Austin Animal Services follows a hazing-first coyote management plan emphasizing public education, deterrence, and habitat modification. Texas Parks & Wildlife treats coyotes as nongame furbearers; lethal removal is reserved for documented aggressive or sick animals threatening human safety.
Austin Animal Services maintains a Coyote Management Plan that prioritizes coexistence over indiscriminate removal. Residents are taught hazing techniques (waving arms, loud noises, water hose) to reinforce coyotes' natural fear of humans. Texas Parks & Wildlife Department classifies coyotes as nongame nonprotected furbearers under Parks & Wildlife Code Chapter 71, allowing landowner take where livestock or human safety is threatened, but Austin City Code Chapter 3-2 prohibits discharge of firearms within city limits and limits trapping in ways that channel response toward City staff. Reports of bold or sick coyotes go to 311; AAS investigates, posts hazing signs, and may authorize targeted removal only after documented aggressive incidents.
Illegal discharge of firearms or use of unauthorized leg-hold or body-grip traps within Austin city limits violates Austin Code Chapter 3-2 and firearms-discharge rules, drawing Class C misdemeanor citations plus animal-cruelty exposure under TX Penal Code 42.092.
Austin, TX
Austin City Code Chapter 3-2 prohibits intentional feeding of deer, coyotes, javelinas, and other wildlife where it attracts nuisance populations. Bird feedi...
Austin, TX
Austin City Code Chapter 3-2 requires cats over four months old to be licensed and currently vaccinated against rabies under Texas Health & Safety Code Chapt...
See how Austin's coyote management rules stack up against other locations.
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