Kyle, TX Animal Ordinances: Exotic Pets (2026)

Section 5-241 defines dangerous wild animals to include lions, tigers, ocelots, cougars, leopards, cheetahs, jaguars, bobcats, lynx, servals, caracals, hyenas, bears, coyotes, jackals, baboons, chimpanzees, orangutans, gorillas, and their hybrids, plus a broader prohibited-animals list covering antelope, ferrets born in natural habitats, ostriches, emus, elephants, Vietnamese pot-bellied pigs, apes, and other nondomestic species not common to the area. Section 5-242 bars, by family, Canidae (wolves, coyotes, fox and hybrids) except domesticated dogs, Mustelidae except ferrets, raccoons, bears, bats, poisonous reptiles, and venomous spiders. Section 5-243 separately declares felids, hyenas, bears, lesser pandas, natural-habitat ferrets, and monkeys or apes as contraband, and bans antelope, binturong, wild or miniature pigs, and elephants outright.

Section 5-244 makes it unlawful to possess, sell, give away, or import a wild animal, with an exception only for approved zoos or governmental zoological parks, and a narrow rescue defense letting a resident keep an injured or orphaned wild animal for three days or less before surrendering it to a licensed wildlife rehabilitator. Section 5-245 bars keeping such an animal for paid or free public display outside a permitted zoo or circus. The Animal Control Division enforces the article, with the city attorney authorized to sue for civil penalties.