Crockett, Texas

Sec. 4-2.1. – Tethering of animals.

(a) General prohibition on tethering:

(1) It is unlawful for a person to restrain a dog with a tether unless the person is holding the tether, and

(2) The person remains within fifty (50) feet of the dog throughout the period of restraint.

(b) Affirmative defense. It is an affirmative defense to a violation of subsection (a) that the restraint:

(1) Is required to protect the safety or welfare of a person or the dog, if the dog’s owner, or person who otherwise has control over the dog, remains with the dog throughout the period of restraint; or

(2) Occurs on the owner’s premises, and:

a. While the dog is within the direct physical control of the owner or person who otherwise has control over the dog; and

b. While the dog is prevented from being within fifteen (15) feet from the edge of any public street or sidewalk.

(c) Exceptions: The prohibition of subsection (a) does not apply to a temporary restraint:

(1) During a lawful animal event, veterinary treatment, grooming, training, or law enforcement activity.

(d) Restraint specifications. The affirmative defense provided in subsection (b) and exceptions in subsection (c) do not apply unless the restraint meets the following specifications:

(1) The tether is not placed directly around the dog’s neck and is attached to a properly fitting collar or harness worn by the dog;

(2) The tether, by design and placement, is unlikely to become tangled; and

(3) The dog is restrained in a manner that permits access to necessary shelter and water.

(e) Hand-held leashes. This section does not prohibit a person from walking a dog with a hand-held leash.

(f) Dogs running at large strictly prohibited. Nothing in this section authorizes an owner to allow a dog to run at large or to fail to provide appropriate restraint or enclosure as required by sections 4-12 and 4-18 of this chapter.

(g) It shall be unlawful to keep a dog on a tether placed in a manner that makes it possible for the dog to become entangled with the restraint of another animal or of any length which is insufficient to allow the dog complete access to food, water and shelter at all times.

(h) It shall be unlawful to attach a tether to a dog in a manner as to cause injury or discomfort to the dog.

(i) It shall be unlawful for any person to attach a tether to a cat.