In Texas, an Animal Control Officer (ACO) is a local government official responsible for enforcing state and local animal laws, protecting public safety, and promoting animal welfare.
🐾 1️⃣ Enforcing Animal Laws
ACOs enforce:
-
Local city/county animal ordinances
-
State animal health and cruelty laws under the Texas Department of State Health Services regulations
-
Rabies control requirements
-
Leash laws and dangerous dog laws
They may issue warnings or citations for violations.
🐶 2️⃣ Stray & Loose Animal Control
-
Capture and impound stray or loose animals
-
Respond to roaming livestock complaints
-
Attempt to identify owners through tags or microchips
Transport animals to shelters
🦠 3️⃣ Rabies & Public Health Enforcement
Texas law requires rabies control programs. ACOs:
-
Investigate animal bite reports
-
Quarantine animals involved in bite incidents
-
Verify rabies vaccination status
-
Coordinate testing for suspected rabies cases
⚖️ 4️⃣ Dangerous Dog Investigations
Under Texas Health & Safety Code provisions, ACOs:
-
Investigate dog attack complaints
-
Determine if a dog meets “dangerous dog” criteria
-
Enforce registration, restraint, and insurance requirements
🐕 5️⃣ Animal Cruelty Investigations
ACOs may:
-
Investigate neglect or cruelty complaints
-
Document conditions
-
Work with law enforcement for seizure of animals
-
Testify in court cases
(Some cruelty cases are handled directly by police or sheriff’s deputies.)
🏛 6️⃣ Shelter & Community Services
Depending on the city or county, ACOs may:
-
Manage municipal animal shelters
-
Facilitate adoptions and owner reclaims
-
Educate the public on responsible pet ownership
-
Enforce licensing and registration requirements
👮 Authority & Training
In Texas:
-
ACOs must complete state-approved training
-
Some are peace officers; many are civilian code enforcement officers
-
Authority varies by jurisdiction
City of Temple Animal Services: (254) 865-2226
Consider these important factors before you choose your new dog/cat:
Dog:
- Dog Size
- Dog Breed
- Shedding of Coat
- Learning Ability
- Grooming
- Diet
- Breed Group
- Dominance Level
- Adequate Living Area
- Energy Type
- Age
Cat:
- Breed of cat
- Shedding of Coat - Long, Medium, or Short Hair
- Grooming - the longer the hair the more likely it is to shed more and require brushing
- Diet
- Adequate Living Area
- Energy Type
- Age
Dog:
- Brush
- Comb
- Shampoo
- Rubber Mat
- Nail Clippers
- Towel
- Ear Treatment
- A book on how to groom your new pet
- Collar & Leash
- Food & Water Bowls
- Bed
- Toys
Cat:
- Brush
- Comb
- Litter Box
- Cat litter
- Collar
- Ear Treatment
- A book on how to groom & care for you pet
- Food & Water Bowls
- Bed
- Toys -Include a scratching post!
The problem is pet overpopulation. Each year about eight to twelve million dogs and cats end up at an animal shelter around the country. Some are lost, some abandoned, some unwanted; most the result of irresponsible pet ownership. Sadly, between four to six million of them must be euthanized because there is not enough available homes.
Consider these facts:
- In six years, one female pup dog and her offspring can be the source of 67,000 puppies.
- In just seven years, one female cat and her young can produce 420,000 kittens.
- There is theoretically no limit to the number of offspring male dogs and cats can produce.
- Every day in the United States, tens of thousands of puppies and kittens are born. Compare this to the 11,000 human births each day, and you can see that there can never be enough homes for all these pets
Any person, firm, or corporation raising, keeping and maintaining livestock and/or fowl on a tract of land smaller than five acres shall obtain a permit from the enforcement officer. Application for such permit shall contain the following:
- name
- address
- telephone number of the person
- firm or corporation raising, keeping and maintaining livestock and/or fowl
- mailing address
- street address or description of the property on which the permitted activity will be located
- number of animals and/or fowl which will be kept
- duration of the activity
- name of any school, club, or educational institution or nonprofit organization of which the applicant is a member and under the direction of which organization the livestock or fowl is being raised
- a drawing the showing location of premises and the location on the premises where any stable, barn, pen, or other area where livestock and/or fowl are to be located and showing the location of neighboring residences or commercial buildings and the distance from such stable, barn, pen or other area.
Prior to issuance of a permit, an inspection shall be completed by the enforcement officer or his designee. If the site is approved, a permit will be issued. If such site is denied approval, a written report identifying the basis for denial shall be filled by the enforcement officer with the city secretary and a copy furnished to the applicant.
🏷️ Pet Tag — Immediate Identification
A collar tag typically includes:
-
Pet’s name
-
Owner’s phone number
-
Sometimes address or medical info
Advantages:
✔ Instant contact — Anyone who finds your pet can call you immediately
✔ No special equipment needed
✔ Low cost and easy to update
✔ May show proof of rabies vaccination (depending on local requirements)
💉 Microchip — Permanent Identification
A microchip is a tiny electronic chip implanted under the skin (usually between the shoulders). It contains a unique ID number that is registered in a database.
Advantages:
✔ Permanent — Cannot fall off or be removed accidentally
✔ Used nationwide by shelters and veterinarians
✔ Critical if pet is found far from home
✔ Proof of ownership in disputes
When scanned, the chip links to your contact information in a registry database.