Understanding Leash Laws in Texas

March 20, 2025 by Greg Baumgartner

In Texas, no statewide leash law mandates that dogs be always restrained. However, understanding leash laws in Texas is crucial as individual municipalities have enacted regulations to ensure public safety and animal welfare. These local ordinances, often called “running-at-large” laws, typically require dog owners to keep their pets on a leash or under direct physical control when in public spaces. Dog attack cases require investigation and proof.

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Houston’s Leash Regulations

In Houston, regulations stipulate that dog owners or handlers must prevent their animals from “running at large.” Specifically, it is unlawful for any person owning or possessing a dog to allow it to be at large without having direct physical control over the animal. This means that dogs must be on a leash or confined to the owner’s property within city limits, ensuring they do not have access to public areas such as streets or sidewalks without proper restraint. Exceptions are made for designated off-leash areas, such as specific dog parks, where dogs can roam freely under supervision.

Consequences of Non-Compliance

Violating local leash laws can lead to several repercussions:

• Fines and Penalties: In Houston, allowing a dog to run at large can result in fines ranging from $500 to $2,000 per offense. Each day the violation continues, it may be considered a separate offense.
• Liability for Damages: If an unleashed dog causes injury to a person or another animal, the owner may be liable for medical expenses, property damage, and other related costs.
• Designation as a Dangerous Dog: An unrestrained dog that inflicts injury can be classified as a “dangerous dog,” imposing stricter regulations on the owner, including mandatory registration, confinement requirements, and liability insurance.

Statewide Tethering Restrictions

While Texas does not have a universal leash law, there are statewide regulations concerning the tethering of dogs. The Safe Outdoor Dogs Act, outlines specific requirements for restraining dogs outdoors:

• Prohibited Restraints: The use of chains or weighted restraints is forbidden. Acceptable tie-outs must be at least 10 feet long or five times the dog’s length from nose to tail, whichever is greater.
• Shelter Requirements: Dogs kept outdoors must have access to adequate shelter that protects them from extreme weather conditions, including rain, hail, sleet, snow, high winds, and extreme temperatures. The shelter should allow the dog to stand, sit, turn around, and lie normally.
• Necessities: Owners must provide potable water and ensure the area is free from standing water and excessive waste.

Violations of these tethering regulations can result in fines of up to $500 for the first offense and higher penalties for subsequent infractions.

Implications for Dog Bite Incidents

Leash laws play a significant role in legal proceedings related to dog bite incidents:

• Negligence Per Se: If a dog owner violates a local leash law and their unrestrained dog bites someone, the violation can be used to establish negligence per se. This legal doctrine allows the injured party to prove the owner’s negligence by showing the breach of a statute designed to protect public safety.
• In cases where a dog has a known history of aggressive behavior, Texas law may hold the owner liable for any injuries caused, regardless of leash law compliance.

Victims of dog bites may be entitled to compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other related damages. They should always report a dog bite in Texas.

Recommendations for Dog Owners

To ensure compliance with local and state regulations and to promote public safety, dog owners in Texas should:

• Stay Informed: Familiarize themselves with local leash laws and ordinances specific to their municipality.
• Proper Restraint: Always use a leash or maintain direct physical control over their dogs in public spaces unless in designated off-leash areas.
• Provide Adequate Shelter: Ensure outdoor dogs have appropriate shelter and are not subjected to unlawful tethering practices.

By adhering to these guidelines, dog owners can contribute to a safer environment for their pets and the community.

Contact a Dog Attack Lawyer in Houston for Help

If you have been bitten in a dog attack, contact Baumgartner Law Firm for your free injury claim consultation.

Contact the Houston personal injury law firm of Baumgartner Law Firm at (281) 587-1111.
Baumgartner Law Firm
 
6711 Cypress Creek Pkwy 
Houston, TX, 77069