Steps to Having a Dog Declared Dangerous 

Yes

Stop here-this animal does not meet the definition of a dangerous or vicious dog.

Was the dog inside his enclosure?

No

Continue on with this form.

Justice of the Peace gives owner notice of the complaint.  The owner has 5 days to deliver the dog to animal control.

Any person may report to a Justice of the Peace an incident which indicates a dog is a Dangerous Dog as defined by statute.

If the incident reported does not constitute an attack as defined in the statute the complaint should be dismissed.

A hearing is set not later than the 10th day after the dog is delivered to animal control or seized.

Dog determined not to be Dangerous.  Complaint dismissed.

• A dog that makes an unprovoked attack on a person that occurred in a place other than an enclosure in which the dog was being kept                                                                           OR

• A dog that commits an unprovoked act in a place other than an enclosure in which the dog was being kept and that act would cause a person to reasonably believe that the dog will attack and cause bodily injury

Dog is determined to be Dangerous.  the owner has 30 days to comply with requirements.

If the owner does not comply, the court may order the dog to be seized and held until the owner complies.  After 11 days the dog may be destroyed.

Health and Safety Code, Chapter 822, Subchapter D