Health & Safety Code · §822.041

Animal Cruelty

Animal Cruelty is covered under §822.041 and tested on the TCOLE peace officer licensing exam.

To prove this offense, the State must establish each of the following elements: Register as dangerous with animal control; Restrain in a secure enclosure when on property; Restrain (muzzle + leash) when off property; Liability insurance: $100,000 minimum; Notify of relocation / death.

Elements you must prove

  • Register as dangerous with animal control
  • Restrain in a secure enclosure when on property
  • Restrain (muzzle + leash) when off property
  • Liability insurance: $100,000 minimum
  • Notify of relocation / death

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Worked examples

Worked example 1

Dangerous Dog law under HSC §822.041 — when an animal control authority determines a dog is 'dangerous,' the owner must:

  1. Surrender the dog
  2. Register the dog as dangerous, restrain when on property, restrain when off property (muzzle / leash), obtain liability insurance ($100,000 minimum), and comply with other listed requirements Correct
  3. Euthanize the dog
  4. Move the dog out of state
Why: Dangerous dog determinations create specific owner obligations: registration, restraint, liability insurance, and reporting. Failure can result in seizure of the dog and criminal charges.
Statute: Tex. Health & Safety Code §822.041–822.045

Statutory definitions for this topic

Dangerous dog Tex. Health & Safety Code §822.041–822.045
A dog determined to be dangerous by animal control authority — based on unprovoked attack causing bodily injury or unprovoked acts in unsecured area causing reasonable belief of imminent attack. Owners must register, restrain, and carry $100,000 liability insurance.