Animal Ordinances in Abilene, TX (2026)
6 verified animal ordinances for Abilene, Texas, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
Abilene's animal code doesn't single out backyard chickens, but it flatly bars keeping swine anywhere in the city except in an agricultural open-space zoning district, and even there a hog pen must sit at least 600 feet from any residential district, church, or school. Roosters and hens fall under the City's general animal-noise and nuisance rules instead.
Abilene Bans Keeping Swine in City Limits
Significant RestrictionsAbilene Code of Ordinances § 6-10
(a)Except as provided herein or as otherwise allowed by law, no person who is the owner of any swine or any person who has any swine under his or her management or control shall keep the same or allow the same to remain in any pen or in any other place within the City.(b)This section shall not apply to or prohibit the keeping of swine by the following: ... (4)Any person, persons, organization, ...
Dog Leash Laws
Abilene's Code of Ordinances requires every dog owner to keep the animal restrained at all times, not just when off the owner's property, and defines exactly what counts as restraint: a fence, a tether, a leash, inside a vehicle, or at heel beside a competent handler. Animal control can impound any dog found unrestrained.
Abilene Requires Dogs Restrained at All Times
Some RestrictionsAbilene Code of Ordinances §§ 6-32, 6-1
Sec. 6-32. - Restraint of dogs. Every person who owns, keeps, or is in charge of a dog shall restrain the dog at all times. ... Restraint: An animal shall be deemed to be restrained when it is: (1)Confined on the premises of the owner within a fence or enclosure;(2)Fastened or picketed by a lead or rope so as to keep the animal on the premises;(3)Under the control of a person by a leash;(4)On o...
Breed Restrictions
Abilene has no breed-specific ban, but its Code of Ordinances lets Abilene Animal Outreach seize and formally classify a dog as 'dangerous' or 'aggressive' after an attack, then imposes mandatory confinement, warning signs, microchipping, liability insurance, and sterilization on the owner, with a Municipal Court appeal available within 15 days.
Abilene's Dangerous and Aggressive Dog Rules
Significant RestrictionsAbilene Code of Ordinances §§ 6-61, 6-65
"Aggressive dog" is a dog that makes an unprovoked attack on a domestic animal that causes bodily injury or death and occurs in a place other than an enclosure in which the dog was being kept and that was reasonably certain to prevent the dog from leaving the enclosure on its own. ... (a)In addition to the other requirements of this chapter, the owner or keeper of an aggressive dog shall, withi...
Exotic Pets
Abilene prohibits harboring high-risk rabies carriers, venomous reptiles and amphibians, any wild animal over 40 pounds at maturity, or any state-defined 'dangerous wild animal' inside city limits. A dozen narrow exceptions cover zoos, licensed veterinarians, research facilities, and traveling circuses under 30 days, but an ordinary resident can't legally keep one as a pet.
Abilene Bans Dangerous Wild Animals as Pets
Heavy RestrictionsAbilene Code of Ordinances §§ 6-7, 6-9
(a)It shall be unlawful for any person to harbor or maintain within the City limits the following animals:(1)All high risk rabies carriers, as defined in state law, including bats, skunks, coyotes, raccoons, and foxes;(2)Venomous reptiles and amphibians;(3)Any wild animal whose normal mature weight exceeds forty (40) pounds; or(4)Any "dangerous wild animal" as defined in the Texas Health and Sa...
Pet Limits
Abilene households may keep up to four dogs, four cats, or four combined without becoming a regulated 'kennel.' Cross that four-animal threshold and the property meets the Code of Ordinances' kennel definition, triggering the Land Development Code's commercial kennel standards, including a 300-foot setback from residential districts and a ban on burning animal waste.
Abilene Caps Pets at 4 Before Kennel Rules Apply
Some RestrictionsAbilene Code of Ordinances § 6-1; Land Development Code §§ 5.1.1.3(95), 2.4.3.3(31)
Kennel: Any place where more than four (4) dogs or more than four (4) cats, or any combination of cats and dogs where the total exceeds four (4) animals over the age of ten (10) weeks are raised, trained, boarded, harbored, or kept. [Sec. 6-1] ... KENNEL (WITH OUTDOOR PENS): A commercial establishment in which four (4) domestic animals over the age of ten (10) weeks (such as dogs and cats) are ...
Mandatory Spay/Neuter
Abilene doesn't mandate spay/neuter for every pet, but Sec. 6-94 requires it before a dog or cat over six months old can be reclaimed a second time from the Abilene Pet Adoption and Resource Center, and requires proof of sterilization within 30 days of any first release, with exceptions for health, breeders, and working animals.
Abilene Requires Spay/Neuter After Second Impoundment
Some RestrictionsAbilene Code of Ordinances § 6-94(b), (c)
(b)An owner reclaiming any dog or cat over the age of six (6) months, which has not been sterilized (spayed or neutered), shall submit written proof to the City of Abilene or its authorized agent of having the animal sterilized within thirty (30) calendar days of the animal's release from the animal shelter. Any owner who does not provide such proof of sterilization as required by this section ...
Looking for Taylor County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Abilene city rules.
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