Animal Welfare

An animal owner may not leave any animal in any standing or parked vehicle in a way as to endanger the animal's health, safety or welfare.

• A Health Official, Animal Control Officer or Police Officer is authorized to use reasonable force, including the breaking a side window, to remove an animal from a vehicle whenever it appears the animal's health, safety or welfare is or soon will be endangered.

• An owner may not fail to provide an animal in their care with sufficient good and wholesome food, water and adequate housing protection from the weather.

• No person may beat, cruelly treat, torment, mentally abuse, overload, overwork, or otherwise abuse an animal.

Texas Health and Safety Code prohibits a person from intentionally, knowingly or recklesly cruelly treating an animal.

REQUIRED...

State Law defines the following actions as cruelty to animals:

Torturing an animal; Failing to provide food, care or shelter; Abandoning an animal; Transporting or confining an animal in a cruel manner; Killing, seriously injuring or poisoning an animal; Causing an animal to fight with another; Using a live animal as a lure in a dog race; Tripping a horse; Injuring an animal belonging to another person; Seriously overworking an animal.

We Conduct Animal Welfare Inspections & Investigations:

If you feel that a problem may exist related to an animal's safety or welfare please contact us at the Health Department between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. M - F at 972.875.6442; visit our office at 105 S. Preston St. Ennis, Texas 75119 or by Email .

For after hours Emergencies you may contact the Ennis Police Department by dialing 911.

Please Note: Important Animal Laws You Should Consider in Texas...

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA)

Tips for Animals in Cold Weather...

You Can Help Animals...

What is Animal Cruelty? ... these are some of the more familiar and recognizable examples...

You may face possible imprisionment and fines if you contribute to any of the following criminal offenses...