Watauga, Texas

Sec. 6-292. – Unlawful restraint of dogs.

(a) It shall be unlawful for a person to use a chain, rope, tether, leash, cable or other device to attach a dog to a stationary object or trolley system.

(b) It is an affirmative defense to a violation of subsection (a) of this section that the dog tethering:

(1) Is during a lawful animal event, veterinary treatment, grooming, training or law enforcement activity;

(2) Is required to protect the safety or welfare of a person or the dog, and the dog’s owner maintains direct physical control of the dog; or

(3) Occurs on the owner’s premises:

a. While the dog is within the owner’s direct and immediate physical control; and

b. Prevents the dog from advancing within 15 feet of the edge of any public street.

(c) The affirmative defenses provided in subsection (b) of this section are only available if the following specifications are met:

(1) The chain, rope, tether, leash, cable, or other device is attached to a properly fitted collar or harness worn by the dog;

(2) The chain, rope, tether, leash, cable, or other device is not placed directly around the dog’s neck;

(3) The chain, rope, tether, leash, cable, or other device does not exceed 1/20 of the dog’s body weight;

(4) The chain, rope, tether, leash, cable, or other device, by design and placement, allows the dog a reasonable and unobstructed range of motion without entanglement; and

(5) The dog has access to adequate shelter and clean and wholesome water.

(d) A person commits an offense if the person intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly fails to comply with any provision or requirement of this section. An offense under this section is punishable by a fine in accordance with section 1-7. If a person fails to comply with this section with respect to more than one dog, the person’s conduct with respect to each dog constitutes a separate offense.

(e) This section does not prohibit a person from walking a dog with a hand-held leash.