Guides: Animal Law: General Information

Under Review

Note Many new Texas laws took effect on September 1st, 2025. We are working on reviewing this page and making updates if needed. However, information may be out of date until our review is complete. For help locating current laws, ask a librarian.

Animal Laws in Texas

Below you will find references to some frequently-asked-about Texas laws that govern animals and how humans interact with them. See other pages of this guide for more laws and information.

Animal Control Handbook
Created by the Texas Association of Counties, this publication discusses the law surrounding animal shelters, animal control officers, rabies vaccinations, and the regulation of dogs generally.
Stock Laws
This publication from the Texas Association of Counties is written in a Q & A style and covers relevant statutes and case law surrounding open and closed range status. It discusses the concept of "running at large," liability issues, estrays, and fences.
Texas Laws on Service Dogs and Emotional Support Animals
This article from Nolo, a legal publisher, describes protections for those using service animals under Texas law.

E-Books & Databases

Texas residents can access e-books with a free library account.

Animal law in a nutshell
Topics include: animal cruelty laws, livestock, domestic animal ownership, animal rights, hunting & fishing.

Animal Studies: Law, Welfare & Rights — HeinOnline

E-books, articles, primary law sources, periodicals, videos, and other materials about animal law and rights.

Note The library cannot tell you what the law means for your situation.