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Animal Control

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The College Station Animal Control Unit helps to ensure that our community enjoys a high quality of life by enforcing laws that protect citizens from dangerous and domestic animals from abuse and neglect. We investigate a wide range of complaints, including barking dogs, animal bites, and animal abuse complaints. Animals may be impounded and quarantined when appropriate to address safety and health concerns. Animal Control Officers may issue citations for violations of City Ordinance or state law. By working to help the public have a thorough understanding of and compliance with these laws, we promote the safety and well-being of animals and improve relations between animal owners and the general public.

    Brazos County Tag / Pet License (required by law)

    All dogs, cats and ferrets must be license tagged in Brazos County and rabies vaccinated. This is required by law. Animal Control officers can give citations for no tag. 

    A county tag provides a 24-hour hotline for lost and found pets, trauma support for up to $500, ride to vet for found/injured pets, annual reminders to renew Rabies vaccine, reduced impoundment fee and helps fund our local shelter. 

    Brazos County License tags are $15 and can be purchased through your local vet or through the Aggieland Humane Society: (979) 775-5755.

    Nuisance Animal Complaints

    According to College Station City Ordinance, an animal shall be considered a nuisance if it damages, soils, defiles or defecates on private property other than the owner's or on public areas, unless such waste is immediately removed and disposed of; causes unsanitary,dangerous or offensive conditions; creates a disturbance by excessive barking or other animal noise which would offend a person of ordinary sensibilities under the same or similar circumstances; or chases, molests, attacks or interferes with persons or other domestic animals on public property or the private property of others.

    Animal Control Officers are responsible for responding to emergencies, nuisances and threats concerning animals and fowl within the city limits. You can contact them at (979) 764-3600.

    Other circumstances for which animal control should be contacted:

    • All dog and cat bites.
    • "High risk" animal bites by those animals which have a high probability of transmitting rabies; they include skunks, bats, foxes and raccoons.
    • "Other" animal bites (other than a dog or cat) that are not classified as "high risk"
    • Suspected animal abuse.

    * The Animal Control Unit is not a pest control service. Please call a professional service company for mice or insects. 

IMPOUNDED ANIMALS OR BRAZOS COUNTY PET TAGS

Aggieland Humane Society
(979) 775-5755

WILDLIFE INFORMATION & CONTROL METHODS

Call Animal Control at 979.764.3600 to report any animal bites, including from wildlife.

Direct contact with wildlife should be avoided at all times. For trapping and removal of nuisance wildlife, please contact a professional pest control service.

>> Wildlife Rehabilitators in Texas
>> Abandoned Wildlife: Facts and Resources for Texans

The below information was provided by Texas A&M Agrilife Extension.
    Armadillos
    Armadillos are active primarily from twilight through early morning hours in the summer. In the winter, they may be active only during the day. Armadillos are burrowing animals. Their burrows are usually 7-8 inches in diameter and up to 15 feet in length. Burrows are most commonly located in rock piles or around stumps, brush piles, etc. Armadillos dig a number of burrows within an area to use for escape.

    More than 90 percent of the armadillo’s diet is insect matter. They also feed on earthworms, scorpions, spiders and other invertebrates, as well as on small amounts of fruit and vegetable matter such as berries and tender roots.

    CONTROL METHODS
    Most of the damage that armadillos cause is a result of their digging for insects and other invertebrates in the soil. Insecticides can be used to make the area less attractive to armadillos. Once their food source is eliminated, they will usually go elsewhere to search for food. However, before leaving the area, the armadillos may increase their digging in search of food, thereby increasing the damage to turf or garden areas. 
    Bats
    In urban areas, bats may become a nuisance because of their squeaking, scratching and crawling in attics, walls, chimneys or other structures. Their droppings and urine create an objectionable odor and, in some cases, can present a health threat. In addition, bats can also carry rabies. Although the incidence of rabies is low compared to the total population, the disease can be transmitted very quickly within a colony.

    Normally, bats are not aggressive and rarely attack people. Most bites occur when people or pets pick up sick or dying bats that have fallen to the ground. Bats are a primary source of rabies in Texas. Human and domestic pet contact with bats should be avoided. Report any bites or possible bites to College Station Animal Control at 979.764.3600.


    CONTROL METHODS
    The best way to discourage bats from roosting in houses or other buildings is to close all openings through which they enter the structure. Bats may enter buildings through unprotected chimneys, louvers or vents, broken windows, eaves, loose flashing and other places. Bats can crawl through openings as narrow as 3 ⁄8 inch, so you will need to inspect carefully to locate all possible entrances.

    Exclusion methods should be used for at least 5 to 7 days before any bat proofing begins so that bats have time to leave the structure. The best time for bat proofing is in the fall after the bats have left for the winter. Because very young bats (pups) do not fly and remain in the roost area until they are older, any exclusion or repairs made from May through August may trap the pups inside the structure.
    Feral Hogs
    Sightings and complaints should be reported to the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department.
    Opossums
    Opossums are omnivores and eat a wide variety of foods. Their primary food is animal matter such as insects, earthworms, small rodents, snakes, snails, birds and frogs, but they also eat many kinds of fruits, berries and vegetables. In urban areas they may eat pet food, fruit on trees, pecans, seeds in bird feeders and garbage in trash cans.

    CONTROL METHODS
    Where opossums are causing damage or creating a nuisance, several things can be done to discourage them. Lids should be kept on trash cans; pets should be fed in the morning and all leftovers cleaned up immediately; and water bowls should be emptied or taken in at night. Attic and foundation vents should be screened to discourage opossums from taking up residence in and around the home. Bird feeders should be placed on tall, metal poles and away from trees.
    Raccoons
    Raccoons are opportunistic feeders, taking whatever is available. Fruits, berries, acorns, insects, fish, mollusks, grasshoppers, mice, birds, snakes, eggs and crayfish make up the bulk of their diet.

    Raccoons are intelligent and can adapt readily to living in close association with people. They are very common in urban areas, but since most of their foraging is done at night, they often go undetected. In urban communities, raccoons live virtually any place that offers protection. The most common sites are in attics and chimneys, or under houses and wood piles. Since raccoons are omnivorous, there is a wide variety of food available to them in urban areas. Dog and cat food, fruit trees, vegetables in home gardens, and trash can garbage supply an easy meal.

    CONTROL METHODS
    Where raccoons are a problem, several things can be done to discourage them. Screen chimneys and attic and foundation vents to prevent animals from getting in or under the house. Reducing the food and water supply also helps to discourage raccoons. Feed pets in the morning and clean up all leftovers. Empty water bowls at night or place them out of the raccoons’ reach. Take bird feeders in at night or place them on tall poles and away from trees.

    Ordinary fencing does not keep raccoons out of gardens or poultry houses. If they cannot go under or through a fence, they climb over. However, raccoons and most other small animals may be repelled by adding a single electrified wire strand to a fence. Place the wire 8 inches from the fence and 8 inches above the ground.
    Skunks
    Skunks are primarily nocturnal, preferring to hunt at night for grubs, insects, small rodents, carrion, fruit, berries, unripened corn, mushrooms and other food items. Skunks like poultry and eggs and, when circumstances permit, raid chicken houses and poultry yards. In urban areas, they feed on pet food, garbage, fruit that has fallen from trees, and garden vegetables. Skunks use any sheltered place as a den including abandoned armadillo burrows, predator dens, areas under houses, unused buildings, barns and even, on rare occasions, attics of buildings.

    CONTROL METHODS
    When skunks are living or rearing young under buildings, attempts to destroy them may result in the release of their noxious scent. Before attempting removal, sprinkle a liberal amount of flour or a similar substance in and around the entrance. After dark, check for tracks to determine which openings they used as exits and the number of skunks involved. When the animals have left, close all possible entrances with sheet metal or hardware cloth to avoid reentry.

    Fencing usually keeps skunks out of the yard; however, they will sometimes dig under. To prevent burrowing beneath a fence, bury a 30-inch piece of hardware cloth so it extends 12 inches below the surface and 18 inches outward at that depth. Remove unused pet food and water bowls at night and keep lids on trash cans to aid in discouraging skunks.

    DISEASE TRANSMISSION
    Skunks are a primary source of rabies in Texas. Human and domestic pet contact with skunks should be avoided. Report any bites or possible bites to College Station Animal Control at 979-764-3600.

    ODOR CONTROL
    A skunk’s odor on pets, clothing, under buildings, etc., may be neutralized by the liberal use of a commercial deodorizer. Vinegar, tomato juice, or a weak solution of household ammonia can help remove the odor from clothing. Use lime to deodorize the soil. A few drops of oil of wintergreen on pieces of corrugated cardboard or cotton balls also helps mask the offensive odor.
    Snakes
    There are many different kinds of snakes in Texas, but only rattlesnakes (Crotalus spp.), copperheads (Agkistrodon contortrix), cottonmouths (Agkistrodon piscivorus) and coral snakes (Micrurus spp.) are venomous and should be avoided. Snakes are very specialized animals and have an important role in our environment. Most snakes are non-venomous and help control rodent, insect, and amphibian populations. Like other reptiles, snakes are cold-blooded animals; their body temperature is regulated by climatic conditions. Snakes cannot tolerate extreme cold and will normally hibernate during the winter months, usually emerging from their dens in late February or early March. Snakes are most active at night and during early morning and late evening hours.

    CONTROL METHODS
    If the presence of snakes is undesirable, removing their shelter is one of the most effective ways of discouraging them. Eliminating rock piles, brush piles, tall grass, etc., will cause snakes to seek a more suitable habitat. Lumber, wood piles and other debris around the home should be stored at least 18 inches off the ground. Controlling insect and rodent populations in the area also will help to discourage snakes by eliminating their food supply.


RESOURCES & DOCUMENTS

Contact Information

Animal ControlFor Emergencies: Dial 911(979) 764-3600
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