; AND PROVIDING FOR A REPEALING CLAUSE AND SEVERABILITY.

BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF CITY OF KRESS, TEXAS:

SECTION 1: DEFINITIONS

For the purposes of this ordinance, the following terms shall have the meanings ascribed to them:
1.1 Dog: Any domesticated canine, regardless of age, that is owned or kept by any person within the city limits of  Kress, TX.
1.2 Microchip: A small electronic device implanted under the skin of a dog that contains a unique identification number, which can be read with a scanner.

SECTION 2: MANDATORY MICROCHIPPING

2.1 Requirement: All dogs located within the city limits of Kress, TX shall be microchipped by the owner at the time of registration. Proof of microchipping must be provided to the City of Kress City Hall upon request.
2.2 Responsible Party: It shall be the responsibility of the dog owner to ensure that their dog is microchipped and that their contact information is kept updated in the microchip registry.
SECTION 3: MICROCHIPPING OF STRAY DOGS
3.1 Stray Dogs: All stray dogs picked up by animal control or law enforcement officers shall be microchipped at the owner's expense before being returned to their owner or adopted out.
3.2 Fees: The fees for microchipping stray dogs will be posted at the City of Kress City Hall and shall be collected from the responsible party prior to the release of the dog. Fees may include, but are not limited to, the cost of the microchip, the implantation procedure, and any associated administrative costs.

SECTION 4: ENFORCEMENT

4.1 Violations: Any person who fails to comply with the microchipping requirements set forth in this ordinance shall be subject to penalties as outlined in the city’s municipal code.
4.2 Inspections: Authorized personnel from the  City of Kress shall have the authority to conduct inspections and ensure compliance with this ordinance.

SECTION 5: REPEALING CLAUSE

All ordinances or parts of ordinances in conflict with this ordinance are hereby repealed.




SECTION 6: SEVERABILITY

If any provision of this ordinance is held to be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect.

SECTION 7: EFFECTIVE DATE
This ordinance shall take effect immediately upon its passage and publication as required by law.

ADOPTED THIS 21st DAY OF March, 2025.


SIGNED:
Johnny Taylor 
Mayor, City of Kress

ATTEST:
Galen Owen 
Pro-Temp Mayor