(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. 1, eff. A governmental entity or person that receives the information must maintain the confidentiality of the information, may not disclose the information under Chapter 552, Government Code, and may not use the information for a purpose that does not directly relate to the protection of public health and safety. (a) If rabies is known to exist in an area, the department or its designee may declare an area rabies quarantine to prevent or contain a rabies epizootic. (b) A veterinarian described by Subsection (a) is not required to establish a veterinarian-client-patient relationship before administering rabies vaccine or supervising the administration of rabies vaccine. April 2, 2015. Sept. 1, 1997. (d) The county treasurer shall keep an accurate record showing all amounts received into and paid from the fund. QUARANTINE; CRIMINAL PENALTY. DISPOSITION OF FEE. Texas State Law requires that owners of dogs, cats, and ferrets be vaccinated against rabies by four months of age and given a second inoculation against rabies one year later, then tri-annually thereafter (VTCA-Sec. (e) A person is not required to acquire a hunting license under Section 42.002, Parks and Wildlife Code, to kill a dog or coyote under this section. Penal Code 398 (2022).) Acts 1989, 71st Leg., ch. Acts 1989, 71st Leg., ch. IAdminfootr01a_01_01 = new Image(52, 28);IAdminfootr01a_01_01.src = '/images/home_nav.gif'; The fees may be used only to help defray the cost of administering this chapter or the ordinances or rules of the enforcing agency within its jurisdiction. . 826.041. (2) ordinances or rules adopted under this chapter by a county or municipality within whose jurisdiction the act occurs. May 17, 1999. (b) County ordinances or rules adopted under this section supersede this chapter and the department rules adopted under this chapter within that county so that dual enforcement will not occur. Either party may appeal the decision of the justice or municipal court to a county court or county court at law in the county in which the justice or municipal court is located. 826.0311. (5) "Owner" means any person who owns, harbors, or has custody or control of a dangerous wild animal. If the victim is deemed to be more than 50% at fault, there is no liability. Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. (e) While the quarantine is in effect, the rules adopted by the executive commissioner supersede all other applicable ordinances or rules applying to the quarantine area and apply until the department or its designee removes the quarantine by declaration or until the rules expire or are revoked by the executive commissioner. Pit bulls contributed to 66% (346) of these deaths. Sept. 1, 1997. Added by Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. (a) If the result of an election is against the registration of and registration fee for dogs, another election on that subject may not be held for six months after the date of the election. Renumbered from Health & Safety Code Sec. 826.034. This subchapter shall not apply to any county or municipality that enacts or has enacted registration or restraint laws pursuant to Chapter 826 (Rabies Control Act of 1981). USE AND SALE OF RABIES VACCINE. DOGS AND COYOTES THAT ARE A DANGER TO ANIMALS. (c) A person may not sell or distribute rabies vaccine for animals to any person except a licensed veterinarian or to a person working in a veterinary clinic who accepts the vaccine on behalf of the veterinarian. 1, eff. (a) For each dangerous wild animal, the owner shall comply with all applicable standards of the Animal Welfare Act (7 U.S.C. 530 (H.B. If a dog bites or in any way attacks a person within Livingston city limits, the owner or person with custody of the dog must immediately secure the animal in quarantine for ten days, during which time inspections will be made periodically to determine whether the dog is infected with rabies. (2) the program established by this chapter and the department rules adopted under this chapter. (f) It is an affirmative defense to prosecution under Section 822.005(a) that, at the time of the conduct charged, the person and the dog are participating in an organized search and rescue effort at the request of law enforcement. 669, Sec. During this time, it will be determined if the rabies virus was present and transmittable at the time of the bite. 1, eff. (a) A person commits an offense if: (1) the person fails or refuses to register or present for registration a dog or cat owned by the person; and. According to the State Health and Safety Code (Chapter 8-26), every animal bite must be reported to authorities. (a) The governing body of a municipality may adopt ordinances or rules that establish a local rabies control program in the municipality and set local standards that are compatible with and equal to or more stringent than: (1) the ordinances or rules adopted by the county in which the municipality is located; and. Sec. 822.045. Sec. (b) The executive commissioner by rule shall establish minimum standards for impoundment facilities and for the care of impounded animals. 3.1639(121), eff. Sec. (d) An owner or person filing the action may appeal the decision of the municipal or justice court in the manner described by Section 822.0424. and its subsequent amendments, a clear and legible photocopy of the license. 1, eff. 1069, Sec. (7) "Epizootic" means the occurrence in a given geographic area or population of cases of a disease clearly in excess of the expected frequency. (B) under restraint by closed cage or paddock or in any other manner approved by department rule. Lawyers know that many Texas dog bites occur when an animal is threatened. Sec. ELECTION RESULT. (C) does not otherwise adversely affect the overall welfare of the animal involved. 1, eff. Sec. Rabies infects humans and animals most commonly by a bite from an infected animal, but occasionally by other forms of contact with the virus such as a scratch. SHORT TITLE. April 2, 2015. (a) The executive commissioner by rule shall establish caging requirements and standards for the keeping and confinement of a dangerous wild animal to ensure that the animal is kept in a manner and confined in a primary enclosure that: (1) protects and enhances the public's health and safety; (3) provides a safe, healthy, and humane environment for the animal. (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. UNREGISTERED DOGS PROHIBITED FROM RUNNING AT LARGE. 686 (H.B. (c) An offense under this section is a Class C misdemeanor. Added by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 678, Sec. They include negligence, causing a dog bite by violating an animal control law, failing to stop a dog attack which is in progress, and keeping a dog that is known to be vicious. The Texas Supreme Court articulated the law and standards that Texas follows for animal attacks in a case called Marshall v. Ranne. 1, eff. April 2, 2015. 822.0011. Acts 1989, 71st Leg., ch. When a person is bitten by a domestic dog (Canis lupus familiaris), cat (Felis catus) or ferret (Mustela putorius furo), N.C. General Statute 130A-196 requires that the animal be Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. 219), Sec. (a) An owner of a dangerous wild animal may not permanently relocate the animal unless the owner first notifies the animal registration agency in writing of the exact location to which the animal will be relocated and provides the animal registration agency, with respect to the new location, the information required by Section 822.104. VACCINATION OF DOGS AND CATS REQUIRED. (a) The commissioners court of each county and the governing body of each municipality shall designate an officer to act as the local rabies control authority for the purposes of this chapter. (b) Municipal ordinances or rules adopted under this section supersede ordinances or rules adopted by the county in which the municipality is located, this chapter, and the department rules adopted under this chapter within that municipality so that multiple enforcement will not occur. Sept. 1, 1989. 1 (S.B. EXEMPTION FROM QUARANTINE REQUIREMENT FOR POLICE SERVICE ANIMALS. RELEASE OR DISPOSITION OF QUARANTINED ANIMAL. September 1, 2021. (2) the owner knows or suspects is rabid or has exposed an individual to rabies. Sec. 1, eff. Copyright 2023, Thomson Reuters. //help_ftr_01_05 = new Image(38, 28);help_ftr_01_05.src = '/images/help_nav.gif'; The law only applies to bites on a human, not on another dog. Acts 1989, 71st Leg., ch. If the attack happened because of an intruder, different rules could apply, Bisnar says, but generally speaking, any dog bite in California is considered the dog owner's fault. (b) This subchapter does not require a municipality that does not have an animal control office to create that office. (a) A person commits an offense if the person operates a facility for quarantined or impounded animals that fails to meet standards for approval established by: (2) ordinances or rules adopted under this chapter by a county or municipality. (b) Notwithstanding any other law, including a municipal ordinance, an owner, not later than the 15th day after the date the owner is notified that a dog owned by the owner is a dangerous dog, may appeal the determination of the animal control authority to a justice, county, or municipal court of competent jurisdiction. Added by Acts 1991, 72nd Leg., ch. 99, Sec. The recommended schedule for Bordetella vaccinations depends on whether it is the first dose or a booster, your dogs level of risk and his health. (d) The owner shall submit the animal to the local rabies control authority of the county or municipality in which the exposure occurs. (b) The information may be disclosed only to a governmental entity or a person that, under a contract with a governmental entity, provides animal control services or animal registration services for the governmental entity for purposes related to the protection of public health and safety. HEARING. Acts 1989, 71st Leg., ch. Animal Care Services is making an aggressive effort to address the problem of animal bites by talking to citizens and identifying where these animals live and to whom they belong. (e) If the ownership of a dog is transferred, the dog's registration certificate shall be transferred to the new owner. (g) For purposes of this section, a person learns that the person is the owner of a dangerous dog when: (1) the owner knows of an attack described in Section 822.041(2)(A) or (B); (2) the owner receives notice that a justice court, county court, or municipal court has found that the dog is a dangerous dog under Section 822.0423; or. CONFIDENTIALITY OF CERTAIN INFORMATION IN DOG AND CAT REGISTRY; CRIMINAL PENALTY. Amended by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 686 (H.B. window.status = msgStr; 3.1639(119), eff. Texas. Below you will find a list of dog bite laws in all 50 states and the District of Columbia, including state statutes, whether a state holds owners strictly liable for dog bite injuries, and any additional provisions. DOGS OR COYOTES THAT ATTACK ANIMALS. (4) "Secure" means to take steps that a reasonable person would take to ensure a dog remains on the owner's property, including confining the dog in an enclosure that is capable of preventing the escape or release of the dog. Sec. Sec. (c) An animal registration agency may approve a deviation from the caging requirements and standards established by the executive commissioner, only if: (1) the animal registration agency has good cause for the deviation; and. (b) The tags must be numbered consecutively and must be printed or impressed with the name of the county issuing the tags. Sec. June 14, 2001. 3.1617, eff. Sec. (a) A person who owns or keeps custody or control of a dangerous dog commits an offense if the person fails to comply with Section 822.042 or Section 822.0422(b) or an applicable municipal or county regulation relating to dangerous dogs. April 2, 2015. 5, eff. The hearing must be held not later than the 10th day after the date on which the warrant is issued. 1, eff. 3, eff. 3.1612, eff. Sec. } 822.025. 826.051. 826.055. 826.015. 1, eff. 1. Acts 1989, 71st Leg., ch. 7-4.10 (a) Dog/Cat not spayed/neutered and is over the age of six months. Confinement should be performed in coordination with public health authorities. A dog owner could be liable in a civil lawsuit for a bite or another kind of injury caused by the animal if one (or more) of the following is true: A dog-bite statute applies. 1, eff. 669 (H.B. Amended by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. Sec. Sec. (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. Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1 (S.B. April 2, 2015. (c) Among other duties, the local rabies control authority shall enforce: (1) this chapter and the department rules that comprise the minimum standards for rabies control; (2) the ordinances or rules of the municipality or county that the local rabies control authority serves; and. Through social No anti-rabies prophylaxis is needed. Acts 1989, 71st Leg., ch. (c) A person may appeal the denial of an original or renewal certificate of registration or the revocation of a certificate of registration to the justice court for the precinct in which the animal is located or the municipal court in the municipality in which the animal is located not later than the 15th day after the date the certificate of registration is denied or revoked. It is kept quarantined until the clinical signs of rabies have resolved. This publication from the Texas Association of Counties is written in a Q & A style and covers relevant statutes . Sec. 99, Sec. (a) It is a defense to prosecution under Section 822.005(a) that the person is a veterinarian, a veterinary clinic employee, a peace officer, a person employed by a recognized animal shelter, or a person employed by this state or a political subdivision of this state to deal with stray animals and has temporary ownership, custody, or control of the dog in connection with that position. 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