Are Any Dog Breeds Considered Dangerous Under Texas Law?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Texas is in the process of enacting breed bans on

pit bulls, Doberman Pinchers and Rottweilers

. The issue of enacting laws to ban or regulate pit bulls, Doberman pinchers and Rottweilers in Texas has landed on the Texas state attorney general’s desk.

What breed of dogs are under the Dangerous dog Act?

Section one of the Dangerous Dogs Act (1991) outlaws four types of dog; the

pitbull terrier, Japanese tosa, dogo Argentino, and fila Brasilerio

. The law makes it illegal to own, sell, breed, give away or abandon one of these types of dog.

Are pitbulls legal in TX?

Breed Specific Laws in Texas


Restricts: pit bulls and American bulldogs

.

What happens if my dog bites another dog in Texas?

Under Texas Law,

the damages you may recover for the loss of a pet are limited to the reasonable cost of the pet unless the animal has some special characteristics that enable it to have a quantifiable value

.

Can you shoot an aggressive dog in Texas?


Texas state law specifically allows for any person witnessing an attack of one dog attacking another animal to kill the attacking dog

. In these situations, the law states that the person who kills the dog is “not liable for damages to the owner, keeper, or person in control of the dog.”

Are Belgian Malinois restricted breed?


Restricted breeds

include the following: Akita, Alaskan Malamute, American Staffordshire Terrier, Bull Terrier, Chow, Doberman Pinscher, German Shepherd, Great Dane, Wolf Hybrid, Husky, Pit Bull, Rottweiler, Beauceron, Belgian Malinois and St. Bernard and all “mixes” of the above breeds.

Are pitbulls banned in Austin TX?

So while Austin isn’t Denver (where

American pit bulls, American Staffordshires, and Staffordshire bull terriers are banned in both the city and county

), there’s nothing stopping private entities from restricting the types of dogs their tenants are allowed to own.

How many dogs can you legally own in Texas?

How many dogs and/or cats are allowed per household? The legal limit is

four dogs or four cats but not to exceed the combined total of six such animals over the age of eight weeks

. 4.

Are pit bulls on the dangerous dogs list?

As a breed,

Pit Bulls are the most dangerous dogs

walking God’s green earth, and for a few reasons. Pits can pose a substantial threat to those around them because many were selectively bred for dogfighting. As such, traits such as aggression and tenacity were highly favored and run in this breed’s blood.

What qualifies as a dangerous dog?

Dangerous dog definition:

Any dog that aggressively attacks in a manner that causes a person to reasonably believe that the dog posed an imminent threat of serious injury to such person or another person although no such injury occurs.

What is an exempted dog?

Index of Exempted Dogs ( IED )


If your dog is banned but the court thinks it’s not a danger to the public, it may put it on the IED and let you keep it

. You’ll be given a Certificate of Exemption. This is valid for the life of the dog. Your dog must be: neutered.

Are there breed restrictions in Texas?


Texas is one of seventeen states that prohibits its municipalities from passing breed-specific legislation (BSL) or breed bans

. Breed bans are laws that prohibit specific breeds of dogs based on characteristics, like the way the dog looks or the shape of its head.

What is Justin’s law?

House lawmakers passed “Justin’s Law,”

a proposal to increase the number of years murderers must serve in prison before a chance at parole

, by 83-11 Tuesday. Under current law, the options are 20-, 25- and 30-year mandatory prison terms. The bill, introduced by Rep.

Are mastiffs considered aggressive breeds?

  • German shepherds.
  • Pit bull terriers.
  • Cane corsos.
  • Rottweilers.
  • Staffordshire terriers.
  • Akitas.
  • Mastiffs.
  • Great Danes.

Can you sue someone for their dog attacking your dog Texas?

The short answer is

yes, you can sue for a dog bite

, but it’s not quite as straightforward as that, at least, not in Texas. You may have heard of the “one bite rule” relating to dogs, meaning the owner is not held liable for the first bite.

Can you sue someone if their dog attacks your dog in Texas?


Texas doesn’t have a civil liability law specifically for dog bites

, but that doesn’t mean you won’t be liable if your dog bites someone. The Texas Supreme Court articulated the law and standards that Texas follows for animal attacks in a case called Marshall v. Ranne.

What can I do if my neighbor’s dog attacked my dog?

  1. Identify the dog’s owner. …
  2. Contact animal control. …
  3. Get treatment for your injuries. …
  4. Gather evidence of the attack. …
  5. Contact an experienced dog bite attorney.

Can I hit a dog if it attacks my dog?


Yes, you can shoot a dog if it is attacking another pet

. However, that pet should fall under the category of “domestic animal.” This includes domestic dogs, cats, chickens, guinea pigs, goats, cattle, and the like.

Can you defend yourself from a dog in Texas?

General requirements of the self-defense doctrine

In general,

a person can kill a dog without penalty if the dog is lethally attacking that person or another person

, and there is no reasonable alternative to killing the dog.

Can you defend your dog from another dog?

In California, people have a statutory right to kill dogs that attack certain listed animals, and

a common-law right to defend their other domestic animals from attack under most circumstances

.

Is a Belgian Malinois considered an aggressive breed?


Belgian Malinois is reserved and aggressive towards strangers

, and it is because they usually have an instinctual nature to guard and protect. That is why when they face someone unfamiliar, they become uncomfortable and tend to increase their distance. They do so by becoming aggressive or running away.

What are aggressive breeds?


Pit Bulls, Dobermans, Rottweilers, Wolf hybrids, Akitas, and German shepherds

are all commonly considered aggressive. Chihuahuas are also notably aggressive, but they rarely cause injury due to their size.

Are Akitas illegal in US?

Akita.

The Akita faces bans in many cities across the United States

. According to the Akita Rescue of the Mid-Atlantic, these dogs “have a reputation for being aggressive.” So, “in any encounter with other dogs or uninformed people, whether your dog was the aggressor or not, expect the Akita to be blamed.”

What is the most vicious dog breed in the world?

  • American Pit Bull Terrier. 1/6. American Pit Bulls are one of the most dangerous dogs and have been banned by many countries in the world. …
  • Rottweiler. 2/6. …
  • German Shepherd. 3/6. …
  • American Bulldog. 4/6. …
  • Bullmastiff. 5/6. …
  • Siberian Husky.

What dogs are banned in Austin Texas?
  • Pit bulls.
  • Rottweilers.
  • Alaskan Malmutes.
  • Siberian Huskies.
  • Doberman Pinschers.
  • Akitas.
  • Terriers.
  • Bulldogs.

How many dogs can you have in Houston?

Dog Ownership Limitations:


10-6

Limits the number of dogs you can own to 4.

Diane Mitchell
Author
Diane Mitchell
Diane Mitchell is an animal lover and trainer with over 15 years of experience working with a variety of animals, including dogs, cats, birds, and horses. She has worked with leading animal welfare organizations. Diane is passionate about promoting responsible pet ownership and educating pet owners on the best practices for training and caring for their furry friends.