For the purpose of this article, the following definitions shall apply, unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning:
Animal control authority.
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.
(1997 Code, sec. 90.035)
(a) 
For the purposes of this article, a person learns that he or she is the owner of a dangerous dog when:
(1) 
The owner knows of an attack described in Tex. Health & Safety Code, section 822.041(2)(A); or
(2) 
The owner is informed by the animal control authority that the dog is dangerous.
(b) 
If a person reports an incident described by Tex. Health & Safety Code, section 822.041(2), 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 that fact.
(c) 
An owner, not later than the 30th day after the date the owner is notified that his or her dog is a dangerous dog, may appeal the determination of the animal control authority to a municipal court of competent jurisdiction. An owner may appeal the decision of the municipal court in the same manner as appeal for other civil cases.
(1997 Code, sec. 90.036)
No later than the 30th day after a person learns that he is the owner of a dangerous dog, he shall:
(1) 
Register the dangerous dog with the animal control authority of the city;
(2) 
Restrain the dangerous dog at all times on a leash in the immediate control of a person or in a secure enclosure; and
(3) 
Obtain liability insurance coverage or show financial responsibility in an amount of at least $100,000.00 to cover damages resulting from an attack by the dangerous dog causing bodily injury to a person.
(1997 Code, sec. 90.037)
(a) 
The animal control authority of the city shall annually register a dangerous dog if the owner:
(1) 
Presents proof of:
(A) 
Liability insurance or financial responsibility, as required by Tex. Health & Safety Code, section 822.042;
(B) 
Current rabies vaccination of the dangerous dog; and
(C) 
The secure enclosure in which the dangerous dog will be kept; and
(2) 
Pays an annual registration fee as provided for in the fee schedule.
(b) 
The animal control authority shall provide to the owner registering a dangerous dog a registration tag. The owner must place the tag on the dog’s collar.
(c) 
If an owner of a registered dangerous dog sells or moves the dog to a new address, the owner, not later than the 14th day after the date of the sale or move, shall notify the animal control authority for the area in which the new address is located. On presentation by the current owner of the dangerous dog’s prior registration tag and payment of a fee of $25.00, the animal control authority shall issue a new registration tag to be placed on the dangerous dog’s collar.
(d) 
An owner of a registered dangerous dog shall notify the office in which the dangerous dog was registered of any attacks the dangerous dog makes on people.
(1997 Code, sec. 90.038)
(a) 
A person commits an offense if he or she 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) 
If a person is found guilty of an offense under this section, the court may order the dangerous dog destroyed by a person listed in Tex. Health & Safety Code, section 822.004.
(1997 Code, sec. 90.039)
A person who owns or keeps custody or control of a dangerous dog commits an offense if he fails to comply with Tex. Health & Safety Code, section 822.042.
(1997 Code, sec. 90.040)