3, eff. 1355), Sec. 1, eff. (2) It is illegal to transport animals subject to the statewide rabies quarantine from, to . 1, eff. Sec. Sec. Acts 1989, 71st Leg., ch. 822.0011. (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. MINIMUM STANDARDS FOR RABIES CONTROL. 1 (S.B. } (2) reimburse the owner of any sheep, goats, calves, or other domestic animals or fowls killed in the county by a dog not owned by the person seeking reimbursement. SUBCHAPTER C. COUNTY REGISTRATION AND REGULATION OF DOGS. OFFENSE AND PENALTY. 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. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. The Executive Commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) declares a statewide rabies quarantine. 916, Sec. 826.0311. (a) If the animal registration agency finds that an application for an original or renewal certificate of registration under this subchapter does not meet the requirements of Section 822.104 or, after inspection, that an applicant has not complied with this subchapter, the animal registration agency shall deny the applicant a certificate of registration and give the applicant written notice of the denial and the reasons for the denial. 3.1607, eff. keys to navigate, use enter to select, Stay up-to-date with how the law affects your life. Sec. (c) A person may appeal the denial of an original or renewal certificate of registration or the revocation of a certificate of registration to the justice court for the precinct in which the animal is located or the municipal court in the municipality in which the animal is located not later than the 15th day after the date the certificate of registration is denied or revoked. (b) A jurisdiction may not be subject to dual restraint ordinances or rules. The dog that bit a person must be quarantined and observed for a minimum of 10 days to assess if the dog has the rabies virus. Sec. 678, Sec. Acts 1989, 71st Leg., ch. Telephone: 214-819-2000 Rabies is a viral neuroinvasive disease transmitted by animals that causes inflammation of the brain. (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. (b) Notwithstanding the definition in Section 822.001(1), for purposes of this subchapter the police department of a municipality described by Subsection (a) is the animal control authority for the municipality in all areas in which a dog is kept and that are subject to the authority of the police department. 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. 916, Sec. 99, Sec. 669 (H.B. 99, Sec. DISPOSITION OF FEE. Section 826.042 Quarantine of Animals, ATTACK BY ANIMAL; ESCAPE OF ANIMAL; LIABILITY. 3.1598, eff. 822.023. (b) The court shall give written notice of the time and place of the hearing to: (1) the owner of the dog or the person from whom the dog was seized; and. USE AND SALE OF RABIES VACCINE. Amended by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. The governing body of a municipality and the commissioners court of a county may enter into contracts or agreements with public or private entities to carry out the activities required or authorized under this chapter. SUBCHAPTER B. document.returnValue = false; (d) Subject to any limitations or conditions prescribed by the legislature, the department or its designee may seek, receive, and spend funds received through appropriations, grants, or donations from public or private sources for the rabies control program established by this chapter. 1, eff. 7-4.1 (a) (1) Fails to vaccinate cat or dog for rabies. REGISTRATION. 822.114. (a) A party to an appeal under Section 822.0421(d) or a hearing under Section 822.0423 may appeal the decision to a county court or county court at law in the county in which the justice or municipal court is located and is entitled to a jury trial on request. 1, Sec. (2) ordinances or rules adopted under this chapter by a county or municipality within whose jurisdiction the act occurs. 5, eff. DENIAL OR REVOCATION OF CERTIFICATE OF REGISTRATION; APPEAL. April 2, 2015. (4) "Secure enclosure" means a fenced area or structure that is: (B) capable of preventing the entry of the general public, including children; (C) capable of preventing the escape or release of a dog; (D) clearly marked as containing a dangerous dog; and. Acts 2017, 85th Leg., R.S., Ch. 219), Sec. 3.1602, eff. 1, eff. Sec. (a) This subchapter does not affect the applicability of any other law, rule, order, ordinance, or other legal requirement of this state or a political subdivision of this state. (c) To file an appeal under Subsection (b), the owner must: (1) file a notice of appeal of the animal control authority's dangerous dog determination with the court; (2) attach a copy of the determination from the animal control authority; and. Sec. 822.003 by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. Get started on recovering for damages for the dog bite today by having an animal and dog bite attorney in Texas review your case. A county or municipality may place additional requirements or restrictions on dangerous dogs if the requirements or restrictions: (1) are not specific to one breed or several breeds of dogs; and. The violent attack occurred just before 2:00 pm in the 2800 block of Depla Street. Either party may appeal the decision of the justice or municipal court to a county court or county court at law in the county in which the justice or municipal court is located. Section 2131 et seq.) No anti-rabies prophylaxis is needed. 219), Sec. Investigate animal bites on humans and other animals and assure the proper quarantine of these animals . Under certain conditions . 7, eff; May 5, 1995. If there is no English language newspaper of general circulation in the county, the notice shall be posted at the courthouse door for at least one week before the election. Added by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. (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. Sec. Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. Sec. If the owner had reason to know that the dog was dangerous, then the owner is strictly liable for the injury caused. Section 2131 et seq.) 1, eff. Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. Sec. (b) The county judge shall issue a proclamation declaring the result of the election if the vote is in favor of the measure. Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. The fees collected under this section may be used only to administer and enforce this subchapter. Sec. Amended by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. (10) "Rabies" means an acute viral disease of man and animal affecting the central nervous system and usually transmitted by an animal bite. 13, eff. 44, Sec. //help_ftr_01_05 = new Image(38, 28);help_ftr_01_05.src = '/images/help_nav.gif'; 1, eff. 219), Sec. Sec. RELOCATION OR DISPOSITION OF ANIMAL. 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 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. 1, eff. Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 219), Sec. New findings bolster deputies' belief that 3 Crosby teens died in double murder-suicide. 826.025. Most states mandate a 10-day dog bite quarantine because federal law governing testing and vaccination against rabies for animals is insufficient to protect everyone from this highly contagious virus. 1, eff. AREA RABIES QUARANTINE. This chapter may be cited as the Rabies Control Act of 1981. 822.006. 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. SAN ANTONIO Animal Care Services officials say the dogs who were euthanized following the fatal attack of an 81-year-old had at least three prior bite reports. (e) Notwithstanding any other law, a county court or a county court at law has jurisdiction to hear an appeal filed under this section. Sec. This subchapter applies only to a county that adopts this subchapter by a majority vote of the qualified voters of the county voting at an election held under this subchapter. 169, Rabies Control and Eradication Rabies vaccination protocols for animals and people: Rabies Prevention in Texas Oral Rabies Vaccination Program (ORVP): 1562), Sec. then by law it must be euthanized and tested. 678, Sec. 822.112. (e) The department or its designee may compile, analyze, publish, and distribute information relating to the control of rabies for the education of physicians, veterinarians, public health personnel, and the public. 678, Sec. (3) the rules adopted by the executive commissioner under the area rabies quarantine provisions of Section 826.045. September 1, 2007. 822.101. April 2, 2015. Sec. (2) finds that the care and treatment of each animal by the owner meets or exceeds the standards prescribed under this subchapter. (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. 7, 2021). 826.014. Sept. 1, 1997. The authority shall seize the dog or order its seizure and shall provide for the impoundment of the dog in secure and humane conditions. if (document.images) { (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. document.returnValue = true; Sec. HEARING. (d) The filing of an appeal of the denial or revocation of a certificate of registration under Subsection (c) stays the denial or revocation until the court rules on the appeal. (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. 822.108. 1, eff. 1 (S.B. (a) A person commits an offense if: (1) the person fails or refuses to restrain a dog or cat owned by the person; and. Through social Biting animal to be confined; veterinarian to report. The governing body of the municipality or county may prescribe the amount of the fees. 1420, Sec. 3.1613, eff. Sept. 1, 1989. (a) Information that is contained in a municipal or county registry of dogs and cats under Section 826.031 that identifies or tends to identify the owner or an address, telephone number, or other personally identifying information of the owner of the registered dog or cat is confidential and not subject to disclosure under Chapter 552, Government Code. 669 (H.B. 822.027. RESTRAINT; CRIMINAL PENALTY. 219), Sec. (b) This subchapter does not require a municipality that does not have an animal control office to create that office. Sec. (b) Except as restricted by department rule, the officer designated as the local rabies control authority may be the county health officer, municipal health officer, animal control officer, peace officer, or any entity that the commissioners court or governing body considers appropriate.