(b) An offense under this section is a Class C misdemeanor. Name (4) provide the name of the attending veterinarian, if applicable. // The java used for navigation in the Public OM page Acts 1989, 71st Leg., ch. 678, Sec. The owner of the dog or coyote is liable for all costs incurred in the capture and care of the dog or coyote and all damage done by the dog or coyote. SUBCHAPTER D. REGISTRATION AND RESTRAINT OF DOGS AND CATS. (d) In addition to the items required under Subsection (c), an application for renewal must include a statement signed by a veterinarian licensed to practice in this state stating that the veterinarian: (1) inspected each animal being registered not earlier than the 30th day before the date of the filing of the renewal application; and. 826.032. Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. Animal Control Handbook. (d) It is a defense to prosecution under Section 822.005(a) that the person is a person with a disability and uses the dog to provide assistance, the dog is trained to provide assistance to a person with a disability, and the person is using the dog to provide assistance in connection with the person's disability. Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. The Executive Commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) declares a statewide rabies quarantine. May 17, 1999. // function that displays status bar message The decision of the county court or county court at law may not be appealed. You can be held civilly or criminally liable. (c) The local rabies control authority shall investigate a report filed under this section. INTERVAL BETWEEN ELECTIONS. (c) The animal registration agency may establish and charge reasonable fees for application, issuance, and renewal of a certificate of registration in order to recover the costs associated with the administration and enforcement of this subchapter. Acts 1989, 71st Leg., ch. or uses dogs for law enforcement or corrections purposes. 219), Sec. (a) The owner or person having control of a dog six months of age or older in a county that has adopted this subchapter must register the dog not later than the 30th day after the date on which the proclamation is published or adopted. The hearing must be held not later than the 10th day after the date on which the warrant is issued. ATTACK BY DOG. (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. Also, the dog's owner can sometimes choose not to have their dog put down. CARE, TREATMENT, AND TRANSPORTATION OF ANIMAL. When a person is bitten by a domestic dog (Canis lupus familiaris), cat (Felis catus) or ferret (Mustela putorius furo), N.C. General Statute 130A-196 requires that the animal be Sept. 1, 1989. May 5, 1995. 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. Any animal involved in an animal bite or scratch incident is required by State of Texas Health & Safety Code Chapter 826 to be quarantined for at least 10 days from the date of the animal bite occurrence. APPEAL. (3) the owner is informed by the animal control authority that the dog is a dangerous dog under Section 822.0421. SUBCHAPTER C. COUNTY REGISTRATION AND REGULATION OF DOGS. EXPOSURE REPORT Use this side when PERSONS or DOMESTIC ANIMALS are potentially exposed to rabies by a BAT, COYOTE,FOX, RACCOON or SKUNK. 822.104. 219), Sec. Texas. Sept. 1, 1997. (a) The executive commissioner shall adopt rules governing the testing of quarantined animals and the procedure for and method of quarantine. 52 (H.B. In addition to the notice required by Section 4.003, Election Code, notice of an election under this subchapter shall be published at least once in an English language newspaper of general circulation in the county. Renumbered from Health & Safety Code Sec. (b) A jurisdiction may not be subject to dual restraint ordinances or rules. Renumbered from Health & Safety Code Sec. (a) Information contained in a rabies vaccination certificate or in any record compiled from the information contained in one or more certificates that identifies or tends to identify an owner or an address, telephone number, or other personally identifying information of an owner of a vaccinated animal is confidential and not subject to disclosure under Chapter 552, Government Code. In the Marshall case, Paul Marshall sued John Ranne for damages suffered when Ranne's boar severely injured his hand. Texas Law Regarding Dog Owners and Dog Attacks Believe it or not, a person could be criminally liable, meaning they could be convicted of a crime, if their dog attacks someone. 3.1624, eff. Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. The animal shelter said it spotted a dog showing signs of distemper on Thursday, so they immediately tested the dog and euthanized it at the direction of a BARC veterinarian to prevent the spread of the disease. DENIAL OR REVOCATION OF CERTIFICATE OF REGISTRATION; APPEAL. Phone: 903-590-2840. 678, Sec. 99, Sec. 826.012. 14, eff. Sept. 1, 1989. Defense to prosecution if person is a veterinarian, peace officer, or is employed to deal with animals. 7, eff; May 5, 1995. (d) A person is exempt from the requirements of this section if the person is caring for, treating, or transporting an animal for which the person holds a Class "A" or Class "B" dealer's license or a Class "C" exhibitor's license issued by the secretary of agriculture of the United States under the Animal Welfare Act (7 U.S.C. Added by Acts 2017, 85th Leg., R.S., Ch. Sept. 1, 1999. (a) An animal control authority for the area in which the dog is kept shall annually register a dangerous dog if the owner: (A) liability insurance or financial responsibility, as required by Section 822.042; (B) current rabies vaccination of the dangerous dog; and, (C) the secure enclosure in which the dangerous dog will be kept; and. (b) It is a defense to prosecution under Section 822.005(a) that the person is an employee of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice or a law enforcement agency and trains or uses dogs for law enforcement or corrections purposes and is training or using the dog in connection with the person's official capacity. 822.013. The authority shall seize the dog or order its seizure and shall provide for the impoundment of the dog in secure and humane conditions until the court orders the disposition of the dog. 822.0012. Acts 1989, 71st Leg., ch. A compliance dismissal allows the animal owner to submit the proof of compliance directly to the court and bypass going in front of the judge. Domestic Animals Cats, dogs and ferrets If you were bitten by a cat, dog, or ferret that appeared healthy at the time you were bitten, it can be confined by its owner for 10 days and observed. There is a 2-dog limit for homes without a fenced or enclosed back yard, and a 3-dog limit for dogs kept in an enclosed or fenced back yard. April 2, 2015. Rabies is a deadly virus with elevated levels in central Texas. (a) A person commits an offense if the person intentionally: (1) fails or refuses to register a dog required to be registered under this subchapter; (2) fails or refuses to allow a dog to be killed when ordered by the proper authorities to do so; or. Sec. Any person who is directly harmed or threatened with harm by a violation of this subchapter or a failure to enforce this subchapter may sue an owner of a dangerous wild animal to enjoin a violation of this subchapter or to enforce this subchapter. 1 (S.B. Added by Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. 536 (S.B. Any law-enforcement officer or animal control officer who (i) has reason to believe that an animal is a dangerous dog and (ii) is located in the jurisdiction where the animal resides or in the jurisdiction where the act was committed may apply to a magistrate for the issuance of a summons requiring the owner, if known, to appear before a general 3.1639(121), eff. (a) A person who knows of an animal bite or scratch to an individual that the person could reasonably foresee as capable of transmitting rabies, or who knows of an animal that the person suspects is rabid, shall report the incident or animal to the local rabies control authority of the county or municipality in which the person lives, in which the animal is located, or in which the exposure occurs. Sec. At FindLaw.com, we pride ourselves on being the number one source of free legal information and resources on the web. Sept. 1, 1997. (c) An offense under this section is a Class B misdemeanor if it is shown on the trial of the offense that the defendant has previously been convicted under this section. Sec. REPORTS OF RABIES. May 5, 1995. 1 (S.B. 669 (H.B. April 2, 2015. Added by Acts 1991, 72nd Leg., ch. 1 (S.B. Sec. (b) Registration is valid for one year from the date of registration. Sec. A healthy dog, cat, or ferret that bites a person should be confined and observed daily for 10 days. Sec. Amended by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend a 10-day quarantine to combat this. Acts 1989, 71st Leg., ch. 1002, Sec. 14.810, eff. In this subchapter: (1) "Animal control authority" means 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 that does not have an animal control office. May 5, 1995. (d) A suit or other proceeding may be brought against: (2) the parent, guardian, or other person legally responsible for the support of the recipient; or. 99, Sec. (1) the name, address, and telephone number of the applicant; (2) a complete identification of each animal, including species, sex, age, if known, and any distinguishing marks or coloration that would aid in the identification of the animal; (3) the exact location where each animal is to be kept; (A) all information in the application is complete and accurate; and, (B) the applicant has read this subchapter and that all facilities used by the applicant to confine or enclose the animal comply with the requirements of this subchapter; and. RELEASE OR DISPOSITION OF QUARANTINED ANIMAL. Each animal with respect to which there is a violation and each day that a violation continues is a separate offense. CERTIFICATE OF REGISTRATION APPLICATION. 3, eff. Remember, state dog bite laws are a combination of local and state laws and are subject to change. (b) An owner of a dangerous wild animal shall immediately notify the animal registration agency and the local law enforcement agency of any escape of the animal. 3.1621, eff. If the owner had reason to know the dog was vicious, then the owner is liable for all damages caused. BALLOT PROPOSITION. Sec. This chapter and the rules adopted by the executive commissioner under this chapter are the minimum standards for rabies control. if (document.images) {document.images[id].src=eval(name+".src"); } Please try again. 1 (S.B. Sec. http://www.statutes.legis.state.tx.us/Docs/HS/htm/HS.826.htm#826.042 (b) Not later than the 10th day after the date a person receives a certificate of registration, the person shall file a clear and legible copy of the certificate of registration with the Department of State Health Services. (b) An offense under this section is a felony of the third degree unless the attack causes death, in which event the offense is a felony of the second degree. (b) A veterinarian who vaccinates a dog or cat against rabies shall issue to the animal's owner a vaccination certificate in a form that meets the minimum standards approved by the executive commissioner. PROVISION OF VACCINE AND SERUM. https://texas.public.law/statutes/tex._health_and_safety_code_section_826.042. Sept. 1, 1989. REPORTING OF INCIDENT IN CERTAIN COUNTIES AND MUNICIPALITIES. 678, Sec. (d) The enforcing agency shall deposit the fees collected in the treasury of the enforcing agency. (e) Notwithstanding any other law, a county court or a county court at law has jurisdiction to hear an appeal filed under this section. Copyright 2023, Thomson Reuters. 319), Sec. (3) provide the animal's owner a copy of the signed written statement obtained under Subdivision (2). The agency said the dog was euthanized following a 10-day bite quarantine and that the decision was made prior to a planned rally outside of the HRA in Northwest D.C. Last week, 7News reported that several other rescues had offered to take Marley. Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 4, eff. (a) The commissioners court of a county may adopt ordinances or rules that establish a local rabies control program in the county and set local standards that are compatible with and equal to or more stringent than the program established by this chapter and the department rules adopted under this chapter. 1, eff. The dogs that killed an elderly man in San Antonio, Texas "snapped" at family members after a stint with pet services before last week's fatal attack, the family said. 826.025. Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. May 5, 1995. Visit our attorney directory to find a lawyer near you who can help. for rabies. 822.110. 2, eff. April 2, 2015. 916, Sec. 1 (S.B. (b) Except as provided by Subsection (c), an offense under this section is a Class C misdemeanor. 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. 669 (H.B. (B) under restraint by closed cage or paddock or in any other manner approved by department rule. April 2, 2015. Section 2131 et seq.) The veterinarian or local rabies control authority may bring suit to collect those costs. 916, Sec. PETITION FOR ELECTION. September 1, 2007. 1 (S.B. In this subchapter: (1) "Dog or coyote" includes a crossbreed between a dog and a coyote. 2, eff. } California State law requires that any domestic mammal that has bitten a person, or that has potentially been exposed to rabies through contact with a wild animal, be quarantined and observed for signs of rabies infection. (b) The election shall be held on the first authorized uniform election date prescribed by the Election Code that allows sufficient time to comply with other requirements of law. The county or municipality within whose jurisdiction the facility is located shall pay the cost of relocating the animals to an approved shelter. (b) The executive commissioner shall adopt rules necessary to effectively administer this chapter. 3.2 VACCINATIONS: The owner of a dog or cat shall have the animal vaccinated against rabies . 826.042. Sec. Feb. 24, 2023 Updated: Feb. 25, 2023 3:08 p.m. 3. (a) Except as otherwise provided by department rule, the owner of a dog or cat shall have the animal vaccinated against rabies by the time the animal is four months of age and at regular intervals thereafter as prescribed by department rule. 1, eff. Amended by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. . (2) the requirements for animal control officer training adopted under Chapter 829. GENERAL POWERS AND DUTIES OF EXECUTIVE COMMISSIONER AND DEPARTMENT. 3.1600, eff.