Animal Neglect

All animal owners are responsible for providing their pets and animals with adequate water, food, shelter, and veterinary care. Neglecting these basic needs is a violation of City Ordinance No. O-2019-98.

If an Animal Control or Tyler Police officer finds any animal neglected, they may impound it at their sole discretion. Violations of this section can result in the filing of Class C misdemeanor criminal Animal Neglect citations, written warnings, or higher-level criminal offenses with the District Attorney's office.

Read the Animal Neglect Ordinance No. O-2019-98.

Heatstroke

Heatstroke is a deadly condition that can kill your beloved companion, even with emergency treatment. The best way to avoid this terrible situation is prevention.

The temperature in a car can soar to over 117 degrees within an hour when the temperature outside is just 72 degrees. Temperatures in a car after the air-conditioner has been turned off will match outside temperatures within five minutes.

 If your dog can't come with you when you get out of the car, leave him at home.

Rabies

Humans can be infected with the rabies virus if they are bitten by an animal that has the disease. It is also possible to get rabies if the saliva from a rabid animal gets in your eyes, nose, mouth or open wounds. A common way for this to happen is if the person gets saliva on their fingers and then touch their face.

If you have such contact with a rabid animal, please visit a doctor, urgent care or emergency room. Only a series of injections (shots) can keep you from getting the disease. For this treatment to work well, it must be given soon after contact with the rabid animal.

For more information, visit the Texas Department of State Health Services Rabies Surveillance webpage.