Unlawful Restraint of Dog - Texas Legislature

Unlawful Restraint of Dog, H.B. No. 1411 passed in 2007, by the Legislature of the State of Texas:

http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/80R/billtext/html/HB01411F.HTM

EXCERPTS:

Sec. 821.077.  UNLAWFUL RESTRAINT OF DOG. 

(a) An owner may  not leave a dog outside and unattended by use of a restraint that unreasonably limits the dog's movement:

(1)  between the hours of 10 p.m. and 6 a.m.;

(2)  within 500 feet of the premises of a school; or

(3)  in the case of extreme weather conditions, including conditions in which:

(A)  the actual or effective outdoor temperature is below 32 degrees Fahrenheit;

(B)  a heat advisory has been issued by a local or state authority or jurisdiction; or

(C)  a hurricane, tropical storm, or tornado warning has been issued for the jurisdiction by the National Weather Service.

(b)  In this section, a restraint unreasonably limits a dog's movement if the restraint:

(1)  uses a collar that is pinch-type, prong-type, or choke-type or that is not properly fitted to the dog;

(2)  is a length shorter 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;

(3)  is in an unsafe condition; or

(4)  causes injury to the dog.

Sec. 821.078.  EXCEPTIONS. Section 821.077 does not apply to:

(1)  a dog restrained to a running line, pulley, or trolley system and that is not restrained to the running line, pulley, or trolley system by means of a pinch-type, prong-type, choke-type, or improperly fitted collar;

(2)  a dog restrained in compliance with the requirements of a camping or recreational area as defined by a federal, state, or local authority or jurisdiction;

(3)  a dog restrained for a reasonable period, not to exceed three hours in a 24-hour period, and no longer than is necessary for the owner to complete a temporary task that requires the dog to be restrained;