How Animal Control Operates in Mcallen, Texas

McAllen Animal Control operates as a division of the McAllen Police Department and enforces local and state animal laws and ordinances. Residents should report a dog bite through Animal Control during office hours or contact the police at 911 should the attack be severe and constitute an ongoing threat.

McAllen does not have any ordinances imposing liability on dog owners regarding a vicious attack or bite. The city relies on Texas dog bite regulations, which are relatively lax, meaning to get reimbursed for medical expenses from a dog attack, you might be forced into suing the owner. DoNotPay can help you get compensation by avoiding a drawn-out court case and expensive attorney fees.

About McAllen Animal Control

As a division of the police department, McAllen Animal Control is primarily responsible for enforcing the city's animal ordinances and ensuring the welfare of animals within the city limits. Among the services performed by Animal Control are:

• Lost and found: Animal Control collects found pets and houses the animals through the Palm Valley Animal Society.
• Complaints: Animal Control responds to barking dogs, pets roaming free, and animal welfare checks.

McAllen Animal Control Location, Hours, and Contact Details

McAllen Dog Bite Laws

McAllen has rabies and vicious dog clauses in its city ordinances that require reporting to the department. However, the regulations do not assess any liability to owners in the event of a vicious animal attack or dog bite. Rather, McAllen bows to Texas laws that put the onus of proof on the victim. The victim must prove that the owner:

• Knew or reasonably should have known that the animal had previously attacked a person or another animal or could have expected the animal to attack.
• Did not take reasonable action to prevent the attack.

McAllen's vicious animal ordinance does allow the city to declare an animal to be hostile and subject to regulation after an attack but does not address compensation for victims.

Can You Sue Someone for Dog Bites?

Because McAllen and Texas animal control ordinances do not address compensation for a dog bite or attack victims, turning to the courts might be the only outlet to seek reimbursement for medical expenses. You might try to get compensation by yourself, but you have a greater chance of success with an experienced dog bite attorney.

How to Get Repaid for Expenses From a Dog Bite in McAllen by Yourself

After being bitten by a dog in McAllen, you should report the incident immediately to Animal Control or the McAllen police. A report serves as an essential piece of evidence when you seek to get paid for medical expenses. Report the incident by calling Animal Control at 956-681-2124 or after hours 956-681-2000.

Ways you can try to be reimbursed for medical expenses include:

1. Speak directly to the dog owner to ask for repayment. The owner might be willing to accept responsibility to avoid a lawsuit.
2. Contact the dog owner's insurance company to learn about filing a claim. This process will take a great deal of time because insurance companies work when they work at all.
3. File a small claims case through the Hidalgo County Justice of the Peace. Small claims cases typically are scheduled within a few weeks and settled quickly, though the court has no authority to compel payment in Texas.
4. File a civil lawsuit through the Hidalgo County District Courts. You will have higher up-front costs in a civil case as you must pay filing fees and attorney's fees, which could be repaid if you win the lawsuit. A civil lawsuit can drag on months.

You will be looking at a timeframe for getting paid off days, if the owner agrees to pay, to months if you try to work with the insurance company or opt to file a civil lawsuit.

How DoNotPay Helps You Get Paid for Dog Bite Injuries

If you would like to report a dog bite incident to McAllen Animal Control and seek repayment for injuries or damages, DoNotPay can take care of the entire process. You can avoid the red tape of resolving the issue yourself or the extra expense of hiring an expensive attorney. All you need to do is provide the essential information to DoNotPay, and we take care of the rest of it.

How to report an animal-related incident with DoNotPay:

If you want to report an animal-related injury but don't know where to start, DoNotPay has you covered in 3 easy steps:

1. Search "animal" on DoNotPay, find the Animal Control product, and select whether you've sustained a physical injury.

    

2. Select whether you would like to report this incident to your local government agency, or demand compensation from the pet owner.

    

3. 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 the demand letter or government report on your behalf with your incident details. You should hear back from them directly with further questions/confirmation regarding your demands.

Why Use DoNotPay to Get Compensation for a Dog Bite or Attack

Your best opportunity at a positive outcome will come when you allow DoNotPay to report your dog bite and arrange compensation. These are the three reasons you'll want to use DoNotPay:

• Fast—You don't have to spend hours trying to report the attack and get paid.
• Easy—You don't have to struggle to fill out tedious forms or keep track of all the steps involved in solving your problem.
• Successful—You can rest assured knowing we'll make the best case for you to get paid for your medical expenses quickly.

DoNotPay Helps With Dog Bite Issues Across the Nation

DoNotPay can help you or your family and friends report vicious animal attacks in cities, counties, and states across the country. Among the places DoNotPay will help get compensation are:

• Miami
• Los Angeles
• Atlanta
• Texas
• Pennsylvania
• Ohio
• California

If you, a friend or family member, have suffered a dog bite or other vicious animal attack, you deserve compensation for medical expenses. Sign up for DoNotPay or get the app and start the compensation process today.