Requirements for Ownership of a Dangerous Dog

In addition to complying with the requirements of Subchapter D, Chapter 822 of the Texas Health and Safety Code, as amended, a person shall, not later than the 30th day after learning that he is the owner of a dangerous dog:

1. have an unsterilized dangerous dog spayed or neutered;
2. register the dangerous dog with the director and pay to the director a dangerous dog registration fee of $50;
3. restrain the dangerous dog at all times on a leash, in the immediate control of a person or in a secure enclosure;
4. obtain liability insurance coverage or show financial responsibility in an amount of at least $100,000 to cover damages resulting from an attack by the dangerous dog causing bodily injury to a person and provide proof of the required liability insurance coverage or financial responsibility to the director; 
5. place and maintain on the dangerous dog a collar or harness with a current dangerous dog registration tag securely attached to it;
6. have the dangerous dog injected with a microchip implant and registered with a national registry for dogs;  
7. post a sign at each entrance to the enclosure in which the dangerous dog is confined stating “BEWARE DANGEROUS DOG"; and
8. renew registration of the dangerous dog with the director annually and pay an annual dangerous dog registration fee to the director of $50.

Section 7-5.4 Appeals (paraphrased)

If under Section 7-5.3 of Chapter 7, the director determines that a dog is dangerous or orders a dangerous dog to be permanently removed from the City, that decision is final unless the dog owner files a written appeal with the municipal court within 15 days after receiving notice that the dog has been determined to be dangerous or ordered to be removed from the City.

Petition for Appeal to the City of Dallas Municipal Court