Bexar County, TX Animal Ordinances: Dog Leash Laws (2026)
Key Facts
- County leash requirement
- Under control at all times
- San Antonio leash max
- 8 feet
- Tethering law
- Safe Outdoor Dogs Act HSC 821
- Off-leash parks
- Only inside fenced dog parks in San Antonio
- Livestock defense
- TX Ag Code 142 allows destruction
Summary
Unincorporated Bexar County enforces a county leash order and TX Health and Safety Code 822 through Animal Control Services. San Antonio Chapter 5 requires leashes (8 feet max) in public spaces.
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
Full Breakdown
In unincorporated Bexar County, the Commissioners Court has adopted a county rabies and animal control order that requires dogs to be under the control of the owner at all times, either through secure enclosure on the owner's property or on a leash in public; this is enforced by Bexar County Animal Control Services. 042 separately defines the statewide Dangerous Dog framework triggered when a dog attacks outside its enclosure. The City of San Antonio Chapter 5 requires any dog in a public place to be on a leash not longer than 8 feet or inside a secure carrier; violations are Class C municipal offenses.
San Antonio has several designated off-leash dog parks (McAllister, Madison Square, Phil Hardberger West) where leashes may be removed inside the fenced area. Converse, Live Oak, Universal City, Helotes, Leon Valley, and Castle Hills each have similar city leash rules. Livestock protection laws (Ag Code 142) allow a rancher to destroy a dog chasing livestock; this commonly affects dogs running loose in the western and southern county. Tethering rules under the 2021 Safe Outdoor Dogs Act (HSC 821) apply statewide and require adequate shelter, water, and non-restrictive restraint.
Violations & Fines
County order violation: first offense up to $200, escalating to $500 for repeat. San Antonio Chapter 5: Class C up to $500. Safe Outdoor Dogs Act violation: Class C first, Class B on repeat ($2,000 and 180 days). Livestock-chasing allows lawful destruction under Ag Code 142.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can my dog run off-leash on my unincorporated Bexar County property?
Is tying up my dog in the yard legal?
Who do I call about a loose aggressive dog in Bexar County?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Bexar County
Texas rules heatmap·Compare Bexar County to another location·View the Texas animal ordinances overview
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