Shenandoah, TX Animal Ordinances: Breed Restrictions (2026)

Section 10-1 defines "dangerous dog" by conduct: a dog that makes an unprovoked attack causing bodily injury outside a secure enclosure, or that commits unprovoked acts outside such an enclosure that would cause a reasonable person to believe it will attack and injure them. The same section defines "secure enclosure" as a fenced area or structure that is locked, capable of keeping out the general public including children, capable of preventing the dog's escape, clearly marked as containing a dangerous dog, and built to the local animal control authority's enclosure requirements.

Separately, Section 10-91(e), in the rabies control article, gives the municipal court authority to hold a hearing on animal bite cases and, if it finds the animal vicious or dangerous to people or other animals, to order the animal muzzled, restricted to a leash, or kept in a sufficient enclosure, including when off the enclosed premises. Section 10-8 addresses a different scenario: if the chief of police or a designee cannot safely apprehend a stray animal because of its viciousness and an officer's or bystander's physical safety is at risk, the officer may dispose of the animal.

Montgomery County's animal service center handles related bite reporting and confinement duties referenced in Section 10-91. None of this chapter singles out specific breeds; the dangerous-dog and secure-enclosure standards apply based on documented behavior.