City of Abilene considers spay/neuter mandate, ‘Aggressive Dog' category
ABILENE, Texas () – The Abilene City Council is considering several updates to the city's animal ordinance, including a spay/neuter requirement for all dogs and cats and the addition of an 'Aggressive Dog' category to better regulate attacks on domestic animals.
Abilene woman seeks to change city animal ordinance following alleged dog attack
On Thursday, February 13, the council will discuss potential changes to Chapter 6, 'Animals and Fowls,' of the Abilene Code of Ordinances. Proposed updates include:
Renaming the Abilene Animal Control Department to Abilene Animal Outreach.
Banning the sale of animals in public places and requiring landowner permission for sales on private property, including parking lots.
Mandating spay/neuter for all dogs and cats over six months old unless the owner holds a Commercial Breeder's Permit issued by the city.
Creating a Commercial Breeder's Permit to regulate dog and cat breeding within city limits.
Introducing an 'Aggressive Dog' category for dogs that make unprovoked attacks on domestic animals, resulting in injury or death.
Requiring proof of sterilization within 30 days for pet owners reclaiming their animal from the Pet Adoption and Resource Center (PARC).
According to the city's agenda packet, the proposed Aggressive Dog category would be separate from the existing state Dangerous Dog classification. While a Dangerous Dog is one that makes an unprovoked attack on a person, an Aggressive Dog would be one that attacks another domestic animal. Officials say this distinction would help clearly regulate dog-on-animal attacks and align procedures for enforcement.
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The council is also considering a spay/neuter requirement for all domestic dogs and cats over six months old unless the owner has a Commercial Breeder's Permit. Additionally, pet owners reclaiming animals from PARC could be required to provide proof of sterilization within 30 days. If passed by the council, failure to comply could result in a Class C misdemeanor, and if the pet is impounded twice, the city could sterilize the animal at the owner's expense before allowing it to be reclaimed.
The city council will review these proposed amendments and more during Thursday's meeting.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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