Arlington, TX Animal Ordinances: Breed Restrictions (2026)

Under Texas Health & Safety Code §822.047, Texas municipalities are preempted from adopting breed-specific legislation. Arlington therefore does not restrict pit bulls, rottweilers, or any other breed by name. Instead, Chapter 8 of the Arlington Code of Ordinances provides a behavior-based framework. A dog may be declared 'dangerous' if it makes an unprovoked attack causing bodily injury, or if it commits unprovoked acts that cause a reasonable person to fear an attack. Owners of dangerous dogs must register the animal annually with Arlington Animal Services, maintain $100,000 liability insurance, confine the dog in a secure enclosure with locked gate and a clear visible sign, keep the dog leashed and muzzled in public, and microchip the animal. Failure to comply is a Class C misdemeanor per violation and can result in seizure. Arlington also enforces Texas Lillian's Law (§822.005) making it a felony if a dog attacks and causes serious bodily injury or death. Landlords and HOAs may impose their own breed restrictions, as private property rules are not preempted. All dogs over 4 months old must be licensed and rabies-vaccinated in Arlington.