HARLINGEN, TEXAS -- A south Texas district court in Hidalgo County has ruled against an Edinburg wildlife sanctuary that housed lions, tigers leopards and other exotic animals.

The 93rd District Court recently ruled on April 9 in favor of the City of Edinburg in the lawsuit filed by wildlife sanctuary owners Fred Lulling and Barbara Hoffman. Edinburg is located in south Texas near McAllen.

Lulling and Hoffman asked the court in December 2008 for an informal order that would allow their wild animals to stay inside city limits.

Edinburg spokeswoman Irma Garza told Action 4 News in Harlingen on Thursday that a city ordinance prohibits keeping such animals inside city limits.

State District Judge Rudy Delgado dismissed the Lulling's and Hoffman's case citing lack of jurisdiction, failure to follow procedural steps and failure to file their lawsuit in a timely manner. 

Garza told Action 4 News that the city is allowing the animals to remain at the sacntury off U.S. Highway 281 through December 31. 

But Garza added in a prepared statement that Lulling and Hoffman have failed to register their animals with the city, the state and USDA as requested by city officials.

Click here to download a copy of Judge Delgado's order.