Police Department

From the Chief                                                                                                        June 13, 2022

I have been getting many complaints about animals (dogs) that are tethered outside.  When this law went into effect January 18, 2022, the news media reported to the public that the new law no longer allowed anyone to tether their dog outside.  What the news media failed to do is adequately inform the public that there were restrictions on how you can legally tether your dog outside. 

The sections of the Texas Health and Safety Code Sections 821.101 and 821.102 provide the legal language of the law, for brevity, I have included the condensed version that provides the public with an understanding of exactly what is allowed by law. 

EFFECTIVE 1.18.22

Sec. 821.102. UNLAWFUL RESTRAINT OF DOG; OFFENSE.
An owner may not leave a dog outside and unattended by use of a restraint unless the owner provides the dog access to: adequate shelter, an area that allows the dog to avoid standing water and exposure to excessive animal waste, shade from direct sunlight and potable water.

An owner may not restrain a dog outside and unattended by use of a restraint that: is a chain, has weights attached, is shorter than the greater of five times the length of the dog, as measured from the tip of the dog’s nose to the base of the dog’s tail; or 10 feet; or is attached to a collar or harness not properly fitted.

A person commits an offense if the person knowingly violates this section. The restraint of each dog that is in violation is a separate offense.

An offense under this section is a Class C misdemeanor, except that the offense is a Class B misdemeanor if the person has previously been convicted under this section.

While we believe this law was desperately needed, it does not prohibit a dog owner from tethering their animals outside, they must now do it humanly with guidelines that adequately protect the animals.   While you may not agree that the law goes far enough, never the less, it is the law as it is written today.  

For Emergencies, please call 911

For dispatch, Call (979)-864-2392 to reach the Brazoria County Sheriffs' Office