822.104. Visit our attorney directory to find a lawyer near you who can help. (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. (2) ordinances or rules adopted under this chapter by a county or municipality within whose jurisdiction the act occurs. Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 3.1607, eff. Sec. Dogs, Cats and Ferrets that Bite People: Q&A and Recommendations . window.status = msgStr; 7, 2021). 822.007. 826.041. 3.1613, eff. 219), Sec. May 17, 1999. Sept. 1, 1989. September 1, 2007. 219), Sec. Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 678, Sec. Sept. 1, 1997. FindLaw.com Free, trusted legal information for consumers and legal professionals, SuperLawyers.com Directory of U.S. attorneys with the exclusive Super Lawyers rating, Abogado.com The #1 Spanish-language legal website for consumers, LawInfo.com Nationwide attorney directory and legal consumer resources. 1 (S.B. 1, eff. Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. While we strive to provide the most current information available, please consult an attorney or conduct your own legal research to verify the state law(s) you are researching. 7, eff. Texas laws pertaining to rabies vaccinations for animals: Texas Health and Safety Code, Chapter 826, Rabies Control Act Texas Administrative Code, Ch. ELECTION RESULT. Texas doesn't have a civil liability law specifically for dog bites, but that doesn't mean you won't be liable if your dog bites someone. (a) The executive commissioner shall adopt rules governing the types of facilities that may be used to quarantine animals. In the Marshall case, Paul Marshall sued John Ranne for damages suffered when Ranne's boar severely injured his hand. (a) The executive commissioner by rule shall establish caging requirements and standards for the keeping and confinement of a dangerous wild animal to ensure that the animal is kept in a manner and confined in a primary enclosure that: (1) protects and enhances the public's health and safety; (3) provides a safe, healthy, and humane environment for the animal. 1, eff. Renumbered from Health & Safety Code Sec. Section 2131 et seq.) 219), Sec. Overview of Texas Dog Bite Law There are a number of causes of action available to the victim of a dog attack in Texas. 1, eff. An elderly man is dead and his wife is in critical condition after the couple was mauled by dogs in a West Side neighborhood Friday afternoon. (a) This section applies only to an incorporated municipality that has a population of more than 1,000 and that is the county seat of a county with a population of less than 1,600. Amended by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. RELOCATION OR DISPOSITION OF ANIMAL. April 2, 2015. (2) "Livestock" includes exotic livestock as defined by Section 161.001, Agriculture Code. Amended by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 44, Sec. Costs or fees recovered under this subsection shall be credited to the operating account from which payment for the animal registration agency's expenditures was made. 822.116. (5) any other information the animal registration agency may require. 1, eff. 826.021, TAC-169.29, CD6-Sec. 219), Sec. Amended by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 1355), Sec. 1069, Sec. 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. The log must: (3) describe the type or nature of treatment; and. The owner or person having control of a dog at least six months of age in a county adopting this subchapter may not allow the dog to run at large unless the dog: (1) is registered under this subchapter with the county in which the dog runs at large; and. Please make sure your pets are vaccinated against this terrible disease. Sept. 1, 1991. 1069, Sec. Acts 1989, 71st Leg., ch. 1 (S.B. Sec. (c) When a court issues an order to a facility to cease operation, the local rabies control authority shall remove all animals housed in the facility to a shelter approved by the department. 2, eff. (d) The county treasurer shall record the registration of a dog, including the age, breed, color, sex, and registration date of the dog. 1355), Sec. If after biting the person the animal exhibits any abnormal behavior, the law enforcement agency and the animal's handler or rider shall make the animal available within a reasonable time for testing by the local health authority. (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. Sept. 1, 1991. A man was killed and a woman critically injured in a "horrific" dog attack in Texas on Friday, authorities said. 3.1599, eff. 2, eff. (2) "Serious bodily injury" means an injury characterized by severe bite wounds or severe ripping and tearing of muscle that would cause a reasonably prudent person to seek treatment from a medical professional and would require hospitalization without regard to whether the person actually sought medical treatment. 1420, Sec. (d) The quarantine remains in effect until the 181st day after the date on which the last case of rabies is diagnosed in a dog, cat, or other animal species that caused the department or its designee to declare a quarantine, unless the department or its designee, by declaration, removes the quarantine before that date. Sec. (a) The commissioners court of each county and the governing body of each municipality shall designate an officer to act as the local rabies control authority for the purposes of this chapter. 976 (S.B. (2) administers or supervises the administration of rabies vaccine as part of a local rabies control program established by a county or municipality under this chapter. 1355), Sec. 822.115. Sec. (a) This section applies only to an incorporated municipality that has a population of more than 1,000 and that is the county seat of a county with a population of less than 1,600. (5) "Owner" means any person who owns, harbors, or has custody or control of a dangerous wild animal. The average cost per claim decreased 1 percent in 2021 to $49,025 from $49,558 in 2020. 1, eff. Sec. September 1, 2007. 536 (S.B. 678, Sec. Defense to prosecution if person is a veterinarian, peace officer, or is employed to deal with animals. (b) In accordance with department rules and eligibility standards, the department is entitled to be reimbursed by or on behalf of the person receiving the vaccine or serum for actual costs incurred in providing the vaccine or serum. 826.033. (b) An offense under this section is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not more than $100, confinement in the county jail for not more than 30 days, or both. 678, Sec. 1, eff. 1, eff. 1740), Sec. The information contained in the certificate or record may not include the social security number or the driver's license number of the owner of the vaccinated animal. April 2, 2015. (C) the selling, trading, bartering, or auctioning of a dangerous wild animal or a dangerous wild animal's body parts. (a) A person commits an offense if the person operates a facility for quarantined or impounded animals that fails to meet standards for approval established by: (2) ordinances or rules adopted under this chapter by a county or municipality. Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. (c) An owner of a dangerous wild animal that escapes is liable for all costs incurred in apprehending and confining the animal. Animal Control Handbook. 822.013. Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. June 15, 2007. (a) A person aggrieved by an action of the department in amending, limiting, suspending, or revoking any approval required of the department by this chapter may request a hearing. DEFINITIONS. 826.032. September 1, 2021. 1, eff. (d) A decision of a county court or county court at law under this section may be appealed in the same manner as an appeal for any other case in a county court or county court at law. (f) It is an affirmative defense to prosecution under Section 822.005(a) that, at the time of the conduct charged, the person and the dog are participating in an organized search and rescue effort at the request of law enforcement. A governmental entity or person that receives the information, including a county or municipality that registers dogs and cats under Subchapter D, must maintain the confidentiality of the information, may not disclose the information under Chapter 552, Government Code, and may not use the information for a purpose that does not directly relate to the protection of public health and safety. (b) This subchapter does not require a municipality that does not have an animal control office to create that office. Since the owner of a dog that bites you may be strictly liable for your injuries, you don't have to prove negligence. 822.0424. April 2, 2015. 1, eff. Once a dog has bitten someone, and a report has been filed, California law regarding dog bites mandates that the dog be quarantined. Sept. 1, 1989. 1 (S.B. DENIAL OR REVOCATION OF CERTIFICATE OF REGISTRATION; APPEAL. Criminal negligence or previously determined dangerous dog (Texas H&S 822.05): Attack by a dog determined to be dangerous (Texas H&S 822.044): Note: State laws are always subject to change through the passage of new legislation, rulings in the higher courts (including federal decisions), ballot initiatives, and other means. (a) A person commits an offense if the person violates or attempts to violate a department rule adopted under Section 826.045 governing an area rabies quarantine. A few days later, the shelter reported that they had received positive test results. Sec. 826.0211. REGISTRATION. One Bite Rule 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. IAdminfootr01a_01_01 = new Image(52, 28);IAdminfootr01a_01_01.src = '/images/home_nav.gif'; Sept. 1, 2003. (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. Vaccines are meant to prevent illness and disease in your dog, but the effects aren't permanent. Sec. 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 (S.B. 219), Sec. Sec. The Texas Supreme Court articulated the law and standards that Texas follows for animal attacks in a case called Marshall v. Ranne. 2283), Sec. (b) The animal control authority shall provide to the owner registering a dangerous dog a registration tag. In addition, 2, eff. (c) The rules adopted under Subsection (b)(2) may include conditions for the restraint of carnivorous animals and the transportation of carnivorous animals into and out of the quarantine area. Sec. (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. 1, eff. April 2, 2015. 1420, Sec. INSPECTION. 3.1616, eff. We will always provide free access to the current law. (2) Repealed by Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. (a) A person commits an offense if the person violates Section 822.103(a), Section 822.106, or Section 822.110(a) or (b). (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. April 2, 2015. 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. 822.033 and amended by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. A veterinarian performing duties under this chapter is not liable to the owner of an animal for the death of or injury to the animal except in a case of wilful misconduct or gross negligence. The authority may provide for the impoundment of the dog in secure and humane conditions until the court orders the disposition of the dog. 822.002 and amended by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. Sec. 678, Sec. Sec. According to city ordinance, when a dog or other animal bites a human and breaks the skin, both the bite victim and the animal owner must contact Garland Animal Services. 822.102. 1, eff. (b) The executive commissioner by rule shall establish minimum standards for impoundment facilities and for the care of impounded animals. 219), Sec. September 1, 2017. } LOCAL RABIES CONTROL PROGRAMS. VACCINATION; CRIMINAL PENALTY. Biting animal to be confined; veterinarian to report. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend a 10-day quarantine to combat this. Telephone: 214-819-2000 Rabies is a viral neuroinvasive disease transmitted by animals that causes inflammation of the brain. 2, eff. 44, Sec. The governing body of any municipality may at any time by order require that all dogs in such municipality shall be securely confined between sunset and one hour after sunrise during the period of time designated in the order, or, if no time is so designated, until the order is revoked. (4) Repealed by Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 219), Sec. (b) A dog brought into a county for not more than 10 days for breeding purposes, trial, or show is not required to be registered. (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. (b) The suit shall be brought in a district court in the county in which the facility is located. 2. Sept. 1, 1997. If the owner had reason to know the dog was vicious, then the owner is liable for all damages caused. (last accessed Jun. (b) A veterinarian may not administer or directly supervise the administration of rabies vaccine in this state unless the person is: (1) licensed by the State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners to practice veterinary medicine; or. If that finding is not made, the court shall order the dog released to: (2) the person from whom the dog was seized; or. April 2, 2015. June 14, 2001. The email address cannot be subscribed. 54, Sec. (e) It is a defense to prosecution under Section 822.005(a) that the person attacked by the dog was at the time of the attack engaged in conduct prohibited by Chapters 19, 20, 21, 22, 28, 29, and 30, Penal Code. REPORTING OF INCIDENT IN CERTAIN COUNTIES AND MUNICIPALITIES. EXPOSURE REPORT Use this side when PERSONS or DOMESTIC ANIMALS are potentially exposed to rabies by a BAT, COYOTE,FOX, RACCOON or SKUNK. 219), Sec. Civilly, an owner can be held liable if they knew the dog had bitten someone before and did not use "reasonable care" in restraining the dog, said. 219), Sec. Sept. 1, 1989. APPLICABILITY OF SUBCHAPTER. Texas's dog owner liability rule applies to bites and other types of injuries caused by dogs. (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. 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