Texas preempts breed-specific laws under TX Health and Safety Code 822.047, so Bexar County and San Antonio cannot ban any breed. Lillian's Law applies to any dangerous dog regardless of breed.
Texas Health and Safety Code Section 822.047 expressly preempts municipalities and counties from enacting breed-specific regulations. This means Bexar County, the City of San Antonio, Converse, Live Oak, Universal City, Leon Valley, Helotes, and Castle Hills may NOT ban pit bulls, Rottweilers, Dobermans, or any other breed, nor impose breed-specific insurance, muzzling, or containment requirements. Instead, Texas uses a deeds-based framework. Under HSC 822.041 through 822.047 (including the so-called Lillian's Law tier in HSC 822.005 for fatal attacks), a dog may be declared dangerous after an unprovoked attack causing injury outside its enclosure. A Dangerous Dog designation by a Bexar County Justice of the Peace requires secure enclosure, $100,000 liability insurance or equivalent surety, registration with Bexar County Animal Control Services, and muzzling in public. The City of San Antonio Animal Care Services administers the same process inside the city. Federal military housing on JBSA follows separate DOD-wide pet policies which MAY include breed lists as a condition of on-base housing, but those apply only on federal property. Renters should note that individual landlords and insurance companies may impose breed-based exclusions, which are lawful as private contracts but unenforceable by government.
Failure to comply with Dangerous Dog requirements is a Class C misdemeanor first offense, up to $500; subsequent or a resulting serious injury is Class A/B or a felony under HSC 822.044 and 822.005. Attempting to enforce a breed ban is invalid; citations would be dismissed.
See how Bexar County's breed restrictions rules stack up against other locations.
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