Dallas, TX Animal Ordinances: Dog Leash Laws (2026)
Summary
Dallas requires dogs on leash in public. Off-leash in designated parks only. License and rabies vaccination required. TX HSC §822.013 covers dogs at large.
Sec. 822.041. DEFINITIONS. In this subchapter:(1) "Animal control authority" means a municipal or county animal control office with authority over the area where the dog is kept or a county sheriff in an area with no animal control office.(2) "Dangerous dog" means a dog that:(A) makes an unprovoked attack on a person that causes bodily injury and occurs in a place other than an enclosure in which the dog was being kept and that was reasonably certain to prevent the dog from leaving the enclosure on its own; or(B) commits unprovoked acts in a place other than an enclosure in which the dog was being kept and that was reasonably certain to prevent the dog from leaving the enclosure on its own and those acts cause a person to reasonably believe that the dog will attack and cause bodily inju...
Full Breakdown
Dallas requires dogs to be on leash in all public areas. Off-leash exercise permitted only in designated dog parks. Dogs must be licensed and rabies-vaccinated. Dogs at large may be impounded by animal control per TX Health & Safety Code §822.013. Dangerous dog designation under Lillian’s Law (HSC Ch. 822) is behavior-based. Owner responsible for waste cleanup in public areas.
Violations & Fines
Off-leash: $50 to $200. At-large: impound fees + citation. Unlicensed: $50 to $250. Waste: $50 to $500.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to keep my dog on a leash in Dallas?
What is the maximum leash length in Dallas?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Dallas
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Dog Leash Laws in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Dallas County handle dog leash laws.