Pets 101: How do I find out what local laws and ordinances apply to my pets?

July 21, 5:28 PMDallas Animal Rescue ExaminerRebecca Poling

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Communities across Texas all have laws and ordinances relating to pet ownership, from pet limits to leash laws and tethering to spay/neuter, and knowing and following those laws is one part of  being a responsible pet owner. 

Rescue groups and private shelters are often contacted by panicked pet owners wanting to surrender their pet after being cited by local authorities for a violation of a local ordinance.  This type of emergency is heart-breaking and totally avoidable, and it puts an extra burden on already-stressed organizations coping with the problem of too many unwanted pets.  So please be a responsible pet owner and know and follow the rules in your community. 

Do you know the laws in your area?  Find out below, so you'll know how to keep your pet from landing in a local shelter or with a rescue group. And while you're at it, please check out the adoptable pets at your local shelter and consider giving a homeless pet the ultimate gift.

• Dallas.  Dallas Animal Services' website provides pet owners with information on City of Dallas ordinances.
• Fort Worth. Fort Worth Animal Care & Control has a printable PDF recapping local ordinances available from the City of Fort Worth website (look for ANIMALS at the bottom)
• Plano.  Plano Animal Services website provides what you need to know.
• Richardson.  For information on Richardson city ordinances, call the shelter at  972-744-4480.
• Garland.  The City of Garland website can answer some of your questions, or call 972-205-3570.
• Mesquite. The City of Mesquite website has a comprehensive list of all pet related ordinances.
• Frisco.  You can access a printable PDF of Frisco's animal control ordinances from the City of Frisco website.
• Arlington.  The City of Arlington website provides links to an extensive list of current laws regarding pets.
• Denton.  Denton explains all of its animal-related ordinances on the Denton Animal Services website.
• Lewisville.  The City of Lewisville website has a comprehensive list of all animal related ordinances.
• Flower Mound. Animal related ordinances are documented in Chapter 6 of the City of Flower Mound municipal code.

Don't see your city listed here?  Simply do a web search for "animal control" and add your city's name.  Then look for "ordinances" or "regulations" and you should find what you need.  If not, don't hesitate to call and ask.  Remember, ignorance is not a defense to the law.