16/06/2025
In Texas, it is illegal to intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly kill a cat, including stray and feral cats, under the state's Animal Anti-Cruelty Law (Texas Penal Code 42.09 and 42.092). This law prohibits acts such as torturing, cruelly killing, or causing serious injury to any cat. If you suspect cruelty or neglect, there are several sites where this can be reported and investigated. One is https://spca.org/resources/help-animals/animal-cruelty-laws/
In Texas, it is illegal to intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly kill a cat, including stray and feral cats, under the state's Animal Anti-Cruelty Law (Texas Penal Code 42.09 and 42.092). This law prohibits acts such as torturing, cruelly killing, or causing serious injury to any cat without the owner's consent.
Additionally, Texas has recently passed legislation (HB 3660) protecting trap-neuter-release (TNR) programs, which allow for the humane management of feral cat populations by capturing, sterilizing, and then releasing them back into the wild.
Source: Conversation with Copilot, 9/19/2024
(1) Is it illegal to kill a feral cat in Texas? โ Michael Broad - PoC. https://pictures-of-cats.org/is-it-illegal-to-kill-a-feral-cat-in-texas.html.
(2) Is It Illegal to Trap and Kill Cats in Texas? - 101.9 The Bull. https://thebullamarillo.com/trapping-and-killing-cats-texas/.
(3) Texas Penal Code 42.092 - Cruelty to Nonlivestock Animals - Trey Porter Law. https://www.dwilawyerstexas.com/tx-penal-code-42-092-cruelty-to-nonlivestock-animals/.
(4) Trap-neuter-release programs for cats are now legally protected in Texas. https://www.texasstandard.org/stories/trap-neuter-release-law-tnr-cats-texas/.
(5) Texas legalizes statewide trap-neuter-return programs for cats. https://www.kxan.com/news/texas/texas-legalizes-statewide-trap-neuter-return-programs-for-cats/.