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Animal Ordinances

How Mcallen Handles Animal Ordinances: A Practical Guide

By CityRuleLookup

Mcallen maintains 51 local ordinances across all categories, and 3 of those deal specifically with animal ordinances. Here is a breakdown of what the city actually requires, what is prohibited, and where Mcallen falls on the strict-to-permissive spectrum compared to other cities.

Dog Leash Laws

Mcallen requires dogs on leash in public. Off-leash in designated parks only. License and rabies vaccination required. TX HSC §822.013 covers dogs at large.

Off-leash: $50 to $200. At-large: impound fees + citation. Unlicensed: $50 to $250. Waste: $50 to $500.

Mcallen is more permissive than most cities when it comes to dog leash laws. That said, there are still limits.

Exotic Pets

Mcallen restricts ownership of exotic and wild animals. Many species require special permits or are prohibited entirely for public safety.

Mcallen is more permissive than most cities when it comes to exotic pets. That said, there are still limits.

Chickens & Livestock

McAllen caps poultry and fowl at six birds per acre on any lot, with no permit required. Enclosures must stay sanitary, and any bird whose loud, habitual crowing disturbs neighbors can be declared a nuisance and ordered removed from the city.

Key details: Bird limit: Six per acre, all fowl. Permit: None required. Coop setback: None for poultry. Roosters: No ban; crowing is nuisance. Enforcer: McAllen Police Department.

Keeping more than six birds per acre, or letting a bird's loud, frequent or habitual crowing disturb neighbors, draws a fine under section 1-14; defying the court's removal order is a class C misdemeanor.

The Bottom Line

Compared to many U.S. cities, Mcallen gives residents more room on animal ordinances. 2 of the 3 rules here are rated permissive. But permissive does not mean unregulated. There are still requirements, and the city does enforce them when violations are reported.

Keep in mind that Mcallen can amend these rules at any council meeting. For the most current version of any rule mentioned here, check the specific ordinance page, which shows when its source was last checked.