Texarkana, TX Animal Ordinances: Exotic Pets (2026)
Key Facts
- Core ban
- No wild, hybrid, vicious, or prohibited animals
- Covers
- Big cats, wolves, bears, primates, venomous reptiles
- Exempt
- Livestock, fowl, common household pets
- Penalty
- Class C misdemeanor, up to $500 fine
- Enforcement
- Animal may be impounded or seized
Summary
Texarkana makes it a criminal offense to own, possess, keep, or harbor any wild, wild-hybrid, vicious, or prohibited animal within city limits.
It shall be unlawful to own, possess, keep or harbor any wild, wild-hybrid, vicious or prohibited animal within the city.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 27).
Full Breakdown
The code defines "prohibited animal" broadly to cover any animal not normally born and raised in captivity, listing venomous reptiles, big cats, wolves and wolf hybrids, bears, raccoons, primates, and more, then flatly bans owning, possessing, keeping, or harboring any wild, wild-hybrid, vicious, or prohibited animal in the city. An animal control officer can also declare any unlisted species "prohibited" if confining it in the city would threaten public health or safety. Livestock, fowl, and common household pets like ferrets and dogs/cats are carved out of the ban.
Violations & Fines
Class C misdemeanor, fine up to $500 per Sec. 1-8; the animal is subject to impoundment or seizure under Sec. 8-8(a)(6).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I keep a pet wolf-dog hybrid in Texarkana?
Are ferrets or common pet snakes banned too?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Texarkana
Texas rules heatmap·Compare Texarkana to another location·View the Texas animal ordinances overview
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