Bitten by a dog in McAllen: who to call, the leash law and finding a dog bite lawyer

Last checked November 8, 2026

In McAllen, report a dog bite to Animal Care Services at (956) 681-1919.1 City code says anyone who knows of a bite that could carry rabies must report it to the police chief, and the dog must be confined at least ten days.23 You generally have 2 years to sue.4

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Road map of McAllen, where city code makes it unlawful to let a dog run at large
McAllen dog bite? Call Animal Care Services at (956) 681-1919. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.

What should you do right after a dog bite in McAllen?

  1. Wash the wound well and get medical care. A bite on the face or hand, or one that is deep, should be seen the same day. For a severe attack, DHR Health and South Texas Health System McAllen run Level I trauma centers.56
  2. Ask whose dog it is. Get the owner's name, address and phone number, and whether the dog has its rabies shots.
  3. Report the bite. Animal Care Services is at (956) 681-1919, Monday to Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.1 A standby officer covers weekend emergencies.1 For anything urgent after hours, call police at (956) 681-2000.7
  4. Take photos of the wound today and as it heals. Photograph the place where it happened, including any open gate or broken fence.
  5. Keep your bills, and a list of any days of work you missed.

Who takes a dog bite report in McAllen?

Under McAllen's code, a person who knows of a bite or scratch that could carry rabies has to report it to the chief of police.2 In practice, the city's Animal Care Services page tells people to report to that department, and it says the report must include the name and address of the victim or animal.8 So give both your details and the dog's location if you know it.

If you were bitten outside city limits, such as in a colonia in the county, you may be dealing with Hidalgo County instead. The Sheriff's Office is at (956) 383-8114.9 We could not confirm which county office takes bite reports in each area, so start with the Sheriff's Office and ask.

What happens to the dog after a bite in McAllen?

The owner is told to confine the animal for at least ten days from the date of the bite.3 City code goes further than many places: the animal may not stay at the owner's home unless a veterinarian's written evaluation of its safety goes to the chief of police.10

That rabies process is about public health. It is not your money claim, and it does not decide who owes you for your injury. If a report is closed, you can still look into a civil claim.

McAllen has also adopted the state's dangerous dog law as part of its own city code.11 A vicious animal kept outdoors must be in an enclosed and locked kennel.12 If you know this dog attacked someone before, say so in your report.

Is there a leash law in McAllen?

Yes. It is unlawful to let any dog run at large in the city.13 A dog is not running at large when it is on a leash held by a competent person, and a fixed leash can be no longer than 12 feet.14 The city says a dog that is off its owner's property and not on a leash will be picked up and impounded.15

A leash violation does not automatically mean the owner has to pay you. It can help show the owner was careless, so write down where the dog was, whether it had a leash, and who was holding it.

When does a dog owner have to pay in McAllen?

Texas does not have one simple statute that says when an owner must pay a bite victim. Chapter 822 covers seizing dogs and criminal charges, and it does not say when an owner must pay an injured person, so a claim comes from other Texas law.16 A claim usually turns on whether the owner knew the dog was dangerous, or was careless in keeping it.

SituationWhat it can mean
The dog had been found dangerousThe owner must carry at least $100,000 in coverage or show they can pay it17
An owner negligently left the dog unsecured, and it seriously hurt someone away from the owner's propertyThe owner can face criminal charges18
The dog caused death or serious injuryAnyone can ask a court, by sworn complaint, to have it seized19
You were more than 50 percent at faultYou cannot recover money20

Many bite claims are paid by homeowner or renter insurance. Ask the owner which company they use. Do not give a recorded statement until you know how your injury will heal.

How long do you have for a dog bite claim in McAllen?

Generally two years from when your claim arises.4 For a child, the clock usually waits until age 18,21 but evidence fades, so report it now. Children are often bitten near the face, and a scar can change as they grow, so ask the doctor about follow-up visits.

If a dog at a city facility or a police dog was involved, a shorter notice rule may apply. State law allows up to six months, and a city rule can set less.22 We could not confirm a shorter McAllen period, so ask the city. Risk Management's number is (956) 681-1410.23

When should you call a dog bite lawyer in McAllen?

  • The bite needed stitches or surgery, or left a scar.
  • There is infection or nerve damage.
  • The owner will not give you their name or insurer.
  • The dog had attacked before, or it was running loose.
  • The bite happened at work, so workers' compensation may also matter.24

Questions

Who do I call about a dog bite in McAllen?

Animal Care Services at (956) 681-1919.1

How long is a dog quarantined after a bite in McAllen?

At least ten days from the date of the bite.3

Does McAllen have a leash law?

Yes. It is unlawful to let any dog run at large in the city.13

How long do I have to sue over a dog bite in Texas?

Generally two years.4

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McAllen

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Texas

Sources

  1. City of McAllen, Animal Care Services, checked 2026-11-08. “Monday - Friday 7:30 AM - 4:30 PM (956) 681-1919”
  2. City of McAllen Code, Ch. 14, Art. I, Animals, checked 2026-11-08. “shall report the incident or animal to the chief of police”
  3. City of McAllen, Animal Care Services, checked 2026-11-08. “The animal will then be confined for a period of not less than ten days from the date of such att”
  4. Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 16.003(a), checked 2026-11-08. “personal injury, forcible entry and detainer, and forcible detainer not later than two years after the day the cause of action accrues.”
  5. South Texas Health System McAllen, Trauma Care, checked 2026-11-08. “South Texas Health System McAllen is an ACS-verified Level I Trauma Center”
  6. DHR Health, Level I Trauma Center, checked 2026-11-08. “The DHR Health Level 1 Trauma Center provides the highest level of trauma care available”
  7. City of McAllen Risk Management, Submit a Claim, checked 2026-11-08. “Non-Emergency Police: (956) 681-2000”
  8. City of McAllen, Animal Care Services, checked 2026-11-08. “All animals suspected of having contracted rabies shall be reported to this department. If the animal was involved in a scratch or bite, the report shall contain the name and address of the victim or animal.”
  9. Hidalgo County Sheriff’s Office, checked 2026-11-08. “711 El Cibolo Rd.”
  10. City of McAllen Code, Ch. 14, Art. I, Animals, checked 2026-11-08. “In no event shall any animal which is the subject of this section be allowed to remain at the owner's home unless a written evaluation by a licensed veterinarian, establishing the animal's safety, is submitted to the chief of police.”
  11. City of McAllen Code, Ch. 14, Art. III, Vicious Animals, checked 2026-11-08. “Section 822 of the Texas Health and Safety Code, as it may be amended by state law, is hereby adopted for the city”
  12. City of McAllen Code, Ch. 14, Art. II, Dogs and Cats, checked 2026-11-08. “If outdoors, the vicious animal shall be confined in an enclosed and locked kennel.”
  13. City of McAllen Code, Ch. 14, Art. II, Dogs and Cats, checked 2026-11-08. “It shall be unlawful to allow any dog to run at large within the city.”
  14. City of McAllen Code, Ch. 14, Art. I, Animals, checked 2026-11-08. “When controlled by a leash held by a competent person a dog shall not be deemed to be running at large. Fixed length leashes shall not exceed 12 feet in length.”
  15. City of McAllen, Animal Care Services, checked 2026-11-08. “will be picked up and impounded”
  16. Tex. Health & Safety Code ch. 822, subch. A, checked 2026-11-08. “SUBCHAPTER A. GENERAL PROVISIONS; DOGS THAT ATTACK PERSONS OR ARE A DANGER TO PERSONS”
  17. Tex. Health & Safety Code § 822.042(a)(3), checked 2026-11-08. “obtain liability insurance coverage or show financial responsibility in an amount of at least $100,000 to cover damages resulting from an attack by the dangerous dog causing bodily injury to a person”
  18. Tex. Health & Safety Code § 822.005(a)(1), checked 2026-11-08. “with criminal negligence, as defined by Section 6.03, Penal Code, fails to secure the dog and the dog makes an unprovoked attack on another person that occurs at a location other than the owner's real property or in or on the owner's motor vehicle or boat and that causes serious bodily injury, as defined by Section 1.07, Penal Code, or death to the other person;”
  19. Tex. Health & Safety Code § 822.002(a), checked 2026-11-08. “on the sworn complaint of any person, including the county attorney, the city attorney, or a peace officer, that the dog has caused the death of or serious bodily injury to a person by attacking, biting, or mauling the person;”
  20. Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 33.001, checked 2026-11-08. “a claimant may not recover damages if his percentage of responsibility is greater than 50 percent”
  21. Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 16.001, checked 2026-11-08. “the time of the disability is not included in a limitations period”
  22. Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 101.101, checked 2026-11-08. “not later than six months after the day that the incident giving rise to the claim occurred”
  23. City of McAllen, Risk Management, checked 2026-11-08. “1300 Houston Ave. City Hall - 1st Floor McAllen, TX 78501 (956)681-1410”
  24. Tex. Lab. Code § 417.001(a), checked 2026-11-08. “An employee or legal beneficiary may seek damages from a third party who is or becomes liable to pay damages for an injury or death that is compensable under this subtitle and may also pursue a claim for workers' compensation benefits under this subtitle.”

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