(a) The owner, keeper, or person in control of a dog or coyote that the owner, keeper, or person knows is accustomed to run, worry, or kill livestock, domestic animals, or fowls may not permit the dog or coyote to run at large. 99, Sec. Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. (5) "Department" means the Department of State Health Services. Sec. (a) An owner of a dangerous wild animal shall notify the animal registration agency of any attack of a human by the animal within 48 hours of the attack. Added by Acts 1991, 72nd Leg., ch. Sec. June 15, 2007. 822.022. (b) A veterinarian who vaccinates a dog or cat against rabies shall issue to the animal's owner a vaccination certificate in a form that meets the minimum standards approved by the executive commissioner. (a) A person commits an offense if the person violates Section 822.103(a), Section 822.106, or Section 822.110(a) or (b). (2) It is illegal to transport animals subject to the statewide rabies quarantine from, to . } (c) An owner of a dangerous wild animal that escapes is liable for all costs incurred in apprehending and confining the animal. 1, eff. 822.112. 3.1620, eff. 669 (H.B. Texas doesn't have a civil liability law specifically for dog bites, but that doesn't mean you won't be liable if your dog bites someone. September 1, 2017. Amended by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. (4) "Secure enclosure" means a fenced area or structure that is: (B) capable of preventing the entry of the general public, including children; (C) capable of preventing the escape or release of a dog; (D) clearly marked as containing a dangerous dog; and. 992 (H.B. 822.104. Created byFindLaw's team of legal writers and editors 686 (H.B. 2, eff. 826.015. 1355), Sec. There are further considerations following an attack. 99, Sec. Name (b) A jurisdiction may not be subject to dual restraint ordinances or rules. Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. (c) A person who discovers on the person's property a dog or coyote known or suspected of having killed livestock, domestic animals, or fowls may detain or impound the dog or coyote and return it to its owner or deliver the dog or coyote to the local animal control authority. Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. Therefore, it is illegal to transport the following species from, to, or within the State of Texas: foxes, coyotes, skunks, or raccoons indigenous to North America. (b) A dog or cat may not be subject to dual registration. 822.002. 916, Sec. (b) On the declaration that a quarantine exists, the executive commissioner shall: (1) define the borders of the quarantine area; and. (b) It is a defense to prosecution under Section 822.044 or Section 822.045 that the person is an employee of the institutional division of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice or a law enforcement agency and trains or uses dogs for law enforcement or corrections purposes. 976 (S.B. } 822.041. 219), Sec. (a) The governing body of a municipality and the commissioners court of a county may adopt ordinances or rules under Section 826.014 or 826.015 requiring the registration of each dog and cat within the jurisdiction of the municipality or county. Sec. Dog Quarantine After Bite. The Executive Commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) declares a statewide rabies quarantine. (4) comply with an applicable municipal or county regulation, requirement, or restriction on dangerous dogs. (5) a humane disposition be made of each unclaimed stray dog or cat on the expiration of the required impoundment period. (a) If a veterinarian determines that a quarantined animal does not show the clinical signs of rabies, the veterinarian or local rabies control authority shall release the animal to its owner when the quarantine period ends if: (1) the owner has an unexpired rabies vaccination certificate for the animal; or. Added by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. DEFINITIONS. The animal's owner must pay the fee before the animal may be released. (a) If a majority of those voting at the election vote in favor of the measure, the requirement that dogs be registered takes effect in the county on the 10th day after the date on which the result of the election is declared. Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. If that finding is not made, the court shall order the dog released to: (f) The court may not order the dog destroyed if the court finds that the dog caused the serious bodily injury to a person by attacking, biting, or mauling the person and: (1) the dog was being used for the protection of a person or person's property, the attack, bite, or mauling occurred in an enclosure in which the dog was being kept, and: (A) the enclosure was reasonably certain to prevent the dog from leaving the enclosure on its own and provided notice of the presence of a dog; and. APPLICATION TO CERTAIN PROPERTY. Sec. 219), Sec. Owners of registered dangerous dogs are ordered by court to: Register the dog as dangerous with the City of Austin and pay an annual $50 fee.