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Adopt a Pet Responsible Pet Ownership How You Can Help? Advertise Here Links and Resources Dallas Animal Services  
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Your Pet: Your Responsibilities Be a responsible pet owner. It’s good for your pet, and it’s the law in Dallas! Our jobs as pet owners don’t end when we put out the food and scoop the litter. When we adopt a pet, we’re adding a
four-legged member to the family. And, like any family member, our new pet will be happier and better behaved if we
treat it with love, kindness and compassion. Plus, like other cities, Dallas regulates the ownership of cats, dogs and other animals. These laws are contained in Chapter 7 of the City Code, and enforced by Dallas Animal Services and the Dallas Police Department. Depending on the violation, penalties can range from citations to fines, and even prison sentences for felony animal-cruelty convictions. Vaccination and Registration ~ Dogs and cats must be vaccinated against rabies and wear a City of Dallas registration tag. Dallas Animal Services will issue your pet’s tag when you provide the vaccination certificate from your veterinarian. The annual registration fee is $7 for spayed or neutered animals, and $30 for unaltered animals. Senior citizens may register up to three (3) altered animals at no charge. Spaying and Neutering ~ Dogs and cats six (6) months or older must be spayed or neutered, with certain exceptions as outlined in Chapter 7. If you have an Intact Animal Permit for an animal, it does not have to be sterilized. The requirements for an Intact Animal Permit are outlined in Chapter 7; the permit costs $70 per animal, per year. Confining Your Pet ~ Animals must be confined to their owners’ property. If your dog is confined outside, even for just a short time, it must have a fenced yard or other structure that will prevent it from escaping. Within this area, each adult dog must have at least 150 square feet of space. Also, each dog must have access to food, shelter and water. It is against the law to chain or tether a dog. Pet cats are always safer and healthier indoors! Pet Limits ~ Pet owners living in a single-family, detached house may have up to six (6) cats, dogs or a combination of cats and dogs. If you live in an apartment, condominium, or other residence with a common wall, the limit is four (4). Walking and Riding With Your Dog ~ When you’re walking your dog, always have it on a leash – even in a public park. It’s against the law to walk your dog off-leash unless you’re at a specifically designated dog park. And remember your “doggie bags” – since dogs can’t scoop their own poop, their humans are required to do it! Also, it’s against the law to carry an animal in a flat-bed or pick-up truck unless the animal is in a carrier that’s secured as outlined in Chapter 7. Selling or Auctioning Animals ~ It is against the law to sell, raffle or auction a live animal as a prize. This includes roadside sales of puppies, kittens and other animals, as well as any type of raffle, drawing or other fundraising event. Animal Abandonment ~ It is against the law to abandon an animal. Stray or unwanted animals can be taken to Dallas Animal Services at any hour of the day. After hours, animals can be left in one of the secure drop-off cages at the shelter. Animal Cruelty ~ Animal cruelty is a felony in Texas. Dallas Animal Services enforces state statutes as well as city laws against animal abuse, neglect, abandonment and cruelty. For example, it is against the law to poison cats and dogs, including baiting them with antifreeze. If you suspect animal neglect, please report it to 3-1-1. If you witness animal abuse, report it to 9-1-1. Dangerous Dogs ~ The City can impose additional requirements on owners of dangerous dogs, including the removal or destruction of a dog that has killed or seriously injured a human. Dallas Animal Services conducts hearings and administers penalties and restrictions in dangerous dog cases.  Dallas Animal Services1818 N. Westmoreland Rd. • Dallas, TX 75212 214.670.8246 Adoption Desk 214.671.0249 www.DallasAnimalServices.org Please call, visit or go on-line to learn more about adoptable animals, volunteer opportunities and further information on Dallas laws. Code violations should be reported to 3-1-1; animal abuse should be reported to 9-1-1. |
