Our Estray Unit protects all livestock from harm, theft or from roaming at large. We will enforce all applicable laws to safeguard the welfare of the public and the livestock with particular emphasis on the Livestock Laws of the State of Texas and the Texas Agriculture Code.
The Texas Agriculture code defines "Estray" as stray livestock, stray exotic livestock, or stray exotic fowl. Loose livestock or estrays are a major concern in Travis County. The estray problem creates a danger of property damage and even death on our roadways. With the continual growth in population, and more cars on the roadways, the problem continues to grow. The Texas Legislature has assigned the duties to the Sheriff of each county to deal with the problem.
Running at Large on Highway Prohibited
A person who owns or has responsibility for the control of a horse, mule, donkey, cow, bull, hog, sheep or goat, may not knowingly permit the animal to traverse or roam at large, unattended, on the right-of-way of a highway.
Discovery of an Estray & The Duty to Report
If a citizen discovers livestock on his/her property, without their permission, they must report the presence of the estray to the Sheriff’s Office as soon as reasonably possible. It is then our responsibility to attempt to identify the owner of the animal and notify them for recovery, except that if it is determined that the estray is dangerous to the public, then the estray may be immediately impounded.
File Online Report for Missing Livestock
Estray Fees
This notice is to provide the citizens of Travis County an update to the estray fees generally collected when livestock has been impounded.
The following fees were adopted by the Travis County Commissioners Court and will be implemented September 1, 2023.
Impounded Animals
Impounded animals by the Sheriff’s Office are not for sale or adoption. Please visit René Bates Auctioneers to inquire about animals available for auction.
Please contact our Estray deputies to claim your missing livestock:
| Date | Livestock | Seized Address | Case# |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11/26/23 | Two Brown/White Sheep | 18500 Blk of E Us 290 | 23-3300276 |
| 11/26/23 | White Horse | 3200 Blk of W. Slaughter Ln. | 23-3300552 |
| 11/15/23 | Male Billy Goat | 13709 Optimismo Ter. | 23-3190358 |
| 11/14/23 | Appaloosa Horse & Brown/White Mini Horse | 14549 Plover Pl. | 23-3180138 |
| 10/16/23 | Male Suffolk Sheep | 8027 Elroy Rd. | 23-2890370 |