Taylor, TX Animal Ordinances: Breed Restrictions (2026)

Sec. 4-23 declares it a public nuisance for an owner to harbor a dangerous dog without meeting the section's requirements, and it applies even though Texas law separately regulates dangerous dogs; city rules control whenever they are stricter. A dog becomes 'dangerous' once the owner learns of an unprovoked attack described in the ordinance, either because the owner witnessed it or animal control notified them after investigating a reported incident and taking sworn witness statements. From that date the owner has 30 days to register the dog with the animal control officer, present proof of a $100,000 no-deductible liability policy covering injury from an attack, current rabies vaccination, and a secure enclosure, and to supply two 3-inch by 3-inch color photos (front and side view) along with the dog's breed, weight, color, height and length.

The animal control officer issues a registration tag that must stay on the dog's collar, and the dog stays in city custody at the owner's expense until these requirements are met. An owner can appeal a dangerous-dog determination to the Taylor Municipal Court within 30 days of notification; if no appeal is filed the determination becomes final. On the city prosecutor's recommendation, the municipal court judge can go further and order a compliant dangerous dog removed from the city limits entirely, but only after a separate hearing where the owner can argue for the dog to stay.

Selling or moving a registered dangerous dog triggers a 14-day notice duty to animal control, and the new owner inherits the same registration and restraint obligations.