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1. What are my options if I am issued a citation?

When you receive a citation, you may contest a citation, request a deferred disposition if you are eligible, or pay your violation. You may view the Municipal Court procedures by visiting this link.

The options to take care of your citations are as follows:

• Contesting a Ticket
• Deferred Disposition
• Payment Information

2. Where can I find laws for Animal violations?

You may find laws regarding animal control violations in a few different locations.  

City limits:

For violations within the city limits, you may pull up the Municode by clicking here.

Outside city limits:

For violations outside of  city limits, you may view the violations by clicking here.

State laws:

The city and county ordinances are determined through state law and can be found clicking here.

3. How do I report a dog bite or attack?

Victoria County Animal Control responds to incidents regarding dog bites or viscious animals.  

During business hours:

To report an incident, you may contact Victoria County Animal Control at (361) 578-3564 during their operating hours which are Monday-Thursday from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm and Friday from 8:00 am to 3:00 pm. 

After hours:

If you are reporting an incident after hours, on weekends, or holidays, you may contact the Victoria Police Department for incidents occuring within city limits at (361) 573-3221 or the Victoria County Sheriff’s Office for incidents outside of city limits at (361) 575-0651.

4. What happens if I received a citation and I am not the owner of the pet or animal?

Contesting a Citation

You have a right to a jury trial, unless you waive that right and request a trial by judge. By setting your case for trial, you are giving up your right to require that your case be dismissed through a mandatory Driving Safety Course. If you wish to receive a trial, appear in person at the City of Victoria Municipal Court, submit your request electronically through this form, or print out the Plea of Not Guilty Form (PDF) and submit your request by mail:

City of Victoria Municipal Court
P.O. Box 1758
Victoria, Texas 77902

Paying a Citation

If you are not wanting to contest your citation, you are eligble to pay your citation in full through this payment portal here or you may contact the court for further information. Please call the Municipal Court at (361) 485-3050 or by e-mail at courtclerk@victoriatx.gov.

5. What all can animal control respond to?

Animal Control responds to a variety of concerns. Some of the concerns are listed below:

• Abuse/Abandoned/Neglect/Cruelty to animals
• Aggressive animals
• Animals trapped in live traps
• Animals in vehicles
• Animal bites
• Assist Police Officers
• Barking dogs
• Dead animals
• Loose dogs
• Loose livestock
• Report of wild animals such as bats, raccoons, skunk, or snakes inside business establishment or residential area
• Request for immediate euthanasia of ill or injured animals
• Surrender of animals

For information regarding any of the above concerns, please contact Victoria County Animal Control at (361) 578-3564. 

6. How will I be notified if I am issued a citation?

Victoria County Animal Control and Victoria Police Department have the ability to enforce animal control violations. Citations may be issued to the pet owner or another person who is taking custody of the animal.

You may be issued a citation at the location, it may be mailed to your address, or it may be issued when picking up the animal from Victoria County Animal Control.

When the citation is filed, the court will send a summons in the mail via certified mail and regular mail notifying you of a court date and time for you to appear.

7. Where do I get a copy of a Police Report from a dog bite or incident that occurred within city limits?

You may request a copy of a police report or event report at the Records Department of the Victoria Police Department. Their office is located in City Hall at 105 W. Juan Linn Street in Victoria Texas. You may contact them at (361) 485-3700 or by e-mail at policerecords@victoriatx.gov. You may also file a request for information by clicking on this link. 

8. Who does Animal Control report to?

Victoria County Animal Control is a division of the Victoria County Public Health Department.  The Victoria County operates under the Victoria County Commissioners’ Court. The Victoria County Public Health Department information can be found by clicking on this link. The contact information for the Victoria County Commissioners’ Court can be found by clicking on this link.

9. I contacted Victoria County Animal Control and they are not able to issue a citation. What are my other options?

If your concern is an issue related to a city ordinance or state law violation, you may file a citizens complaint with the City of Victoria Municipal Court. The document needed to file the citizens complaint can be found by clicking on this link. You may also call the Victoria Police Department at (361) 573-3221 for an incident occurring within the city limits or the Victoria County Sheriff’s Office at (361) 575-0651 for violations occurring outside of city limits.

If you are wanting to file a report of a dangerous dog or a serious bodily injury case, you may file an affidavit with the Court by clicking this link.

If you are seeking damages or restitution for an incident that occurred due to an animal, you may contact the Justice of the Peace courts for information regarding filing a small claims. Information for that can be found by clicking this link.