09/02/2026
Texas Safe Outdoor Dogs Act - Texas Health & Safety Code §§ 821.101–821.103
If your dog is kept outside, Texas law has some very specific rules about shelter and restraints that were implemented in 2022.
WHAT COUNTS AS ADEQUATE SHELTER?
A dog must have a sturdy shelter that protects them from:
• Extreme heat
• Rain and storms
• Extreme cold
• High winds
The shelter also has to be large enough for the dog to:
• Stand up
• Sit
• Turn around
• Lie down normally
A doghouse sitting in direct sun or one that doesn’t actually protect the dog from the weather may not qualify as adequate shelter.
Dogs must also have access to:
• Clean drinking water
• Shade from direct sunlight
• A dry area without standing water
• An area free from excessive waste
WHAT ABOUT CHAINS?
This is the big one:
A dog cannot be left outside, unattended and restrained by a chain.
It doesn’t matter if the chain is long, lightweight or reaches the doghouse.
If the dog is restrained outside and unattended, a chain is not allowed.
TETHERS ARE ALLOWED, BUT THERE ARE RULES.
The tether must be at least:
10 feet long
OR
5 times the length of the dog, measured from the tip of the nose to the base of the tail.
Whichever is longer.
For example:
If your dog measures 3 feet long:
3 × 5 = 15 feet
That dog needs at least a 15-foot tether, not just 10 feet.
The tether also cannot have weights attached, and the dog must wear a properly fitted collar or harness that does not choke, injure or interfere with breathing.
THE TAKEAWAY
If your dog is outside:
• Provide adequate shelter
• Provide shade
• Provide clean water
• Keep the area clean and dry
• Use a properly fitted collar or harness
• Do not use a chain
• Make sure the tether is long enough
Knowing the law helps us keep pets safe and prevents problems before they happen!
