Title
Consider/Discuss/Act on an Ordinance Amending Chapter 26, "Animal Control," by Amending Section 26-35, "Domestic animals that exhibit rabies symptoms or reasonably indicate rabies symptoms"
Summary
COUNCIL GOAL: Operational Excellence
(2.2: Continuously provide a high level of customer service to our
citizens)
MEETING DATE: July 21, 2026
DEPARTMENT: Code Services
CONTACT: Phillip Hubbard, Director of Code Services
Hannah Golden, Animal Services Manager
RECOMMENDED CITY COUNCIL ACTION:
* Adoption of the proposed ordinance.
ITEM SUMMARY:
* Currently, City ordinance prevents Home Quarantine (Confinement) of pets involved in a Local Rabies Control Incident (Bite) if there are other animals residing in the animal owner's residence, or the victim of the incident (person bitten, scratched, or otherwise exposed) does not live at the same residence as the animal.
* The proposed ordinance amendments would remove the above specificities unique to McKinney, and would align with the state minimal requirements for Home Confinement as outlined in the Texas State Administrative Code, requiring secure confinement of the Quarantined animal, a current rabies vaccine at the time of exposure for animals over 16 weeks of age, custodian monitoring and immediate notification of Animal Services if behavior or health change is noted during the quarantine period, observation of the animal on at least the first and last days of Home Confinement, and the animal was not at large as defined in city ordinance Sec. 26-14 at the time of the bite.
* Animals with a history of prior bite incidents would remain ineligible for Home Confinement.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
* In 2025, the McKinney Animal Services Department handled 276 Local Rabies Control Incidents. At 10 days of required quarantine per incident, this represents 2,760 total days where animals required accommodation.
* Options for Quarantine isolation are defined by the state as a department-licensed quara...
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