Animal Control

The Center Police Department provides animal control services and enforcement of certain local and state laws relating to the control and maintaining of animals within the City.

If an animal is dangerous or poses an immediate threat, please call 911.

Contact the Police Department at 936-598-2788 for any complaints of animals running at large, creating nuisances, or stray/abandoned animals.

Animals – running at large; requiring care and control by owner - (Code Sec 14-2; Ord 98-4); – penalties for violation (14-5; Ord 98-4) – fine $50-$200 for first offense, $200-$500 thereafter;
“No owner shall fail to exercise proper care and control of his animal and the premises the animals are kept. Failure to exercise care and control
of such animal and the premises constitutes these animals as a public nuisance..”

Nuisance violations by animals (Code Sec 14-3; Ord 98-4); – penalties for violation (14-5; Ord 98-4) – fine $50-$200 for first offense, $200-$500 thereafter;
Destruction of public or private property (including garbage cans); Running at large; excessive barking/noise complaint; unsanitary animal
housing conditions.
Authority to capture any strays – Dogs or cats (Sec. 14-31; 1978)
Dangerous Dog Act (14-32; Ord 98-4) Adopting Ch. 822 of the Texas Health and Safety Code regulating additional care, control, and financial requirements for owners of dogs declared ‘dangerous’
Rabies Control Act (14-33; Ord 87-9) Adopting Ch. 826 of the Texas Health and Safety Code regulating rabies vaccinations and related requirements for enforcement of state law

Keeping of Livestock (Code Sec 14-61; Ord 98-4)