Quarantine

The owner of a dog or cat which has bitten a human must produce the animal for 10 days’ confinement at the owner’s expense. The observation period will begin on the day of the bite incident. The animal must be placed in Animal Control facilities, if available. However, the animal’s owner may request permission from the City for home quarantine if the following criteria are met:

• secure facilities, approved by the City, are available at the animal owner’s home;
• the animal is currently vaccinated against rabies;
• the Animal Control officer or a licensed veterinarian must observe the animal on the first and last days of the quarantine period;
• the animal was not in violation of any laws at the time of the bite;
• if the biting animal cannot be maintained in secure quarantine, it shall be humanely destroyed and the brain submitted to a Texas Department of Health certified laboratory for rabies diagnosis.

It is unlawful for any person to interrupt the 10-day observation period. Wild animals will not be placed in quarantine. Any wild animal involved in biting incidents will be humanely destroyed and the brain submitted to a Texas Department of Health certified laboratory for rabies diagnosis.