Lubbock, TX Animal Ordinances: Exotic Pets (2026)

001 defines "dangerous wild animal" to include any animal not normally domesticated that, because of size, vicious nature or other natural characteristic, would endanger human life, property or domestic animals, and specifically names venomous reptiles, crocodiles and alligators; emus, ostriches, rheas and species illegal to own under state or federal law; and mammals including ocelots, lions, tigers, jaguars, leopards, cougars, bobcats, wolves, dingoes, coyotes, jackals, elephants, weasels, martins, minks, badgers, pandas, bears, raccoons, bats, foxes, skunks, cheetahs, servals, caracals, hyenas, baboons, chimpanzees, orangutans and gorillas, plus any hybrid of a listed species.

002(a) then bans keeping any wild animal in the city outright, exempting only facilities that were already fully permitted under federal, state and local law (including Texas Health and Safety Code chapter 822) before the ordinance took effect, government agencies, government-operated zoos, permitted wildlife educational centers and animal exhibitions with valid state or federal permits, and animal dealers or establishments holding a wild animal permit. Any exempt possessor must still hold every applicable state and federal permit for that species. 002(b), an animal establishment or dealer wanting to permanently keep a dangerous wild animal must apply in writing to the director of animal services with the species, its location, two identifying photographs and proof of the required state or federal permits.

003 separately bars selling, giving away or otherwise transferring a dangerous wild animal except as the chapter allows, and requires anyone who finds one at large to notify the city enforcement agent within 30 minutes.