Texas dog leash laws.

◦ Summary

Texas has no statewide dog leash law. Leashing rules are set by individual cities and counties, and most municipalities require dogs to be leashed in public except inside designated off-leash dog parks.

◦ Related state statute

Tex. Health & Safety Code § 822.012

This is narrower than it sounds. It applies only to a dog the owner knows is accustomed to run, worry or kill livestock, so it is not a general leash law. We checked it against the statute text rather than relying on the summary table.

Citation via Table of State Dog Leash Laws, Rebecca F. Wisch, Animal Legal & Historical Center, Michigan State University College of Law. Check the current state code before relying on it.

◦ Notes & gotchas

Day-to-day leashing requirements live in city or county ordinances. Before relying on this page, look up the specific code for your municipality — it's the binding rule, not state law. Most US cities require dogs to be leashed in public unless inside a designated off-leash area. Texas has no statewide leash law. The state's rabies-control statute (Texas Health & Safety Code § 826) addresses confinement during rabies investigations. Day-to-day leashing is set by cities — Austin, Houston, Dallas, and San Antonio all require dogs to be on a leash in public.