Possession prohibited.
Houston Code of Ordinances § 6-52
in effectSec. 6-52. - Possession prohibited.
(a) It is unlawful for any person to be in possession of a wild animal.
(b) It is unlawful for the owner or other person in possession or control of any property, residence or business premises to knowingly permit any other person to be in possession of a wild animal upon the property, residence or business premises.
(c) As used in this section, the term 'to be in possession' includes the harboring or keeping of any wild animal, whether on a temporary or permanent basis and includes, without limitation, holding or keeping the wild animal for the temporary and/or limited purpose of sale or transfer or offering of sale or transfer to another person.
(d) It is an affirmative defense to prosecution under this section that the wild animal is in possession in accordance with all applicable state and federal laws and that:
(1) The wild animal is being kept for treatment in an animal hospital operated by a veterinarian;
(2) The wild animal is being kept at an institution that is accredited by a nationally recognized zoological association;
(3) The wild animal is being kept at a shelter operated by a state or federally recognized humane agency for the purpose of its transfer to a refuge or sanctuary;
(4) The wild animal is being kept for medical research or teaching purposes at a medical school or licensed hospital or by a university or college offering an accredited degree program;
(5) The wild animal is in the possession of an airline, motor freight agency, rail freight agency or other carrier, and its possession in the city is incidental to transportation, provided that the wild animal is secured within a cage or other enclosure that is adequate to prevent its escape;
(6) The wild animal is being kept or transported temporarily for a production in accordance with a permit or registration under section 6-54 of this Code; or
(7) The wild animal is being transported for use in film making and other productions under section 6-58 of this Code.
(Ord. No. 2022-44, § 2(Exh. A), 1-19-2022)
Source: City of Houston, Code of Ordinances and City Charter (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/tx/houston/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=COOR_CH6ANFO_ARTIIIKEWIAN_S6-52POPRFetched: 10/26/2026