Animal Ordinances in Hidalgo County, TX (2026)
1 county-level rule, plus city-specific rules for 4 cities in Hidalgo County, Texas.
Verified from official government sources
Note: These county rules apply to unincorporated areas of Hidalgo County. If you live within an incorporated city, that city's own rules apply: see the city list below.
Dog Leash Laws
In unincorporated Hidalgo County, dogs are controlled through the county's Rabies Control Authority and Texas law rather than a published municipal leash code. Texas Health and Safety Code Sec. 826.033 lets counties require restraint and impound stray or unrestrained dogs and cats.
Hidalgo County Dog Leash and At-Large Rules
Some RestrictionsTexas Health & Safety Code Secs. 822.007, 822.012 (Local Leash Authority; Dogs Running at Large)
Sec. 822.007. LOCAL REGULATION OF DOGS. This subchapter does not prohibit a municipality or county from adopting leash or registration requirements applicable to dogs. ... Sec. 822.012. CERTAIN DOGS AND COYOTES PROHIBITED FROM RUNNING AT LARGE; CRIMINAL PENALTY. (a) The owner, keeper, or person in control of a dog or coyote that the owner, keeper, or person knows is accustomed to run, worry, or...
Animal Ordinances by City in Hidalgo County
4 cities in Hidalgo County have their own animal ordinances rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
All Hidalgo County ordinances
See every category we cover for Hidalgo County: parking, noise, fences, fires, animals, pools, and more.
Hidalgo County Ordinance Hub →