Starting today, January 18, the Safe Outdoor Dogs Act goes into effect in Texas.
It is no longer a misdemeanor offense rather a criminal offense for a dog to be chained for restraining purposes. Chaining dogs without the proper shelter and water is also prohibited under the new law.
The ordinance states that proper shelter includes safety from harsh temperatures like “rain, hail, sleet, snow, high winds, and very high temperatures.”
Unlike before, officers don’t have to wait 24 hours before they can enforce the regulation.
Tethering or restraining a dog is permitted as long as it is done in the correct manner. Dogs can no longer be be restrained with chains or heavy weights. This is usually done when dog fighting is occurring.
Dogs have to be able to sit, stand, and move around normally.
