For residents living in the City of Combine, owning an animal comes with responsibilities designed to protect both the animals and the surrounding community.
Under Chapter 90 of the Combine Code of Ordinances, the city establishes requirements covering rabies vaccinations, dogs running at large, animal restraints, animal cruelty, dangerous animals, nuisance behavior and certain prohibited animals.
The ordinance also gives authorized animal control personnel the ability to enforce these regulations, issue citations and capture or remove animals found in violation of the chapter.
Here is a breakdown of the primary animal regulations every Combine resident should know.
Rabies Vaccination Requirements for Dogs and Cats
Combine requires dogs and cats to receive rabies vaccinations beginning at an early age.
- Initial Vaccination: Dogs and cats must be vaccinated against rabies by a licensed veterinarian by the time they reach three months of age and again at 12 months.
- Dallas County Residents: After the initial vaccinations, Combine residents living in Dallas County may use either an annual rabies vaccine or a three-year vaccine, depending on the vaccine administered.
- Kaufman County Residents: Combine residents living in Kaufman County are required under the city ordinance to have their dogs and cats vaccinated against rabies annually.
Owners are responsible for ensuring their vaccination certificate contains the owner’s name and address along with a description of the vaccinated dog or cat.
Animal control may request proof of vaccination. If the certificate is not immediately available, the owner has 30 days to provide it before a citation is issued.
Anyone aware of an animal bite or scratch that could reasonably transmit rabies, or an animal suspected of exposure to rabies, must report the incident to animal control, the appropriate county health authority or law enforcement within 24 hours.
Dogs May Not Run at Large
Combine does not permit dogs to roam freely away from their owner’s property.
A dog is considered “at large” when it is away from its owner’s premises without a leash or other immediate control by someone physically capable of restraining it.
When away from the owner’s property, a dog must be on a leash no longer than 12 feet and under the direct control of its owner or custodian.
Dogs may remain unsecured on their owner’s property only when they are restricted to that property. Once an unsecured dog leaves the property, it is considered at large.
The ordinance provides exceptions for dogs involved in lawful hunting and certain farming or ranching activities, including livestock herding performed by working dogs.
Rules for Restraining Dogs Outdoors
Combine’s ordinance also places restrictions on how dogs can be tethered or otherwise restrained outdoors.
An owner may not leave a dog outside unattended on a restraint that unreasonably limits the animal’s movement. Restrictions also apply during extreme weather, including temperatures below 32 degrees or when a local or state authority has issued a heat advisory.
Among the restraint requirements:
- Collars: Pinch-type, prong-type and choke-type collars may not be used as part of an otherwise prohibited restraint. Collars must also be properly fitted.
- Minimum Restraint Length: A restraint must generally be at least the greater of 10 feet or five times the length of the dog measured from the tip of its nose to the base of its tail.
- Safe Equipment: The restraint cannot be in an unsafe condition or cause injury to the dog.
The ordinance provides exceptions for properly configured running lines, pulley systems and trolley systems. It also allows temporary restraint for a reasonable period necessary to complete a task, provided the period does not exceed three hours within a 24-hour period.
Animal Cruelty and Proper Care
Combine’s animal ordinance establishes minimum standards for humane animal care.
The local cruelty provisions prohibit conduct such as torturing an animal, abandoning an animal, cruelly transporting or confining an animal, causing animals to fight and seriously overworking an animal.
Those responsible for an animal covered by the ordinance must provide necessary food, water, care and shelter sufficient to maintain the animal’s health. Veterinary treatment must also be provided when necessary to prevent suffering.
The ordinance additionally prohibits leaving an animal unattended inside a parked or standing vehicle during extreme heat or cold, or under other circumstances that endanger the animal’s health or safety.
Vicious or Dangerous Animals
Combine has additional restrictions for animals determined to have dangerous or vicious tendencies.
The city’s definition includes animals that have demonstrated tendencies to attack or bite people or other animals, animals that have committed an unprovoked attack, animals that threaten to attack a person, and animals determined by a veterinarian to pose a danger based on reasonable medical probability.
A vicious dog or dog with vicious propensities may not be allowed away from its owner’s property within the city, even when securely leashed. The ordinance imposes the same off-premises restriction on a female dog in heat.
Residents wishing to make a sworn complaint involving an animal believed to be vicious or dangerous must contact the Combine Chief of Police or a representative.
The complaint should include information such as the date, time and location of the incident, a description of the animal, available information about the owner and witnesses, and the circumstances supporting the complaint.
Following an investigation, Dallas County or Kaufman County authorities may become involved depending on where the animal resides.
Barking, Roaming and Other Public Nuisance Animals
Animals do not have to attack someone to violate the city’s animal ordinance.
Combine defines a public nuisance animal broadly enough to include behavior that unreasonably annoys people, threatens the health or safety of people or other animals, or substantially interferes with another person’s ability to enjoy his or her property.
Examples include:
- Animals repeatedly running at large.
- Animals damaging, soiling, defiling or defecating on someone else’s property.
- Continued or repeated barking, howling, whining or similar noises that cause unreasonable annoyance or disturbance to nearby residents.
Where possible, before filing this type of nuisance complaint with the city, the affected resident must provide written notice to the animal’s owner or keeper stating that the behavior has disturbed the resident’s peace on more than one occasion.
A copy of that written notice must then be provided to the city when the complaint is filed.
The ordinance also prohibits an owner from allowing an animal in heat to roam at large.
Dangerous Wild Animals Are Prohibited
Combine prohibits residents from harboring animals classified by the ordinance as dangerous wild animals within the city limits.
The prohibited category includes numerous large or potentially dangerous species, including lions, tigers, cougars, leopards, cheetahs, jaguars, bobcats, lynx, bears, coyotes, hyenas, wolves and several nonhuman primates.
Hybrids of animals included in the city’s dangerous-wild-animal list are also prohibited.
Swine Are Not Permitted Within the City Limits
Chapter 90 contains a separate and straightforward prohibition concerning swine.
The ordinance defines swine as any hog, sow or pig and states that keeping or maintaining one within the corporate limits of Combine is unlawful.
Penalties and Animal Control Enforcement
Combine’s animal regulations carry potentially significant penalties.
A violation of Chapter 90 is classified by the ordinance as a Class C misdemeanor. Upon conviction, a person may be fined up to $2,000, unless a different penalty is established by state law, in addition to applicable court costs and fees.
Each day that a violation continues may constitute a separate offense.
The city’s designated animal control officer or another authorized person may enforce Chapter 90, issue citations to animal owners and capture or remove animals found in violation of the city’s regulations.
Reporting and Contact Information
Residents with questions about Combine’s animal regulations or who need to report a possible violation can contact city officials.
- City of Combine City Hall: (972) 476-1532
- Address: 100 Davis Road, Combine, TX 75159
- Email: city@combinetx.com
- Official Code Reference: City of Combine Code of Ordinances, Chapter 90 — Animals
Understanding the city’s animal regulations can help pet owners avoid violations while protecting neighbors, other animals and the pets themselves.
