# Is It Legal to Own a Pet Tiger in Texas? | Attorney Brian White **Table of Contents***[*Expand*]* 1. Exotic Animal Laws in Texas 2. Why Save Your Tigers for the Zoo 3. Personal Injury Claims from Animal Attacks 4. Contact the Houston Personal Injury Lawyers at Attorney Brian White Personal Injury Lawyers For Help ![Is it Legal to Own a Pet Tiger in Texas?](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/Is-it-Legal-to-Own-a-Pet-Tiger-in-Texas-300x200.jpg) Exotic pets are becoming increasingly popular. Looking for options beyond the classic cat and dog, Texans are seeking companionship from less likely sources: sugar gliders, ferrets, and exotic birds top the list of offbeat pets for owners. Some people look for even grander animals: tigers and bears, for example. Is owning such animals legal? The short answer: yes, but here’s why it’s best to save them for visits to the zoo. ## **Exotic Animal Laws in Texas** Exotic animal ownership laws in [Houston](https://www.houstontx.gov/), [Texas](https://www.texas.gov/) are some of the most lenient in the country. Possession and regulation of exotic animals are controlled by the [Texas Department of Parks and Wildlife](https://tpwd.texas.gov/regulations/outdoor-annual/hunting/nongame-and-other-species). To own a tiger or other large cat in Texas, all you have to do is qualify for a permit. So who is eligible for a permit to own a tiger under Texas law? Just about anyone. To have your permit approved, you must prove you can properly cage and provide for the tiger as a pet. Because of the lack of regulation, there are an estimated 2000 tigers residing in the Lone Star State, meaning the tiger population in Texas is second only to India, where tigers are an indigenous species. Some of these tigers are well kept and cared for, while others are forced to live in deplorable conditions. In our state, it’s possible to buy a tiger for less than a thousand dollars, the same price as some purebred dogs. With regulations so lax, it’s tempting to buy your own personal tiger, but ownership comes with real risks. For a legal consultation call [(713) 500-5000](tel:+17135005000) ## **Why Save Your Tigers for the Zoo** Tigers are wild animals, and since they haven’t been domesticated over several generations like dogs or housecats, they pose a serious threat to humans. Texas police departments have been bogged down with capturing tigers on the run. In [Harris County](https://www.harriscountytx.gov/), police recently had to chase down a pair of Siberian tigers after they escaped from a local yard. Children are especially susceptible to tiger attacks. “You can have 10 adults standing in front of the cage and one small child and the Tigers will not take their eyes off that small child,” said Lewis Rathburn, former police chief in Dallas. “They really see children as prey, not as people.” In a recent incident, a 3-year-old lost his arm when he stuck it into his uncle’s tiger’s cage. It took doctors 10 hours to reattach. Because of the recent rash of incidents, lawmakers are considering overhauls to the current law. Among the provisions on the docket are minimum caging requirements and [liability](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/faqs/whats-liability/) insurance. Hopefully, this will encourage owners to view tigers less as loveable pets, and more like wild animals. ## **Personal Injury Claims from Animal Attacks** Exotic pets like tigers may not be regulated in Texas, but they still pose a threat to the safety of the general public. Wild animals can transmit serious diseases to humans as well as commit serious [bodily](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/blog/the-difference-between-bodily-injury-and-personal-injury/) harm. Pet owners are still responsible for the actions of their animals, so if you’ve been injured by an exotic animal, you’re entitled to compensation for your injuries. A fair [settlement](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/blog/the-process-of-receiving-a-settlement-check-in-houston/) can help you pay for medical procedures and compensate for missed work time. More often than not, our [cases settle](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/faqs/how-long-will-my-car-accident-case-take-to-settle/) out of court, so you can receive a settlement without the hassle of a [trial](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/faqs/will-my-personal-injury-case-go-to-trial/). For a review of your personal injury case, contact our office for a [free case evaluation](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/blog/9-things-you-should-know-about-a-free-lawyer-consultation/). One of our Houston personal injury attorneys will assess your situation, risk-free, to advise you of the next steps. Let us put our years of experience to work for you. Don’t pay for someone else’s [negligence](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/faqs/what-is-negligence/) — contact us today. [Click to contact](/contact-us/) us today ## Contact the Houston Personal Injury Lawyers at Attorney Brian White Personal Injury Lawyers For Help For more information,[contact](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/contact-us/) the[Houston](https://www.houstontx.gov/) personal injury law firm of Attorney Brian White Personal Injury Lawyers by calling [(713) 500-5000](tel:+17135005000).  Our offices Houston — Greenway/Upper Kirby 3120 Southwest Freeway, Suite 350 Houston, TX 77098 Open 24 hours daily Call [(713) 364-1466](tel:+17133641466) [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=Attorney%20Brian%20White%20Personal%20Injury%20Lawyers%2C%203120%20Southwest%20Freeway%2C%20Suite%20350%2C%20Houston%2C%20TX%2077098) Houston — East Freeway 11811 East Freeway, Suite 630-06 Houston, TX 77029 Open 24 hours daily Call [(713) 609-1893](tel:+17136091893) [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=Attorney%20Brian%20White%20Personal%20Injury%20Lawyers%2C%2011811%20East%20Freeway%2C%20Suite%20630-06%2C%20Houston%2C%20TX%2077029) Houston — South Loop 2600 South Loop West, Suite 293 Houston, TX 77054 Open 24 hours daily Call [(713) 281-4904](tel:+17132814904) [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=Attorney%20Brian%20White%20Personal%20Injury%20Lawyers%2C%202600%20South%20Loop%20West%2C%20Suite%20293%2C%20Houston%2C%20TX%2077054) Houston — Katy Freeway 11511 Katy Fwy, Suite 515 Houston, TX 77079 Open 24 hours daily Call [(713) 909-7537](tel:+17139097537) [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=Attorney%20Brian%20White%20Personal%20Injury%20Lawyers%2C%2011511%20Katy%20Fwy%2C%20Suite%20515%2C%20Houston%2C%20TX%2077079) Houston — Clear Lake 1300 Bay Area Blvd, Suite B268 Houston, TX 77058 By appointment only Call [(936) 508-2854](tel:+19365082854) [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=Attorney%20Brian%20White%20Personal%20Injury%20Lawyers%2C%201300%20Bay%20Area%20Blvd%2C%20Suite%20B268%2C%20Houston%2C%20TX%2077058) The Woodlands 1776 Woodstead Ct, Ste. 203 The Woodlands, TX 77380 By appointment only Call [(281) 843-9777](tel:+12818439777) [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=Attorney%20Brian%20White%20Personal%20Injury%20Lawyers%2C%201776%20Woodstead%20Ct%2C%20Ste.%20203%2C%20The%20Woodlands%2C%20TX%2077380) Champion Forest (Cypress) 4606 FM 1960 Rd W, Ste. 444 Houston, TX 77069 By appointment only Call [(281) 843-9777](tel:+12818439777) [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=Attorney%20Brian%20White%20Personal%20Injury%20Lawyers%2C%204606%20FM%201960%20Rd%20W%2C%20Ste.%20444%2C%20Houston%2C%20TX%2077069) --- ### About the Author ![About the Author](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/About-the-Author-241x300.png) [Attorney Brian White](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/about/our-attorneys/brian-white/) is the founding partner of Attorney Brian White Personal Injury Lawyers in [Houston](https://www.houstontx.gov/), [TX](https://www.texas.gov/). A graduate of [Texas A&M University](https://www.tamu.edu/index.html) and [South Texas College of Law](https://www.stcl.edu/), he is [Board Certified](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/resources/brian-white-is-board-certified-in-personal-injury-trial-law/) in Personal Injury Trial Law — a distinction held by only a small percentage of Texas attorneys, with years of experience handling a wide range of personal injury cases, including [car accidents](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/houston-tx/car-accident-lawyer/), [truck accidents](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/houston-tx/truck-accident-lawyer/), [maritime injuries](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/houston-tx/maritime-injury-lawyer/), [wrongful death](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/houston-tx/wrongful-death-lawyer/), and [more](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/practice-areas/). He is dedicated to thorough preparation, strong advocacy, and helping [accident victims](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/faqs/can-car-accident-victims-suffer-ptsd/) secure the compensation they deserve. [Avvo](https://www.avvo.com/attorneys/77098-tx-brian-white-74113.html) / [Justia](https://lawyers.justia.com/lawyer/brian-elliott-white-201630) / [Linkedin](https://www.linkedin.com/in/attorney-brian-white-378410166) / [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/login/?next=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FBrianWhiteLawFirm%2F/) / [Youtube](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDdkDcGkbY2GFTzpeTWypFQ) / [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/attorneybrianwhite/?hl=en) / [Yelp](https://www.yelp.com/biz/brian-white-and-associates-houston) / Call or Text [(713) 500-5000](tel:+17135005000) or Complete a [Case Evaluation Form](/contact-us/) Premises Liability Blog Posts: [![Injured at Houston Botanic Garden on Valentine’s Day? What to Do Next](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Injured-at-Houston-Botanic-Garden-on-Valentines-Day-What-to-Do-Next-1-300x224.jpg)](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/blog/injured-at-houston-botanic-garden-on-valentines-day-what-to-do-next/) [Injured at Houston Botanic Garden on Valentine's Day: What to Do Next](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/blog/injured-at-houston-botanic-garden-on-valentines-day-what-to-do-next/) Valentine’s Day should be a time for romance, shared memories, and enjoying breathtaking moments with someone [![What To Do if I'm Injured in Inks Lake State Park in Burnet, TX?](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/What-To-Do-if-Im-Injured-in-Inks-Lake-State-Park-in-Burnet-TX-300x199.jpg)](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/blog/what-to-do-if-im-injured-in-inks-lake-state-park-in-burnet-tx/) [What to Do If I'm Injured in Inks Lake State Park in Burnet, TX](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/blog/what-to-do-if-im-injured-in-inks-lake-state-park-in-burnet-tx/) Sustaining a personal injury is always stressful, but it can become even more so if you were hurt in a public space [![5 Leading Causes of House Fires in Texas](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/5-Leading-Causes-of-House-Fires-in-Texas-300x213.jpg)](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/blog/5-leading-causes-of-house-fires-in-texas/) [5 Leading Causes of House Fires in Texas](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/blog/5-leading-causes-of-house-fires-in-texas/) The numbers tell us that most house fires in Texas are preventable. Nevertheless, they occur regularly and leave [How to Contact Animal Control in The Woodlands](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/blog/how-to-contact-animal-control-in-the-woodlands/) Every year, millions of people are bitten by dogs, and tens of thousands of animal bite victims suffer personal --- Source: https://attorneybrianwhite.com/faqs/is-it-legal-to-own-a-pet-tiger-in-texas/