Gainesville — Many area families own at least one pet — be it a dog in the home, or a cat.

But local laws associated with pet ownership regularly go ignored.

In July 2010, Gainesville City Council approved a 29-page ordinance placing guidelines on which selection of pets residents can keep plus the number of pets, the proper care of pets, and the rules and guidelines of pet ownership.

“There were quite a few changes made in this ordinance,” Gainesville Animal Control officer Jeff Scott said. “(The ordinances) really help the people and the pets.(They) back up the state laws on almost everything. Some are even better than the state laws.”

Most local ordinances, including those regarding pet vaccinations, are well known. But families may not have heard about other ordinances such as pet registration requirements and limits on the maximum number of animals any one family can have.

Break any of the ordinances and you might receive a citation. But many of the laws are still not widely known to the public.

According to Gainesville Police Department Capt. Kevin Phillips, the most common problem animal control officers face is dealing with a dog at large.

“This creates a number of issues,” Phillips said, adding this factor is why animal registration with the city is so important. “If an animal gets loose the identification helps in two ways. First, to return the animal to its owner; and second, to have a record of the animal’s vaccination history on file in case of an animal bite.”

According to a recent police department report, a total of 27 animal bites in Cooke County were reported between October and the end of June.

“A majority of these bites are dogs,” Phillips said.

Most animal-related citations are for dogs at large, while unlawful restraint (using a chain or tether) and failure to register pets require less police attention.

“Unlawful restraints are starting to get better because the word is getting around because of the new law, which is a good thing,” Scott said.

Many of these ordinances were designed to clarify laws that were already in place, such as those defining an enclosure. According to one ordinance, “The definition of an enclosure is a secured fenced area or structure that is capable of preventing the entry of the general public and the escape or release of an animal or any part of the animal that can cause harm to another animal or human.”

The guidelines are meant to protect the animals, their owners and the public, Scott said.

“One of the interesting things is that you cannot have a dog in the back of your vehicle unless it is restrained,” Scott said. “If you go to the store and your dog is running around in the back of your truck and not in the cab of your vehicle, then he is considered ‘at large.’”

According to Scott, this prevents a dog from jumping out of the vehicle and biting someone. It also prohibits residents from owning exotic animals.

“You can’t own a chimpanzee or exotic snakes,” Scott said. “Believe me, I have had people call and ask.”

But this ordinance doesn’t just apply to animals such as dogs, cats, and rabbits and ferrets; it has also revamped the city’s guidelines and laws for livestock.

“You can only own livestock in town if you have five or more acres, then it is an acre per head.” Scott said. “The only exception to this number requirement is if you have 15 or more acres of land and are running a farming operation, ranching operation or a horse training facility.”

 According to the ordinance, dog and cat owners must show proof of rabies vaccination and have their pet registered at Noah’s Ark, the facility designated by the City of Gainesville. It is located at 2501 N. Weaver St. Per the ordinance, there is a limit to the number of animals allowed in a single family home.

“It shall be unlawful for any person to keep or cause to be kept over four dogs, cats, rabbits, or ferrets; or any combination thereof; per household on at or within the city limits of Gainesville, with the only exception being a female dog, cat, rabbit, or ferret which has given birth,” the ordinance reads. “There shall be no more than two permanent outside dogs per household.”

City guidelines include four safeguards that must be in place for animal care:

• Sufficient nutritious and wholesome food, served to the animal in clean containers.

• Clean and wholesome water, served in clean containers.

• Adequate shelter and protection from the weather is necessary at all times; a dog kept outside of the residence for more than one hour must be provided with a dog house.

• Veterinarian care should be available as needed to prevent suffering.

For information regarding pet registration, call (940) 665-9800 or for information regarding the ordiances visit websites www.gainesville.tx.us.