Safe Outdoor Dog Act Passes Texas House and Senate

SB 474 to tighten restrictions on tethering of pets outdoors

Credit: Cris S., Unsplash

The Texas Legislature passed SB 474 the “Safe Outdoor Dog Act”, during the 2021 legislative session, and if signed into law by Gov. Greg Abbott, the bill would establish basic standards of shelter and care for dogs left outdoors. 

SB 474 was authored by Senator Eddie Lucio Jr. (D-Brownsville) and Chair Nicole Collier (D-Dallas) and advocated for by animal welfare groups across Texas, but perhaps none more vehemently than the Texas Humane Legislation Network. THLN Executive Director Shelby Bobosky said the 501(c)(4) nonprofit has been lobbying on behalf of this bill, which strengthens existing legislation, since 2015. 

“We have worked on this legislation for six years and I think the storm in February really lit a fire and helped with the realization that this legislation is needed now more than ever,” says Bobosky. “Our 1-800 hotline was shut down because we received so many calls in February about dogs outside freezing to death. While we worked around the clock with local law enforcement agencies across the state to get those pets help, so many still perished.” 

“We are elated that this bill passed the house and the senate and is on the governor's desk,” Bobosky adds. “We hope that since more than 100 legislators signed onto this bill, and thousands of supporters, Governor Abbot will take this seriously and sign the Safe Outdoor Dog Act into law. With Texas being a leader on so many issues, why shouldn't this be one of them?” 

The Safe Outdoor Dogs Act will reform the hard to enforce Unlawful Restraint of Dogs law that has been in place since 2007. Under the 2007 law, owners cannot keep their dog outside unattended by use of a restraint (1) that reasonably limits the dog's movement between the hours of 10 p.m. and 6 a.m., (2) that is within 500 feet of a school, or (3) when extreme weather conditions are present. The law also outlines what type of collars can be used and the length tethers can be. However, it is almost impossible for local law enforcement agencies to cite anyone in violation of the 2007 law, unless the city has stricter local ordinances in place; because the law requires that law enforcement issue a warning and allow the pet owner 24 hours to remedy the violation before receiving a citation.

However, the Safe Outdoor Dogs Act strikes this 24-hour mandatory waiting period before ticketing those in violation of the law -- making it possible to ensure that pets are properly cared for at all times. The law also requires pet workers to supply outdoor dogs with adequate shelter, water, a collar, prohibits the use of heavy chains as a tethering device, and ensures that pets can move around and are not tethered in an unsafe place such as standing water or mud. 

SB 474 also includes key exemptions for dogs restrained in public places like parks and campgrounds, those used for farming, field trials, and hunting tasks, dogs restrained on a trolley system, and those temporarily unattended in an open-air truck bed. 

“As we know, poor living conditions of animals outside are a safety risk not only for the animals but for the communities in which they live," says bill author Senator Lucio Jr. 

Gov. Abbot will have until June 20th to veto the bill, sign it, or allow it to become law regardless of his signature.