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:
- have an unsterilized dangerous dog spayed or neutered;
- register the dangerous dog with the director and pay to the director a dangerous dog registration fee of $50;
- restrain the dangerous dog at all times on a leash, in the immediate control of a person or in a secure enclosure;
- 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;
- place and maintain on the dangerous dog a collar or harness with a current dangerous dog registration tag securely attached to it;
- have the dangerous dog injected with a microchip implant and registered with a national registry for dogs;
- post a sign at each entrance to the enclosure in which the dangerous dog is confined stating “BEWARE DANGEROUS DOG"; and
- 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.
