There are many types of animals that people may choose to keep as pets, and dogs and cats are the two obvious choices. After all, dogs and cats are by far the two most common animals kept as pets across the country. However, some people choose to go with more exotic pets, but be careful before making your choice because many exotic animals are illegal to keep as pets in Texas.
Here are five of the most popular animals that are illegal as pets in Texas.
1. Raccoons
Raccoons are cute and curious creatures, and you often see people interacting with raccoons or even keeping them as pets on social media and other places. If you are considering keeping a raccoon as a pet in Texas, you should rethink your decision because keeping a pet raccoon is illegal in the state of Texas.
Texas law does not allow any fur-bearing animals to be kept as pets, and this includes any animals that were traditionally hunted or trapped for their pelts, such as:
These animals may be kept in some situations, but this requires having a special permit.
2. Chimpanzees
It seems as though more and more people are keeping monkeys as pets today. While some species of monkeys are OK in Texas, chimpanzees are officially classified as “dangerous wild animals,” and this makes them illegal to keep as pets.
If you truly want to keep a chimpanzee as a pet, you may be able to file an application to obtain a Certificate of Registration for Dangerous Wild Animals within the state of Texas. This certificate is not easy to get because it requires you to meet many state requirements in order to get approval, but without this approval, owning a chimpanzee as a pet is illegal and could get you into some serious trouble.
3. Tigers
A tiger is considered by many to be the most desirable exotic animal. These majestic creatures are beautiful animals, but their care is much more complex than simply looking at them as big house cats.
The Big Cat Public Safety Act made the private ownership of tigers and other big cats illegal when it was passed into law, and this Act prohibits ownership of many types of big cats, including:
- TIgers
- Lions
- Cheetahs
- Leopards
- Jaguars
- Cougars
The Act includes exceptions for zoos, universities, and some privately-held organizations, but private individuals are no longer allowed to own big cats.
4. Wolves
While they share some physical traits with domestic dogs, wolves are wild, unpredictable animals that present severe safety risks. Because of these dangers, Texas has strict, zero-tolerance laws regarding live wolves.
Under the Texas Parks and Wildlife Code, it is flatly illegal for a private citizen to possess, transport, receive, or release a live wolf in the state. In fact, keeping a live wolf as a pet is a Parks and Wildlife Code felony.
5. Squirrels
If you find a baby squirrel, it may be tempting to raise it as a pet; however, keeping any native wildlife in Texas as a pet is illegal. Many native species are common carriers of rabies, and this could be dangerous to any humans that come into contact with the animals. While keeping some native animals is allowed with the proper permits, you should never capture any Texas wildlife to keep as a pet.
What to Do After an Animal-Related Injury
If you suffered a personal injury from someone else’s pet, you could have a right to recover both economic damages and non-economic damages from the animal’s owner. This includes both wild animals and domestic pets, so knowing how to handle the situation after an animal-related accident is critical to protecting your rights.
After an animal-related accident, you should:
- Get immediate medical treatment for your injuries
- Notify the animal’s owner of the accident
- Document your injuries as well as the scene where the accident happened
- Talk to an experienced personal injury lawyer
Your time to file a claim after an injury is limited, so do not wait until it is too late to get the help you deserve.
Contact a Houston Personal Injury Lawyer at The de la Garza Law Group for a Free Consultation
If you were injured by someone else’s pet or another animal in Texas, understanding your legal rights is important.
For more information, please contact the Houston personal injury lawyers at The de la Garza Law Group for a free consultation. Give us a call at (713) 784-1010, or visit our convenient location:
The de la Garza Law Group
1616 S Voss Rd Suite 870, Houston, TX 77057
(713) 784-1010
24/7
