(a) 
Not later than the thirtieth (30th) day after a person learns that the person is the owner of a dangerous dog, the person shall:
(1) 
Register the dangerous dog with the animal control authority for the area in which the dog is kept;
(2) 
Restrain the dangerous dog at all times on a leash in the immediate control of a person or in a secure enclosure;
(3) 
Obtain liability insurance coverage or show financial responsibility in an amount of at least one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000.00) to cover damages resulting from an attack by the dangerous dog causing bodily injury to a person, and provide proof of the required liability insurance coverage or financial responsibility to the animal control authority; and
(4) 
Comply with the applicable town regulations, requirements, and restrictions on dangerous dogs.
(b) 
The owner of a dangerous dog who does not comply with subsection (a) above shall deliver the dog to the animal control authority not later than the 30th day after the owner learns that the dog is a dangerous dog.
(c) 
For the purposes of this article, a person learns that the person is the owner of a dangerous dog when:
(1) 
The owner knows of an attack described in subsection (1) of the definition of “dangerous dog” in section 2.01.001; or
(2) 
The owner is informed by the animal control authority that the dog is a dangerous dog.
(d) 
If a person reports an incident described by subsection (1) of the definition of “dangerous dog” in section 2.01.001, the animal control authority may investigate the incident. If, after receiving the sworn statements of any witnesses, the animal control authority determines the dog is a dangerous dog, it shall notify the owner of the fact.
(e) 
An owner, not later than the thirtieth (30th) day after the date the owner is notified that a dog owned by the owner is a dangerous dog, may appeal the determination of the animal control authority to a justice or municipal court of competent jurisdiction. An owner may appeal the decision of the justice or municipal court in the same manner as appeal for other civil cases.
(2001 Code, sec. 2.301)
No person shall knowingly own, harbor, train, sell, or offer for sale any dog which is to be used for the purpose of fighting, or to be trained, tormented, badgered, or baited for the purpose of causing or encouraging said animal to attack human beings or domestic animals when not provoked, except that this section shall not apply to guard dogs.
(2001 Code, sec. 2.302)
(a) 
Upon receipt of a written, sworn, and notarized affidavit, by any person, charging that a particular dog is dangerous, the town’s designated authority shall investigate the incident and conduct a hearing to determine whether such animal is in fact dangerous. Unless the matter is resolved by agreement of all parties involved prior to the hearing, said animal shall be impounded until a final disposition is reached. Any sworn, written, notarized affidavit shall contain at least the following information:
(1) 
Name, address, and telephone number of the complainant and any witnesses;
(2) 
Date, time, and location of the incident;
(3) 
Complete description of the animal, breed, color, size, etc.;
(4) 
Name, address, and telephone number of the animal’s owner, if known, or the premises where the animal is kept;
(5) 
A statement that the animal bit or attacked or acts by the animal that make the person reasonably believe the animal will bite or attack that person; and
(6) 
Any other facts that the complainant believes to be important.
(b) 
The following procedures shall apply to the hearing that is held to determine whether or not the dog is declared dangerous:
(1) 
The suspect dog shall be seized pursuant to a complaint and impounded at the owner’s expense. Said dog shall be held at an approved facility pending the outcome of a hearing and determination as to whether the animal is in fact dangerous. The hearing shall be conducted within ten (10) days after seizure of the dog.
(2) 
Notice of the hearing shall be provided by the town’s designated authority to the owner of the animal by certified mail, return receipt requested. The complainant in the matter shall be notified by regular mail. At the hearing, all parties shall be given an opportunity to present evidence on the issue of whether or not the dog is to be declared dangerous.
(3) 
No dog shall be declared dangerous if the threat, injury, or damage caused by the dog was a result of willful trespass upon another’s property, or the person injured was tormenting, abusing, or assaulting the dog or its owner, or was committing or attempting to commit a crime at the time of injury.
(4) 
If at the conclusion of the hearing the dog is found to be not dangerous, the dog shall be promptly returned to the owner provided the dog has a current rabies vaccination and all impound fees have been paid.
(5) 
If at the conclusion of a hearing the dog is found to be dangerous, the owner shall comply with one or more of the following requirements:
(A) 
Removal of the dangerous dog from the corporate limits of the town;
(B) 
Humane destruction of the dangerous dog; or
(C) 
Comply with chapter 822 of the Texas Health and Safety Code.
(c) 
Findings of the town’s designated authority pertaining to dangerous dogs may be appealed to the judge of the municipal court. An owner may appeal the decision of the judge or the municipal court in the same manner as an appeal is made for other civil cases. During the pendency of such appeal, the finding of the town’s designated authority shall be suspended; however, the owner shall surrender the dog to an approved impound facility for observation and to protect the health and safety of the public until final disposition is reached.
(2001 Code, sec. 2.303)
(a) 
A person commits an offense if the person is the owner of a dangerous dog and the dog makes an unprovoked attack on another person outside the dog’s enclosure and causes bodily injury to the other person.
(b) 
A hearing shall be held in accordance with section 2.03.003 of this chapter.
(2001 Code, sec. 2.304)
(a) 
A person who owns or keeps custody or control of a dangerous dog commits an offense if the person fails to comply with section 2.03.001 of this chapter.
(b) 
It is a defense to prosecution under this article that the person is a veterinarian, a peace officer, a person employed by a recognized animal shelter, or a person employed by the state or a political subdivision of the state to deal with stray animals and has temporary ownership, custody, or control of the dog in connection with that position.
(c) 
It is a defense to prosecution under this article that the person is an employee of the institutional division of the state department of criminal justice or a law enforcement agency and trains or uses dogs for law enforcement or corrections purposes.
(d) 
It is a defense to prosecution under this article that the person is a dog trainer or an employee of a guard dog company under the Private Security Act.
(2001 Code, sec. 2.305)