Harris County Animal Regulations & State Animal Cruelty Laws

Harris County Animal Laws

• Harris County Animal Regulations
• Harris County Dangerous Wild Animal Regulations
• Regulations-Regulaciónes Pamphlet 

Dangerous Dog Regulations

• Definition of dangerous dog in Harris County
• Map of Current Dangerous Dogs in Unincorporated Harris County
• How to request a Dangerous Dog Declaration
• Process of declaring a dog as a dangerous dog in Harris County

Dangerous Wild Animals Regulation

• List of Dangerous Wild Animals requiring registration (Refer to Appendix A.)
• Requirements to register a Dangerous Wild Animal
• Application to register a Dangerous Wild Animal

Leash Law

• Definition of the leash law in Harris County
• Report animals in violation of the leash law to our shelter by calling 281.999.3191.

Licensing

• All cats and dogs over the age of three months and residing in unincorporated Harris County are required to have a Harris County license.  Proof of current rabies vaccination is required to license your pet.
• Definition of current license in Harris County
• Get a Harris County pet license

Rabies Vaccinations

• All cats and dogs over the age of three months are required to have a current rabies vaccination and Harris County license.
• Why is a rabies vaccination so important for you and your pet?
• Definition of current rabies vaccination in Harris County
• Cost of a rabies vaccination for your pet

Roadside Vendor Law

• Definition of the roadside vendor law in Harris County (Refer to Section 12.)
• To report a violation of a roadside vendor, please call our facility at 281.999.3191.

Animal Cruelty

• Animal Cruelty and Dog Fighting is defined and punishable under the Texas Penal Code Chapter 42 Sections 42.09 - 42.10

To report animal cruelty:

• If you witness animal cruelty or abandonment, file a report at 927Paws.org.
• Harris County District Attorney’s Office
• Houston Humane Society or call 713.341.3396 
• Houston Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals or call 713.869.7722. Press 0.

To report dog fighting:

You have three options when contacting Crime Stoppers:

• Call 713.222.8477
• Text 274637 and report your information
• Go to crimestoppers.org, scroll to the bottom of the page and download the mobile app