Haltom City, TX Animal Ordinances: Breed Restrictions (2026)
Key Facts
- Breed Bans
- None, preempted by state law
- State Preemption
- TX H and S 822.047
- Dangerous Dog Law
- Lillian's Law TX H and S 822
- Registration Fee
- 50 dollars annually
- Insurance
- 100,000 dollar liability required
Summary
Haltom City bans no specific breed. TX Health and Safety Code 822.047 preempts breed-specific local laws. Dangerous-dog determinations under Lillian's Law (TX H and S 822) apply regardless of breed.
Sec. 822.047. LOCAL REGULATION OF DANGEROUS DOGS. A county or municipality may place additional requirements or restrictions on dangerous dogs if the requirements or restrictions: (1) are not specific to one breed or several breeds of dogs; and (2) are more stringent than restrictions provided by this subchapter. Added by Acts 1991, 72nd Leg., ch. 916, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1991. (This provision prohibits Texas cities and counties from enacting breed-specific ordinances banning particular dog breeds.)
Full Breakdown
Haltom City has no breed-specific ban in its Code of Ordinances. 047 expressly preempts Texas cities from adopting breed-specific legislation that targets pit bulls, Rottweilers, or any other breed based on identity alone. Instead, enforcement focuses on individual animal behavior. Under TX Health and Safety Code Chapter 822, including Subchapter D (Lillian's Law), a dog can be declared dangerous after an unprovoked attack causing bodily injury or when it makes an unprovoked attack causing a person to reasonably believe they are in danger. A declared dangerous dog must be registered annually (50 dollar state fee), kept in a secure enclosure with a locking gate, leashed and muzzled in public, and covered by 100,000 dollar liability insurance or an equivalent financial responsibility.
Haltom City Animal Services handles dangerous-dog determinations and hearings. Failure to comply with dangerous-dog obligations can escalate to Class C, Class B, or Class A misdemeanor and felony charges depending on harm caused.
Violations & Fines
Breed-based violations: none. Dangerous-dog violations: Class C misdemeanor minimum; escalates to state jail felony if the dog kills or seriously injures a person.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are pit bulls banned in Haltom City?
What happens if my dog is declared dangerous in Haltom City?
Can Haltom City seize a dangerous dog?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Haltom City
How Haltom City compares: Cities with No Dog Breed Restrictions·Texas rules heatmap·Compare Haltom City to another location·View the Texas animal ordinances overview
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Breed Restrictions in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Tarrant County handle breed restrictions.