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

City of Taylor Code of Ordinances § 4-3 makes it unlawful for the owner of any animal, dogs included, without regard to mental state to fail to keep the animal from running at large. That strict-liability standard means the city does not have to prove the owner intended to let the dog escape, only that it left the owner's control as § 4-1 defines it. Under that definition, a dog is running at large unless it is completely confined by a building, wall or fence strong enough to hold it, or unless it is on a leash, in the owner's hands, or under the owner's direct supervision on the owner's own property; a dog riding inside a parked car is not considered at large.

Guard dogs get an extra restraint rule: § 4-22 requires them to be on a chain or leash no longer than six feet and humanely muzzled whenever they are off the property where they are used as guard dogs. Any dog found running at large may be impounded under § 4-61(a)(4), and the owner is responsible for impoundment fees, handling fees and any veterinary costs before the dog can be redeemed under § 4-62. 00 for a violation that governs public health or sanitation, with each day of the violation charged as a separate offense.

Dogs that attack while running at large can trigger the separate, harsher dangerous-dog provisions of § 4-23, including registration, insurance and possible destruction of the animal.