Rowlett, TX Animal Ordinances: Dog Leash Laws (2026)

The City of Rowlett's Animal Code (Chapter 6) addresses loose animals in Section 6-4, 'Running at Large.' Subsection (a) makes it 'unlawful for any owner of an animal (other than a cat), to cause, permit, suffer or allow the animal to run at large.' Subsection (b) authorizes any animal control officer or police officer to impound such animals running at large, other than a cat, and to impound a cat upon receipt of a complaint that the cat causes a nuisance or hazard to the health or welfare of any person or animal. In practice this functions as Rowlett's leash law for dogs: a dog must be kept on the owner's property or otherwise under control. Texas has no statewide leash law for cities; the state leaves restraint rules to municipalities (the Texas State Law Library notes cities set their own dog and cat control rules), which is the authority Rowlett relies on. Loose-dog complaints in Rowlett are handled through the Police Department's non-emergency line, and Animal Services enforces both Texas state law and the city's Animal Code.