New law on tethering dogs starts Tuesday || Here's what our local officials have to say - eParisExtra.com
Outdoor dogs have more protection from negligence thanks to a new, updated law regarding tethering a dog in Texas. The new law takes effect Tuesday, Jan. 18, 2022.
Last year, the State legislature passed Senate Bill 5, also known as the Safe Outdoor Dogs Act, during the third special session. In it, people are banned from using heavy chains to restrain a dog. Additionally, people are required to provide adequate shelter from rain, hail, sleet, snow, high winds, and extreme high and low temperatures. This law also mandates that restraints must be properly sized, without weights, and allow for proper breathing, and that a restrained dog must also have 10 feet of space for movement, or five times the length of the dog from nose to tail.
Notably, one of the biggest things is that officers no longer have to wait a 24-hour period before addressing any violation. This allows law enforcement officers to address critical and dangerous situations immediately.
“Paris Police Officers and Animal Control Officers have discretion in how they enforce this ordinance/state law,” said Paris Police Chief Richard Salter. “That discretion allows them latitude in issuing verbal/written warnings or citations. If officers believe that a situation can be resolved with a dog owner (in the interest of the dog) with a verbal or written warning, then that will be their call. If they think a citation is needed to obtain compliance by the owner, they will issue a citation. If a dog is being neglected or abused, the officers/ ACOs have the option of applying to the court for a seizure warrant to take protective custody of the dog. If a person fails to comply with the law after receiving a warning, they will be cited. First-time offenses will be handled in Paris Municipal Court as Class-C Misdemeanors. Subsequent violations will be filed in County Court in accordance with the statute.”
In fact, first-time offenders can be fined up to $500, and repeat offenders can face jail time, according to state law.
“If they have a previous conviction under this new law, the offense is a Class-B Misdemeanor, which is punishable by a fine not to exceed $2,000 or confinement in jail not to exceed 180 days – or a combination of both,” Lamar County Sheriff Chief Deputy Tommy Moore added.
With the possibility of an increase of animals being confiscated and taken to Paris Animal Shelter, Salter said he is “in the process of exploring additional options (aside from Lamar County Humane Association) which could increase adoption rates.”
LCHA President Keith Flowers also responded to this new, updated law.
“LCHA will work very hard to place any increase in intake due to this new law, either in local adoptive homes or to no-kill rescues,” Flowers said. “This law may have consequences as far as increasing the number of dogs coming into the shelter, although I don’t think it will be an insurmountable number. However, I fully support the new law. I think it is time for such a law to be enacted and think it will have a positive impact on the horrible living conditions that some dogs have had to endure.”
Lamar County Sheriff Scott Cass said very few animal complaints are made to the sheriff’s office regarding the tethering of dogs.
“Very few animal complaints made to the Sheriff’s Office involve tethering issues,” Cass said. “When that does occur, it is usually associated with inclement weather where the lack of shelter and food is the main complaint.”
Cass went on to say that all animal complaints investigated by the sheriff’s office involving seizures occur through the JP Court.
“Lamar County is fortunate to have animal rescue groups and a city animal shelter that assist the sheriff’s office with impounds of these seized animals,” Cass explained. “We would like to remind those with pets that, as the days fleet into the colder months, they should take the necessary precautions to ensure their pet stays sheltered properly and is warm, dry, fed, and watered.”
Click here to view the full copy of the bill.
Scroll down to read the City of Paris’ updated ordinance.
source: https://eparisextra.com/regional-news/new-law-on-tethering-dogs-starts-tuesday-heres-what-our-local-officials-have-to-say/
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