Pet Registration

All dogs and cats must be vaccinated for rabies and wear a City of Dallas registration tag. To obtain a registration tag, have your pet vaccinated by a veterinarian and present the Rabies Certificate at Dallas Animal Services (DAS), or ask your veterinarian if he/she provides this service. The annual registration fee is $7 for spayed or neutered animals, or $30 for unaltered animals. If your pet is not spayed or neutered, you must also obtain a special Intact Animal Permit that costs $70 per pet per year. Residents age 65 and older may obtain registration for free for as many as three (3) altered pets. (Section 7-4.2)

Tethering and Confinement

It is now illegal to tether, chain or tie up a dog unless it is in your immediate possession and control. The only exception is when the dog is properly tethered “for a period no longer than necessary for the owner to complete a temporary task.” (Section 7-3.1) If and when a dog is tethered, it must be in a manner that does not allow the dog to leave your premises; does not allow him to become entangled; and allows him access to food, water and appropriate shelter. Also, the dog must be properly fitted with a harness or collar, and the tethering device must be attached to that harness/collar and not directly to the dog’s neck. The tethering device must be a minimum of 10 feet in length and strong enough to prohibit the dog from escaping. (Section 7-4.7) Dogs confined outdoors must be in a fenced yard or other pen or structure that is capable of preventing the dog’s escape; has at least 150 square feet of space per adult dog; and provides the dog access to the inside of a building, a dog house or other type of shelter. (Section 7-4.9, effective Sept. 25, 2008)

Pet Limits

Chapter 7 of the Dallas City Code sets the minimum requirements for pet owners. In a detached single-family house, there is a limit of six (6) cats, dogs or a combination thereof. Those who live on one-half acre or more are allowed eight (8). The limit is four (4) in apartments, condos and residences with a common wall. These limits do not include puppies and kittens under six (6) months of age or feral cats in a registered “Trap, Neuter, Return” program. If you currently own a greater number of animals than allowed by these limits, you can be “grandfathered” by registering your animals with Dallas Animal Services prior to Sept. 25, 2008. Any animal foster caregiver who is a member of a DAS-certified animal welfare organization can also register with Dallas Animal Services for an exemption. (Section 7-4.6)

Spayed, Neutered and Intact Animals

All dogs and cats in the City of Dallas must be spayed or neutered, with the following exceptions: dogs and cats under six (6) months of age; dogs and cats unable to be spayed or neutered for health reasons; service or assistance dogs helping disabled persons or assisting law enforcement; a purebred dog or cat that competes in confirmation, obedience & agility events; dogs and cats for adoption by Dallas Animal Services or other animal welfare groups or for sale in licensed retail pet stores; and animals for which the owner has an Intact Animal Permit. Anyone can get an Intact Animal Permit as long as he or she complies with the following: the dog or cat is registered with the City; the dog or cat has been micro chipped; the owner either (a) is a member of a recognized purebred dog or cat breeding club that maintains and enforces a code of ethics for dog and cat breeding or (b) completes the City’s course on “Responsible Pet Ownership.” The cost of an Intact Animal Permit is $70 per animal per year, in addition to the $30 annual registration fee. (Section 7-4.10, effective Oct. 25, 2008)

Dangerous Dogs

Article V of the current City Animal Code dealing with dangerous dogs has been enhanced, expanded and stream-lined to help our City and Dallas Animal Services better deal with the increasing number of dangerous dogs. The changes provide additional alternative requirements for owners of dangerous dogs, including removal of dog from the City of destruction of the dog if it killed or seriously injured a human. The changes also prohibit anyone from bringing a dangerous dog into the City of Dallas.

Miscellaneous

It is illegal to:
•  Place a poisonous substance or bait such as antifreeze any place that is accessible to dogs or cats.
•  Sell, raffle auction or give away any live animal as a prize or as part of a fundraising event.

For More Information

For more information or questions on these ordinances, call Dallas Animal Services at 214-670-8246, or visit the Dallas Animal Services website at www.dallascityhall.com. Report violators by calling 3-1-1.