Texas City, Texas

March 7, 2007

Dogs may not be tethered to a stationary object, but this does not prohibit the use of overhead run lines.

ARTICLE II. – DOGS AND CAT

Sec. 18-46. – Prohibition against the chaining or tethering of dogs and mandating that dog enclosures must provide 150 square feet of space.

(a) Any person owning and/or controlling dogs whether vaccinated or unvaccinated licensed or unlicensed, shall not allow said animal to be tied or chained to dog houses, or other stationary objects.

(b) No person shall, at any time, fasten, chain, or tie any dog or cause such dog to be fastened, chained or tied while such dog is on the dog owner’s property, or on the property of the dog owner’s landlord, or on any property within the limits of the City of Texas City.

(c) Any dog confined within a fenced yard must have an adequate space for exercise based on a dimension of at least 150 square feet per dog. Provided, further that where dogs are kept or housed on property without a fenced yard, the owner of such dogs or persons have custody of such dogs shall provide an enclosure for such dogs meeting the 150 square foot per dog dimensions. Such enclosure shall be constructed of chain link or similar type materials with all four sides enclosed. The enclosure shall be sufficient height to prevent the dog from escaping from such enclosure. The top of such enclosure shall be covered with materials to provide the dog with shade and protection from the elements.

(d) Nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit owners or others walking dogs with a hand held leash.

(e) Nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit owners from allowing dogs to be attached to over head runs (i.e. leash or chain attached to an over head wire at least ten feet long, that allows the dog to move unheeded.)

If any person violates any provision of this section, it shall constitute a misdemeanor and upon conviction shall be subject to a fine in accordance with the general penalties set forth in chapter 1, section 1-7 of the Code of Ordinances.

(Ord. No. 07-13, § 1, 3-7-2007)