Alvarado, Texas

§ 6-115 Tethered animals.

(a) It shall be unlawful for an owner of an animal, or a person who has custody or control of an animal, to leave an animal outside by use of a restraint that unreasonably limits the animal’s movement. In this section, a restraint unreasonably limits an animal’s movement if the restraint:

(1) Is not attached to a properly fitting collar;

(2) Uses a collar that is pinch-type, prong-type, or choke-type;

(3) Is not attached to a trolley or cable run system with swivels at each end that allows motion without entanglement;

(4) Uses a chain, rope, leash cable, tether or other device directly around an animal’s neck;

(5) Uses a chain, rope, leash cable, tether or other device that weighs more than one eighth of the animal’s body weight;

(6) Uses a chain, rope, leash cable, tether or other device that is a length shorter than the greater of:

a. Five times the length of the dog, as measured from the tip of the dog’s nose to the base of the dog’s tail; or

b. Ten feet;

(7) Allows the animal to advance beyond the owner’s premises;

(8) Creates a potentially dangerous situation for a person or another animal;

(9) Confines the animal to an area where the animal is subject to harassment, stings, or bites from outdoor insects or attacks by other animals;

(10) Confines the animal to an area where the animal does not have access to water, food, shelter from the elements; or

(11) Causes injury to the animal.

(b) Notwithstanding subsection (a) of this section it shall be unlawful to leave an animal outside and unattended by use of a chain or tether:

(1) Between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m.;

(2) Within 500 feet of the premises of a school;

(3) In the case of extreme weather conditions in which:

a. The actual temperature or wind chill temperature is below 32 degrees Fahrenheit;

b. A heat advisory has been issued by state or local authorities; or

c. A hurricane, tropical storm or tornado warning has been issued for the area by the National Weather Service.