(A) A person commits an offense if the person is the owner of a dangerous dog and the dog makes an unprovoked attack on another person outside the dog's enclosure and causes bodily injury to the other person.
(B) An offense under this section is a Class C misdemeanor, but state law allows for more serious charges to be filed if the owner is found negligent in keeping the dangerous dog secured as required by law.
(C) If the dangerous dog attacks and seriously injures or causes the death of a human, city animal control officers or police officers may seize the animal and it will be euthanized as soon as possible and practical. If a person is found guilty of an offense under this section, the court may order the dangerous dog destroyed by a person listed in Tex. Health and Safety Code § 822.003.
(D) In addition to criminal prosecution, a person who commits an offense under this section is liable for a civil penalty as determined by statute. The City Attorney or an assistant may file suit in a court of competent jurisdiction to collect the penalty. Penalties collected under this section shall be retained by the city.
(Ord. 2008-3, passed 2-5-08; Am. Ord. 2017-1, passed 1-17-17; Am. Ord. 2017-21, passed 12-19-17; Am. Ord. 2024-5, passed 2-20-24)