Animal Control

Please note that the City of El Lago does not have an official animal shelter and our services are very limited. However, we do assist homeowners with certain services such as renting live traps for small wild animals, the removal of the trapped small wild animals and short-term kenneling of lost pets. Additionally, El Lago does have numerous laws regarding animals in the city, some of which are summarized on this page.

For more information, please go to the full City Code of Ordinances, and see Chapter 3, Articles I and II.

El Lago Animal Control Refresher (PDF)

Clear Lake Area Urban Coyote Resources

Barking Dogs

Noise ordinances, which are enforced by the Lakeview Police Department, specify that dogs may not be a nuisance through continued or excessive barking, owners may be cited for failure to quiet their animal. If you are disturbed by a neighbor's barking dog, please contact the Lakeview Police Dispatch by calling 281-326-5900 to have an officer come to the location.

The officer must witness the nuisance by hearing the dog bark before a citation can be issued. Please do not file a complaint with the city as nothing can be done unless the officer hears the dog barking.

Leash Law in the City of El Lago

All domestic animals (dogs and cats) outside of a fenced enclosure are required by law to be on a leash. Please remember that not all residents are animal lovers. Some have severe allergies, are frightened by unknown animals and are frustrated when their yard is used as a litter box.

Any roaming animal (this includes cats) subjects its owner to an "animal-at-large" citation by the Lakeview Police Department.

Pet Licenses

All dogs and cats are required to have an annual El Lago pet license. To obtain a license, please bring a current copy of your pet's rabies vaccination record to City Hall. For multiple year rabies vaccinations, a license may be obtained for as many years as the vaccination is valid. Each license is $5 annually.