Keller, TX Animal Ordinances: Wildlife Feeding (2026)

Keller does not operate a blanket ban on feeding wild animals, but it does prohibit feeding that creates a public nuisance, sanitation problem, or attractant for rabies-vector species. Chapter 14 (Animals) and the Health chapter of the Code of Ordinances empower Animal Services and Code Compliance to cite residents who put out food (corn piles, meat scraps, pet food bowls) that attracts white-tailed deer, coyotes, raccoons, opossums, skunks, or bobcats into residential areas. Keller's rural-to-suburban transition keeps urbanized wildlife near its greenbelts, along Big Bear Creek, and through the open space corridors between Keller and Westlake, and feeding is the most common escalation factor. Deer feeding specifically draws coyotes and collision risk on Keller parkways; coyote feeding is called out separately in Texas Parks and Wildlife guidance as both illegal (under general nuisance) and dangerous. Feral cat colonies are managed through TNR (trap-neuter-return) programs coordinated with local rescue groups, and unmanaged colony feeding that creates sanitation complaints can be cited. Bird feeders are generally allowed when they are maintained, kept off the ground, cleaned regularly, and not attracting rats or squirrels in complaint-generating numbers. Feeding in city parks is typically prohibited under park rules. Violations can draw Class C misdemeanor citations up to 500 dollars and removal orders for food sources.