Victoria, TX Animal Ordinances: Exotic Pets (2026)

City Code Sec. 4-61 makes it unlawful to keep, raise, feed, or maintain any wild animal or vicious animal as a pet or for display or exhibition, for a fee or free. Zoological parks are exempt, and a traveling circus or other exhibitor gets an affirmative defense only while performing or for up to 30 days. The code separately defines 'dangerous wild animal' to cover big cats, bears, wolves, coyotes, and primates such as chimpanzees and gorillas, and defines 'wild animal' more broadly as anything normally found in the wild, poisonous reptiles, and reptiles over eight feet long. Any wild or vicious animal kept under a permitted exception must stay confined in a building or secure enclosure, or be leashed with a leash no longer than six feet (no retractable leads) and controlled by an adult.