Little Elm, Texas

Sec. 18-115. – Restraint of animals.

(c) It shall be unlawful for a person to use a chain, rope, tether, leash, cable or other device to attach a dog to a stationary object or trolley system.

(d) It is an affirmative defense to a violation of subsection (d) that the dog tethering:

(1) Is during a lawful animal event, veterinary treatment, grooming, training or law enforcement activity;

(2) 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) Occurs in the direct physical control of the owner in a designated town dog park; or

(4) Occurs on the owner’s premises and:

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

b. Prevents the dog from advancing to within 15 feet of the edge of any public street.

(e) The affirmative defenses provided in subsection (e) are only available if the following specifications are met:

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

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

(3) The chain, rope, tether, leash, cable or other device does not exceed 1/20 th of the dog’s body weight;

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

(f) A person commits an offense if the person fails to comply with this section.

(1) An offense under this section is a class C misdemeanor. If a person fails to comply with this section with respect to more than one dog, the person’s conduct with respect to each dog constitutes a separate offense.

(2) An offense under this section is punishable by a fine not to exceed $2,000.00.

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