01/21/2026
Just a reminder and some information on the law pertaining to your fur babies. We are going to experience very cold weather over the next week so please take steps to keep your animals warm.
TEXAS HEALTH AND SAFETY CODE SEC. 821.101. DEFINITIONS.
In this subchapter:
(1) "Adequate shelter" means a sturdy structure:
(A) that provides the dog protection from inclement weather; and
(B) with dimensions that allow the dog while in the shelter to stand erect, sit, turn around, and lie down in a normal position.
(2) "Collar" means a band of material specifically designed to be placed around the neck of a dog.
(3) "Harness" means a set of straps constructed of nylon, leather, or similar material, specifically designed to restrain or control a dog.
(4) "Inclement weather" includes rain, hail, sleet, snow, high winds, extreme low temperatures, or extreme high temperatures.
(5) "Owner" means a person who owns or has custody or control of a dog.
(6) "Properly fitted" means, with respect to a collar or harness, a collar or harness that:
(A) is appropriately sized for the dog based on the dog's measurements and body weight;
(B) does not choke the dog or impede the dog's normal breathing or swallowing; and
(C) does not cause pain or injury to the dog.
(7) "Restraint" means a chain, rope, tether, leash, cable, or other device that attaches a dog to a stationary object or trolley system.
TEXAS PENAL CODE SEC. 42.092. CRUELTY TO NONLIVESTOCK ANIMALS
(b) A person commits an offense if the person intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly:
(1) tortures an animal or in a cruel manner kills or causes serious bodily injury to an animal;
(2) without the owner's effective consent, kills, administers poison to, or causes serious bodily injury to an animal;
(3) fails unreasonably to provide necessary food, water, care, or shelter for an animal in the person's custody;
(4) abandons unreasonably an animal in the person's custody;
(5) transports or confines an animal in a cruel manner;
(6) without the owner's effective consent, causes bodily injury to an animal;
(7) causes one animal to fight with another animal, if either animal is not a dog;
(8 ) uses a live animal as a lure in dog race training or in dog coursing on a racetrack; or
(9) seriously overworks an animal.
TEXAS HEALTH AND SAFETY CODE SEC. 821.102. UNLAWFUL RESTRAINT OF DOG ; OFFENSE.
(a) An owner may not leave a dog outside and unattended by use of a restraint unless the owner provides the dog access to:
(1) adequate shelter;
(2) an area that allows the dog to avoid standing water and exposure to excessive animal waste;
(3) shade from direct sunlight; and
(4) potable water.
(b) An owner may not restrain a dog outside and unattended by use of a restraint that:
(1) is a chain;
(2) has weights attached;
(3) is shorter in length than the greater of:
(A) five times the length of the dog, as measured from the tip of the dog's nose to the base of the dog's tail; or
(B) 10 feet; or
(4) is attached to a collar or harness not properly fitted.
