Get help with an Austin animal issue

Short answer

Animal calls split by urgency: 911 for immediate danger to a person, Animal Services for bites, welfare, and dangerous animals, and 311 for loose, dead, or found animals. We put your report in the right one with the location and condition recorded.

Who this is for

Austin residents dealing with a loose, injured, dead, found, or dangerous animal, or a bite or welfare concern.

The steps, in order

1. If anyone is in immediate danger, call 911 first.
2. Record the exact location, the animal's condition, and the time.
3. Keep your distance; do not approach an injured or aggressive animal.
4. Review and send the report through Animal Services or 311, then save any request number issued.

Have this ready

• The exact location
• A description of the animal and its condition
• Whether anyone is at risk right now

Common mistakes to avoid

• Approaching an injured or dangerous animal to move it; keep distance and let the response team handle it.
• Waiting to report a bite; bites have a required reporting path and time matters.

Common questions

Who handles a loose dog in Austin?

Austin Animal Services handles loose, stray, and dangerous animals inside the city. File with the exact location and direction of travel and keep your distance.

What do I do about a dead animal in the road?

Report it through Austin 311 with the exact location. Do not move it yourself if it is in traffic.

Official sources

• Austin Animal Services
• Austin 311

Last reviewed August 26, 2026 against the official source.

Related

• Austin 311 help: report and track a city issue