Animal Control emphasizes public education and result in increased levels of personal, pet, and community health and well-being.
The City of DeSoto Animal Control Officers are here to serve our community. They are dedicated, compassionate, and experts in animal handling and behavior to provide the best animal control service possible. Our Officers will enforce laws concerning the care and treatment of animals, protect and rescue domesticated animals, and maintain public health standards.
Staffing
Animal Control Officers respond to many calls for service daily, and are available Monday to Friday from 8am–8pm, Saturday from 9am-6pm and Emergency only on Sundays.
Complaints
Contact the Action Center at 972.274.CITY for animal-related complaints. If you have a non-emergency question, and would like to speak with an Animal Control Officer, their office number is 972-230-5703
Citizens should call 911 for all emergencies
Animal Shelter
When animals are picked up by animal control, they are taken to the Tri-City Animal Shelter located at 1150 E. Pleasant Run in Cedar Hill. The shelter's hours of operation are Tuesday through Saturday, 10 am.- 6 pm. Their phone number is 972.291.5335. The Tri-City Animal Shelter houses animals from DeSoto, Duncanville and Cedar Hill.
- It shall be unlawful for any person who owns, possesses, keeps or harbors any animal other than a domestic cat, to suffer or permit such animal to run at-large.
- All dogs must be restrained at all times, either on a leash, chain or cable, or inside a fence or resident's home. It is illegal to let your dog loose to roam the neighborhood. If impounded, microchipping for dogs is required.
- Dogs and cats in DeSoto are required to have current rabies tags attached to their collar at all times. Our animal control officers will ask for proof if the date on your pet's tag dates back more than one year.
- If you have a pet you no longer want, you must take it to the Tri-City Animal Shelter to surrender it so that you may supply critical information to shelter staff regarding your pet. Animal Control does not pick up owner release animals.
- Animal Control must be contacted regarding any bite from any animal in which the skin is broken. Animals may need to be quarantined for a period of time for observation to ensure the animal does not have rabies.
- Contact Animal Control for nuisance complaints regarding continuous barking or other noises relating to animals.
- Contact Animal Control if you suspect cruelty. All animals must have food, water and shelter at all times.
- Do not attempt to confront or feed any wild animals you may encounter (snakes, coyotes, raccoons, bobcats, skunks, foxes, etc.). Call Animal Control if you have concerns or questions.
- Special conditions apply to the keeping of livestock (horses, cows, goats and sheep.) There must be 5,000 square feet allotted per animal, and animals may not be kept closer than 150 ft. to another person's living quarters.
