Richland Hills, Texas

§ 6-80 Tethering of dogs.

(a) A person commits an offense if he uses a rope, tether, leash, coated cable, or other device to attach a dog to a stationary object or trolley system. This section does not prohibit a person from walking a dog with a hand-held leash.

(b) It is a defense to prosecution under this section that:

(1) The dog is being tethered during a lawful animal event, veterinary treatment, grooming, training, or law enforcement activity;

(2) The dog tethering 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;

(3) The dog tethering is due to an emergency situation and the dog is tethered for less than one hour within a 24-hour period; or

(4) The dog tethering:

a. Occurs while the dog is within the owner’s direct physical control; and

b. Prevents the dog from advancing to the edge of any public right-of-way.

c. The defenses under this section are only available if the following specifications are met:

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

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

(3) The rope, tether, leash, coated cable, or other device does not exceed one-twentieth of the dog’s body weight;

(4) The rope, tether, leash, coated 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.