Through social Sec. GENERAL PROVISIONS; DOGS THAT ATTACK PERSONS OR ARE A DANGER TO PERSONS. 7, eff. May 21, 2015. Amended by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. September 1, 2007. The Texas Supreme Court articulated the law and standards that Texas follows for animal attacks in a case called Marshall v. Ranne. 3.1617, eff. Sec. 2, eff. (a) If the animal registration agency finds that an application for an original or renewal certificate of registration under this subchapter does not meet the requirements of Section 822.104 or, after inspection, that an applicant has not complied with this subchapter, the animal registration agency shall deny the applicant a certificate of registration and give the applicant written notice of the denial and the reasons for the denial. Sec. (b) A dog or cat may not be subject to dual registration. BITE #_____ ACTIVITY #_____ Persons or pets are potentially exposed when: EXPOSURE INFO 1. there is known physical contact with saliva or nervous system tissue from a high-risk wildlife species Did anyone touch the wild animal? 1, eff. Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. ATTACK BY DANGEROUS DOG. 2283), Sec. 2, eff. (a) A person commits an offense if the person is the owner of a dog and the person: (1) with criminal negligence, as defined by Section 6.03, Penal Code, fails to secure the dog and the dog makes an unprovoked attack on another person that occurs at a location other than the owner's real property or in or on the owner's . Sec. 822.101. Amended by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 1002, Sec. APPLICABILITY OF SUBCHAPTER. 8, eff. 1, eff. 99, Sec. 1355), Sec. 1069, Sec. 3.1600, eff. Amended by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. (1) Whenever it is reported to the health commissioner of a health district that any dog, cat, or ferret has bitten or otherwise exposed an individual to rabies, that dog, cat, or ferret shall be quarantined under an order issued by the . | Last updated May 10, 2019. (a) Rabies vaccine for animals may be administered only by or under the direct supervision of a veterinarian. Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 822.004 and amended by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. The new registration certificate is valid for one year from the date of registration in the county from which the dog was moved. (a) A person commits an offense if the person fails or refuses to have each dog or cat owned by the person vaccinated against rabies and the animal is required to be vaccinated under: (1) Section 826.021 and department rules; or. (1) the name and address of the victim and of the animal's owner, if known; and. 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. 822.102. 1 (S.B. (3) the owner is informed by the animal control authority that the dog is a dangerous dog under Section 822.0421. A few days later, the shelter reported that they had received positive test results. Sept. 1, 1997. 5, eff. (8) "Licensed veterinarian" means a veterinarian licensed to practice veterinary medicine in one or more of the 50 states. 2283), Sec. In 2015, the dogs' owner was sentenced to five years in prison. } 1 (S.B. (2) knows the dog is a dangerous dog by learning in a manner described by Section 822.042(g) that the person is the owner of a dangerous dog, and the dangerous dog makes an unprovoked attack on another person that occurs at a location other than a secure enclosure in which the dog is restrained in accordance with Subchapter D and that causes serious bodily injury, as defined by Section 822.001, or death to the other person. An owner shall submit for quarantine an animal that: (1) is reported to be rabid or to have exposed an individual to rabies; or (2) the owner knows or suspects is rabid or has exposed an individual to rabies. April 2, 2015. 678, Sec. Rabies and Animal Control Order #171. The information contained in the registry may not include the social security number or the driver's license number of the owner of the registered animal. (a) A person commits an offense if the person: (1) administers or attempts to administer rabies vaccine in a manner not authorized by Section 826.023; (2) dispenses or attempts to dispense rabies vaccine in a manner not authorized by Section 826.023; or. Rabies virus can be excreted in the saliva of infected dogs, cats, and ferrets during illness and/or for a few days before illness or death. A healthy dog, cat, or ferret that bites a person should be confined and observed daily for 10 days. Email: shelter@smith-county.com. 1 (S.B. Texas is under a statewide rabies quarantine ( Title 25, Section 169.34 of the Texas Administrative Code ). (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. Section 2131 et seq.) If an animal dies or is destroyed while in quarantine, the veterinarian or local rabies control authority shall remove the head or brain of the animal and submit it to the nearest department laboratory for testing. REPORTING OF INCIDENT IN CERTAIN COUNTIES AND MUNICIPALITIES. (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. (c) An owner of a dangerous wild animal that escapes is liable for all costs incurred in apprehending and confining the animal. 826.023. 1, eff. (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. (e) The court may order the dog destroyed if the court finds that the dog caused serious bodily injury to a person by attacking, biting, or mauling the person. 3.1619, eff. Penal Code 398 (2022).) Sec. . 2. 826.032. To report an animal bite please call the Customer Call Center at 311 or contact Animal Care Services at 361-826-4634 or 361-826-4616. 5, eff. function di(id,name){ (c) Each time a dog or coyote runs at large in violation of this section constitutes a separate offense. Added by Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. (a) A person who violates Section 822.103(a) is liable for a civil penalty of not less than $200 and not more than $2,000 for each animal with respect to which there is a violation and for each day the violation continues. (2) ordinances or rules adopted under this chapter by a county or municipality within whose jurisdiction the act occurs. (a) The department may provide vaccine and hyperimmune serum in accordance with department policies or procedures for the use and benefit of a person exposed, or suspected of having been exposed, to rabies. (2) any other information that may help in locating the victim or animal. 822.002. (2) are more stringent than restrictions provided by this subchapter. This article focuses on civil liability for dog bites, but a discussion of criminal penalties has been provided. Added by Acts 2017, 85th Leg., R.S., Ch. Typically, you must make your dog, cat, or ferret available for quarantine and observation for 10 days after the bite, even if it has been vaccinated. 916, Sec. 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. 3.1610, eff. 14.809, eff. 669 (H.B. CRIMINAL PENALTY. SUBCHAPTER C. COUNTY REGISTRATION AND REGULATION OF DOGS. DEFINITIONS. Also, the dog's owner can sometimes choose not to have their dog put down. 3.1624, eff. 219), Sec. 1, eff. (a) The governing body of a municipality and the commissioners court of a county may adopt ordinances or rules under Section 826.014 or 826.015 requiring the registration of each dog and cat within the jurisdiction of the municipality or county. Sec. Kennel Cough. (d) The court shall order the dog destroyed if the court finds that the dog caused the death of a person by attacking, biting, or mauling the person. 916, Sec. Fax: 903-526-0202. 826.016. (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. and . Sec. and its subsequent amendments and the regulations adopted under that Act relating to: (b) An owner of a dangerous wild animal shall maintain a separate written log for each dangerous wild animal documenting the animal's veterinary care and shall make the log available to the animal registration agency or its agent on request. 219), Sec. 1 (S.B. Amended by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. Amended by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 14.810, eff. 219), Sec. 54, Sec. (7) "Primary enclosure" means any structure used to immediately restrict an animal to a limited amount of space, including a cage, pen, run, room, compartment, or hutch. Section 826.042 Quarantine of Animals, 219), Sec. (2) the animal is required to be restrained under the ordinances or rules adopted under this chapter by a county or municipality within whose jurisdiction the act occurs. (3) sells or distributes rabies vaccine for animals in violation of Section 826.023(c). 1 (S.B.