Safe Outdoor Dogs Act takes effect in Texas Jan. 18

The Safe Outdoor Dogs Act takes effect on January 18, 2022. Do you need to do anything to be in compliance? Let’s explore.

This act defines things like shelter and standards of care, which provides a baseline for police and animal control. These are minimum standards. If you can do better, please make sure you do.

You must provide adequate shelter for your outdoor dog. Adequate shelter is defined as protecting dogs from extreme temperatures, inclement weather, and standing water.

You must provide access to drinkable water.

You must use a safe restraint. Chains are NOT safe, and are not permitted. 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.

Officers can take immediate action to help tethered dogs in distress from now on. 

There are exceptions. This act does not apply to dogs who are:

- Attached to a cabe-tie out or trolley system

- Camping or using other public recreational areas

- Herding livestock or assisting with farming tasks

- Hunting or participating in field trials

- Om am p[em-air truck bed while the owner completes a temporary task

If you need links to highly rated cable tie-outs and trolley systems, please go to this link: https://www.thln.org/a_brand_new_day The link also provides other information that can help you provide adequate shelter. If you need help, please contact Cameron’s Animal Control Officer, Sandra Ritch, for guidance. Rockdale’s Animal Control Officer, Luanne Schenk, may be able to help as well. If you live in the county and need guidance, please contact Milam Touch of Love at info@milamtouchoflove.org