If you live in Dallas, you already know there are dogs everywhere. Dallas is a huge city with more than 1.3 million people, and tons of families have pets.
The city has whole neighborhoods like Oak Lawn, East Dallas, and Lake Highlands, where you can hear dogs barking when you walk down the street. Dallas even has special dog parks, like White Rock Lake Dog Park, where dogs run around without leashes.
In Texas, dog owners can be held responsible if their dog bites someone. If you’ve ever thought about what would happen if you or someone you know got bitten, then you need to get in touch with a dog bite lawyer in Dallas.
Texas Dog Bite Laws Overview
Texas doesn’t have one giant law just for dog bites. Instead, it uses something called the One-Bite Rule. What this means is that if a dog has never bitten anyone before, the owner might not be automatically in trouble the first time it happens. The law gives the owner a chance to learn that their dog can be dangerous. But once the dog shows it is aggressive, then the owner is expected to control it from then on.
Furthermore, if the owner already knew the dog was dangerous, or if the dog had bitten someone before, the owner can be held fully responsible. That means paying for the victim’s medical bills, lost work time, and even pain and suffering. In some cases, the owner might also face criminal charges.
Texas also operates on the strict liability code. That means the owner is automatically responsible even if they didn’t do anything wrong. If their dog hurts someone, the owner must pay. So, you can see, it’s not just one simple answer. It depends on the dog’s past, the owner’s behavior, and what happened during the bite.
The 10-Day Quarantine Rule
The 10-day quarantine or observation rule is strict. Every dog, cat, or ferret that bites someone must be quarantined for ten whole days. This is because rabies doesn’t show right away. If the dog is still healthy after ten days, then the victim doesn’t have to worry about rabies from that bite.
If the dog dies or shows signs of rabies during that time, then the brain must be tested at a lab. For wild animals like bats, foxes, or raccoons, there’s no quarantine. They are usually euthanized right away and tested because they are considered high risk.
Dangerous Dog Laws in Texas
Texas has a specific label called a dangerous dog. When a dog is called “dangerous,” the owner must follow a bunch of strict rules. They can’t just pretend nothing happened. First, they must register the dog on a special list, which comes with a fine.
After that, they can’t just let the dog run around free anymore. The dog must always be on a leash or inside a strong fence so it can’t escape. On top of that, the owner must buy this huge insurance plan that’s worth at least $100,000.
That’s so if the dog bites someone again, the money will be there to cover hospital bills and stuff. If the owner doesn’t follow these rules, they can get in big trouble with the law.
Key Takeaways
1. One-Bite Rule: In Texas, a dog owner might not be liable the first time their dog bites—unless they already knew the dog was dangerous.
2. Strict Liability: If the dog has a history of aggression, the owner is fully responsible for injuries and may even face criminal charges.
3. 10-Day Quarantine: Any dog that bites a person must be quarantined for 10 days to monitor for rabies symptoms.
4. Dangerous Dog Rules: If a dog in Dallas is labeled dangerous, the owner must register it, keep it secured, and carry at least $100,000 in liability insurance.
