Texas law on any date › Health and Safety Code
Health and Safety Code §822.041
In force on Jul 09, 2019 · this text took effect Sep 01, 1991 · same as today's text
DEFINITIONS
In this subchapter:
(1) "Animal control authority" means a municipal or county animal control office with authority over the area where the dog is kept or a county sheriff in an area with no animal control office.
(2) "Dangerous dog" means a dog that:
(A) makes an unprovoked attack on a person that causes bodily injury and occurs in a place other than an enclosure in which the dog was being kept and that was reasonably certain to prevent the dog from leaving the enclosure on its own; or
(B) commits unprovoked acts in a place other than an enclosure in which the dog was being kept and that was reasonably certain to prevent the dog from leaving the enclosure on its own and those acts cause a person to reasonably believe that the dog will attack and cause bodily injury to that person.
(3) "Dog" means a domesticated animal that is a member of the canine family.
(4) "Secure enclosure" means a fenced area or structure that is:
(A) locked;
(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
(E) in conformance with the requirements for enclosures established by the local animal control authority.
(5) "Owner" means a person who owns or has custody or control of the dog.
History: Added by Acts 1991, 72nd Leg., ch. 916, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1991.
Source: the Legislature's file server, seen Nov 08, 2026.
Every version on file
- Effective Sep 01, 1991 · seen Nov 2026–Nov 2026
Attorney General opinions that cite it
- KP-0284 (Jul 09, 2019): Construction of statutes related to procedures for addressing dangerous dogs under chapter 822 of the Health and Safety Code
- KP-0274 (May 06, 2019): Whether provisions of the Dallas City Code regarding dangerous dogs conflict with chapter 822 of the.Health and Safety Code
- GA-0660 (Mar 06, 2008): Whether a municipal courtmay hear compliance applications filed under section 822.042(c) of the Health and Safety Code and appeals of dangerous- dog determinations under section 822.0421(b) ofthe same code
A research copy. The official text is the Legislature's (statutes), the Secretary of State's (Texas Administrative Code) or eCFR's (federal rules). Not legal advice.