New dog law goes into effect January

Dog owners be warned that starting January 2022, it will be illegal for dogs to be chained up outside.

Texas Governor Greg Abbott had signed The Safe Outdoor Dog Act (Senate Bill No. 5) into law October 2021 a law to help protect and ensure humane care for animals. Violators will be punished with a Class C misdemeanor and a fine up to $500.

This act bans the use of chains for tethering dogs. Acceptable humane tethers such as ziplines or trolly systems must be used in place and attached with a proper fitting collar or harness.

The act specifically states that the collar must be made of material specifically designed to be placed around the neck of a dog. The restraint must be no shorter than five times the dog’s length. The law also says that the dog must be protected from any “inclement weather” which includes rain, hail, snow, high winds, low or extremely high temperatures.

San Antonio already has a similar law in place in the city that classifies as a Class B misdemeanor that is punishable up to 180 days in the county jail and a fine up to $2,000.

The state law goes into effect on January 8, 2022.