What is Texas Health and Safety Code Section 822?
Texas Health and Safety Code Section 822 is the state statute that establishes criteria for dangerous dog determinations, sets owner duties after such findings, and prescribes criminal penalties for violations.
Section 822 of the Texas Health and Safety Code is the primary state law governing how municipalities and animal control authorities identify and regulate dogs deemed dangerous. The statute sets out the legal standard for what constitutes a dangerous dog in Texas, typically based on the animal's history of attacks, injuries inflicted, or threat posed to public safety.
Once a dog is formally designated as dangerous under Section 822, the owner faces specific legal duties. These include obtaining liability insurance, posting warning signs, maintaining secure containment, and complying with local quarantine or registration requirements. Failure to meet these obligations exposes the owner to criminal liability.
The statute also establishes penalties for owners who violate its provisions. These may include fines, criminal charges, or orders to remove or confine the animal. Section 822 applies statewide, though local ordinances in cities and counties may impose additional restrictions beyond the state baseline.
For dog bite injury victims or those facing dangerous dog determinations, understanding Section 822 is essential. The statute shapes both civil liability frameworks and the evidentiary standards used in bite-related claims. Dog bite lawyers regularly rely on Section 822 findings to establish negligence or strict liability in injury cases, and to advise owners on compliance obligations after a dangerous dog designation.