Annual Report 2022 May 2023 - Flipbook - Page 18
Keeping Outdoor Dogs Safe
On January 18, 2022, the Safe Outdoor Dogs Act went into effect in
the state of Texas. According to the Texas Humane Legislation Network
(THLN), the Safe Outdoor Dogs Act is a law governing the restraint of
outdoor dogs by:
• Defining adequate shelter to protect dogs from extreme
temperatures, inclement weather, and standing water.
Previously, there was no definition for shelter, thus
tethered dogs routinely perished from exposure.
• Requiring access to drinkable water. Before the Safe
Outdoor Dogs Act, state law did not include this vital
requirement.
• Requiring safe restraints. The Safe Outdoor Dogs Act
strikes the use of chains. Other means of restraint,
such as cable tie-outs, may be used so long as
they are correctly attached to a collar or harness
designed to restrain a dog.
• Removing a 24-hour waiting period
previously required that prevented animal
control or law enforcement officers from
taking immediate action.
The Safe Outdoor Dogs Act does not
prevent owners from tethering dogs,
but does define requirements that
must be met to ensure the dog is
allowed access to adequate
shelter and water and limits
the types of restraints
allowed to be used.
Scan this QR code
to learn more about
the Safe Outdoor
Dogs Act.
