Simone Lawson
In Bell County, Texas, the Bell County Sheriff is responsible for enforcing the ordinance to control stray dogs and cats in the unincorporated areas of the county. This includes impounding strays and investigating complaints about any environmental issues, such as illegal dumping or hazardous materials. The Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 822, Subchapter A, defines animal control authority as the municipal or county animal control office with authority over the area or the county sheriff in areas without an animal control office. This chapter also includes regulations for dogs that attack or are a danger to people and prohibits certain dogs from running at large, with a criminal penalty for unregistered dogs.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Dog's age | At least six months |
| Registration | Registered with the county |
| Leash laws | Must be on a leash |
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What You'll Learn
Dogs must be at least six months old to run at large
In Texas, the owner or person in control of a dog that is at least six months old cannot allow the dog to run at large unless it is registered with the county. This means that dogs over six months old that are not registered with the county must be kept on a leash or restrained in another way.
Texas state law does not prohibit a municipality or county from adopting leash or registration requirements for dogs. This means that local governments can create their own laws regarding dog leashes and registration.
Dogs that are brought into a county for not more than 10 days for breeding, trial, or show purposes are not required to be registered. However, unregistered dogs are prohibited from running at large.
If a dog causes the death of or serious bodily injury to a person, a justice court, county court, or municipal court may order the animal control authority to seize the dog and issue a warrant for its seizure.
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Dogs must be registered with the county
In Bell County, Texas, the Bell County Sheriff is responsible for enforcing the county's Animal Control rules. These rules are in place to control stray dogs and cats in the unincorporated portions of the county.
The Texas Health and Safety Code, Chapter 822, Subchapter C, outlines the statutes that enable counties to require that dogs be registered. This means that in Bell County, Texas, dogs must be registered with the county.
The owner or person in control of a dog that is at least six months old in a county adopting this subchapter may not allow the dog to run at large unless it is registered with the county in which it runs at large. This rule does not apply to dogs brought into the county for not more than 10 days for breeding purposes, trials, or shows.
The term "animal control authority" refers to a municipal or county animal control office with authority over the area in which the dog is kept, or the county sheriff in an area without an animal control office. The Bell County Sheriff's Office can be contacted for more information on domesticated animals that may have been picked up by Animal Control officers.
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Dogs that attack or are a danger to people
In Texas, a "dangerous dog" is a legal designation defined by the State of Texas and applied to dogs who have been determined by a court to be a danger to people. Owners of registered dangerous dogs are ordered by the court to register the dog as dangerous and pay an annual fee. They must also restrain the dog at all times on a leash in the immediate control of a person or in a secure enclosure.
According to the Texas Health and Safety Code, a "dangerous dog" is one that:
- Makes an unprovoked attack on a person that causes bodily injury and occurs in a place other than the enclosure in which the dog was kept.
- Commits unprovoked acts that cause a person to reasonably believe that the dog will attack and cause bodily injury to that person, and these acts occur outside of an enclosure that could reasonably prevent the dog from leaving.
Additionally, a dog may be considered dangerous if it:
- Bites, assaults, or otherwise attacks a person without provocation on the property of the owner and causes serious bodily injury, provided that the person is on the property with the owner's consent.
- Displays aggressive tendencies that cause a person of normal sensibilities to fear an attack, even when inside an enclosure, if the enclosure is not sufficient to ensure the safety of persons or domesticated animals on adjoining properties or the public.
- Interferes with the freedom of movement of persons in a public right-of-way, regardless of whether the dog was on the property of its owner.
- Is one of several dogs or other animals maintained on the property, creating a situation that is dangerous to public health, safety, or welfare.
In Bell County, Texas, there are likely regulations in place to ensure the safety of the community regarding dogs that may pose a danger. While I cannot find specific details for Bell County, Texas, the state of Texas has laws in place that its counties must abide by.
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Seizing a dog causing death or serious injury
In Texas, if a dog causes the death of or serious injury to a person, the dog's owner is responsible for the damages caused. Texas is a "one-bite rule" state, which means that the owner can be held strictly liable for any medical bills and damages caused by an animal known to be dangerous or which could be dangerous. If the animal has never bitten or injured anyone before, the owner may not be held liable.
If a dog attack results in serious injury or death, the dog will be seized and a hearing will be held within 10 days to determine the fate of the dog. The court will give written notice of the hearing to the owner of the dog, and any interested party may present evidence. If the court finds that the dog caused the death of a person, the dog will be ordered to be destroyed. If the dog is found to have caused serious injury, the court may order the dog to be destroyed.
If the owner of the dog is found to have committed criminal negligence by failing to secure the dog or by allowing the dog to commit another attack, they may face felony charges. If the attack results in death, the charge becomes a felony of the second degree.
It is important to note that certain defenses exist for dog attacks, such as the victim trespassing, the dog being leashed and under control, or the dog being lawfully engaged in hunting or farming. In the aftermath of a dog attack, it is recommended that both the victim and the owner seek legal counsel to understand their rights and responsibilities.
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County Commissioners control dangerous wild animals and stray dogs
County commissioners play a crucial role in controlling dangerous wild animals and managing stray dogs within their jurisdictions. In Texas, for instance, county commissioners are responsible for establishing and enforcing laws and policies that directly impact animal control and welfare. This includes regulating dangerous dogs, implementing rabies control programs, and designating local animal control authorities.
In Bell County, Texas, the county commissioners have been involved in addressing concerns regarding the county's rabies vaccination policy. While national veterinary medical associations and other states have recommended a three-year rabies vaccination protocol, Bell County previously required annual rabies boosters. However, due to efforts from residents and veterinarians, there has been a push for the county to adopt the three-year protocol, aligning with state and national guidelines.
County commissioners also have the authority to prohibit or regulate the ownership and keeping of dangerous wild animals within their communities. For instance, Brazos County in Texas has an ordinance prohibiting or regulating the ownership and keeping of dangerous wild animals, specifically mentioning wolves. This ordinance is in place to ensure public safety and prevent potential hazards.
Additionally, county commissioners work in collaboration with local animal welfare organizations and non-profit entities to provide various animal control services. These services can include adoptions, spay and neuter surgeries, vaccinations, and disease control, such as the Texas Department of State Health Services' efforts to investigate and address pests and diseases transmissible from animals to humans, including rabies and the West Nile Virus.
Furthermore, county commissioners have the power to impound sick, injured, or dangerous animals and enforce related laws and policies. They can establish guidelines for the release of impounded animals, requiring payment of relevant fees and ensuring compliance with county ordinances. The Board of Commissioners also sets the fees for adoption and redemption of impounded animals, demonstrating their direct involvement in the financial aspects of animal control.
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Frequently asked questions
A dog at large is a dog that is allowed to run freely by the owner or person having control of the dog.
In Bell County, Texas, a dog at large is a dog that is allowed to run freely by the owner or person having control of the dog, provided that the dog is registered with the county.
Yes, there are penalties for having a dog at large in Bell County, Texas. The Bell County Sheriff is responsible for enforcing the ordinance, which includes impounding strays.
Yes, there are exceptions to the definition of a dog at large in Bell County, Texas. A dog that is in the county for not more than 10 days for breeding purposes, trial, or show is not considered a dog at large and is not required to be registered.
