Abilene, TX Animal Ordinances: Breed Restrictions (2026)

Sec. 6-60 adopts the state's dangerous-dog scheme, Chapter 822, Subchapter D of the Texas Health and Safety Code, as part of Chapter 6, and Sec. 6-61 layers a locally defined 'aggressive dog' category on top of it: 'a dog that makes an unprovoked attack on a domestic animal that causes bodily injury or death' outside any enclosure reasonably certain to contain it. Under Sec. 6-62, once Abilene Animal Outreach receives a qualifying dangerous-dog incident report it may seize and impound the dog pending investigation, and must release it to the owner if no dangerous-dog determination is made within ten business days and all fees are paid.

Sec. 6-63 lets an officer seek a warrant for the immediate seizure of an allegedly aggressive dog after a sworn complaint, again with a ten-business-day window before mandatory release absent a determination. An owner can appeal an aggressive-dog determination under Sec. 6-64 by filing written notice in Municipal Court within fifteen calendar days; a judge hears evidence and can affirm or reverse the classification, and failing to appear results in a final classification with no further appeal. Once a dog is finally determined aggressive, Sec.

6-65 requires the owner, within thirty days, to confine it so it can't reach any sidewalk or adjoining property, muzzle and leash it outside that enclosure, post at least two 'Beware of Dog' signs no closer than six feet apart, obtain up to $100,000 in public liability insurance if Abilene Animal Outreach requires it, microchip and photograph the dog, and have it spayed or neutered at the owner's expense before release.