
Texas
Updates about legal issues facing animals in the state
The Animal Legal Defense Fund works at the federal, state and local levels to protect the lives and advance the interests of animals. This page is meant to be used as a resource to see what is happening in your state and what actions you can take for animals.
State Rankings
Each year, the Animal Legal Defense Fund publishes its U.S. State Animal Protection Laws Rankings Report. It is the longest-running and most authoritative of its kind, assessing the strength of each state’s animal protection laws by examining over 3,400 pages of statutes. Each state is ranked based on 20 different categories of animal protection.
Texas
Overall Rank: #11 (Top Tier)
- +Sexual assault statute is adequately defined, addressed related crimes, and is a sex offense
- +Sentence enhancements for repeat animal abusers and cases involving multiple animals
- +Court may order pre-conviction forfeiture of cruelly treated animals
- -Social services professionals are not required to report suspected animal cruelty
- -Limited definition of “animal”

Animal Protection Laws of Texas
The Animal Protection Laws of Texas compendium contains the general animal protection and related statutes for Texas with an effective date on or before September 1, 2021.
Active Legislation
Active Cases

Challenging Tiger Creek for Violating the Endangered Species Act

Defending Our Rights Under the Texas Anti-SLAPP Statute
Recent Victories

Ag-Gag (Texas)

Animal Possession Ban (Texas)

Fighting to Bring Kristen Lindsey to Justice

Lucky the Lonely Elephant
Take Action
Take action now to help animals in your state.

Stop Ag-Gag Laws

No More Puppy Mills

Using Local Legislation to Protect Animals

Using Local Legislation to Protect Animals: Prohibiting Circuses and Traveling Shows that Exploit Animals

Using Local Legislation to Protect Animals: Fur Bans
Animal Legal Defense Fund 2021 State Animal Protection Laws Ranking Report
See the best and worst states for animal protection laws