ByHow to Deal With Animal Control Issues in Harlingen, Texas
Just about everyone loves having a pet dog or other animal around to enjoy. However, some people have animals that are difficult to control and end up causing harm to others they run into. In fact, over 4 million dog bites occur each year, resulting in medical needs for at least 800,000 people. If someone's pet has harmed you, you should contact the , Texas, to make sure you get the help you need.
About Harlingen Animal Control
In Harlingen, Texas, the Animal Control center is run by four animal control officers – one senior and three under their direction. Each officer is dedicated to helping pet owners responsibly manage their pets by following the rules set in place by the city of Harlingen. The offers several key services:
- Impoundment of stray dogs and cats.
- Impoundment of vicious animals or animals involved in biting incidents.
- Investigation of animal cruelty cases.
- Investigation of bee call complaints.
- Removal of dead animals.
Once a year, the Animal Control in Harlingen offers cheap rabies services so that pet owners can get their animals vaccinated at a much lower cost. Their primary mission, defined in their mission statement, is to: "Promote responsible pet ownership through education and enforcement of the City's Animal Control Ordinances."
If you have any concerns about others not properly caring for their pets or treating them with unnecessary cruelty, you can get in touch with the Harlingen Animal Control Department.
Harlingen Humane Society
Closely related to the Animal Control Department, the Harlingen Humane Society also provides multiple services to stray or needy pets in Harlingen. These services include:
- Adoption
- Foster care
- Shelter
- Cheap vaccination and animal wellness
- A pet food and supply pantry
- City licenses
- Nail-trimming
- Microchipping
Harlingen Animal Control and Humane Society Hours, Location, and Contact Information
If you need to report an animal bit or other concerns about animal control in Harlingen, there are several ways to get in touch with the Harlingen Animal Control Department and the related Humane Society.
| Address | Humane Society 1106 Markowsky, Harlingen, Texas 78550 |
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| Saturday and Sunday Emergency (Animal Control): sharvill@myharlingen.us | |
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Harlingen, Texas Dog Bite Laws
In Harlingen, Texas, the dog bite laws are strict. Several laws govern the proper care of dog bite situations in Harlingen.
- Allowing your pet dog or cat to bite someone is considered an offense.
- Animal Control must impound any animal seen biting another person.
- Any biting dog suspected of having rabies must be held by the Environmental Health Department for a ten-day evaluation. If infected, they will be disposed of.
- A biting and presumed vicious dog shall be tried before the Municipal Court. The dog may be terminated, or the owner may purchase liability insurance to keep the dog.
Within 30 days of learning that their dog is dangerous, a Texas dog owner must report the dog to animal control, restrain the dog on a leash or in a secure closure at all times, and purchase liability insurance covering at least $100,000. Otherwise, they must surrender their dog to the Animal Control Department.
Can You Send Demand Letters To for a Dog Bite in Harlingen?
In Texas, dog owners must follow steps to prevent their dog from biting anyone. If they didn't know their dog was vicious before the dog bit someone, the law allows time to get the dog under control. However, once they know, they are responsible for any further bites by the dog.
If you were bitten by a dog in Harlingen, you can likely send demand letters to the dog owner for personal injury and request that they compensate you for the cost of your injury and the medical care you had to pay for following the bite.
What to Do if You Are Bitten by a Dog in Harlingen
If you've been bitten by a dog in Harlingen, call Animal Control at (956) 216-5220 or (956) 216-5940 on the weekend. The Animal Control Department will send an officer to address the situation and take the dog into custody. If the dog has an owner, exchange contact information and insurance information, if applicable.
Next, seek medical attention to make sure you don't get an infection or disease from your bite. Then, if you want to receive compensation for your injury, you should contact a personal injury lawyer local to Harlingen who can help you file a complaint against the dog's owner.
How to Report a Dog Bite Incident With DoNotPay
If you can't find a lawyer or don't want to call the Harlingen Animal Control, there is an easier way to report a dog biting incident. With DoNotPay, you can report the incident immediately and our professional staff will ensure that you get in touch with the right people to receive compensation for your injury. To get started, follow these simple steps:
- Search "animal" on DoNotPay, find the Animal Control product, and select whether you've sustained a physical injury.
- Select whether you would like to report this incident to your local government agency, or demand compensation from the pet owner.
- Tell us more about the incident, including when and where you were injured, a description of the animal that caused the injury, and the contact information for the pet owner (if known).
And that's it! DoNotPay will file your report with the proper authorities in Harlingen, and you'll hear back from them directly with the next steps.
How DoNotPay Can Help You
No matter what issue you're facing, DoNotPay wants to help you. We offer a variety of other services, including:
- Finding compensation after a crime has been committed against you
- Contacting government officials
- Filing complaints against your neighbors (and their pets)
- Suing anyone in small claims court
If you need help getting in touch with Animal Control in Harlingen or dealing with other matters, with DoNotPay and see how we can help!