In an update to a story you may have previously seen on DogTime, Texas Governor Greg Abbott finally signed a bill into law regarding the protection of restrained outdoor dogs on October 25th, with alterations to the language of the original bill.
Abbott faced backlash for refusing to sign an almost identical bill earlier this year. Twitter users even started a campaign with the hashtag #AbbottHatesDogs.
The move especially raised eyebrows since the original bill received bipartisan support in the state’s Congress. Thankfully, Abbott seems to have reversed course and signed this new bill meant to protect dogs from cruel tethering practices.
What’s In The New Law?
In Texas, Senate Bill 5 — or, “Safe Outdoor Dogs” Act — effectively bans the use of all chain tethers for dogs. Further included provisions also ensure that authorities and rescuers can handle reported incident swiftly, according to Houston Chronicle.
The law also bans the use of weights, improperly fitted collars, and certain collar materials.
All animals housed outside must have reasonable shelter from inclement weather. The law stipulates that reasonable shelter allows dogs to sit, stand, and move around with comfort. It must also allow dogs to avoiding standing water or excess animal waste.
That provision further extends to restrained outdoor dogs in vehicles, such as truck beds. Dogs may only stay in such a situation long enough to be “reasonably necessary for the owner to complete a temporary task.”
And perhaps most importantly, the bill eliminates the previous 24-hour waiting period authorities had to adhere to before they could intervene on an animal’s behalf.
Randy Farmer, Chief Animal Cruelty Investigator for the Houston Humane Society, said in a statement, “It’s important to the fact that we can actually take care of the problem right away.”
Farmer said of the new law, “We actually will be able to go out and save the animal’s life.”
Why These New Provisions Matter
Stacy Sutton Kerby, Director of Government Relations for the Texas Humane Legislative Network, has been at work advocating this bill for years. She believes the language amended from the previously vetoed bill to be an effective compromise for the bill’s integrity.
“This will effectuate change for thousands and thousands of dogs across the state,” Kerby said.
“Every season, whether it’s super-hot Texas summers or whether it’s hurricane season or in the northern part of the state where it can regularly get to freezing temperatures, we get reports of dogs that have died outside at the ends of their chains. So we know that this is going to affect animals in a positive way going forward.”
Farmer, also, recollected instances of cruel confinement — inhumane situations where dogs are found with collars embedded into their skin, wrapped around trees, having accidentally hung themselves, drowned from floodwaters after a hurricane, or cruelly left to the non-existent mercy of the sun, tied to a concrete slab.
“Embedded collars don’t happen overnight… that’s weeks and weeks of the animal being neglected,” Farmer said.
“It’s a terrible smell — embedded collars — it’s a smell you’ll never forget. It’s a great thing the law has been able to move forward and change to prevent this type of neglect.”
A New Day For Dogs In Texas That Should Have Come Sooner
As of January 18th, 2022, the aforementioned regulations will go into effect.
Texas Senator Eddie Lucio Jr., D-Brownsville, the bill’s author, said in a prepared statement, “There is now a basic standard of care that must be provided to dogs tethered outdoors across the state.
“Dogs are more than man’s best friend, they are family. Mistreating dogs is horrible and passing legislation like this isn’t just good policy, it’s humane policy.”
Until the effective date, the Texas Humane Legislative Network commits to ensuring every pet parent fully understands and complies with these critical alterations.
If you see signs of animal abuse or neglect, then please reach out to authorities or the local Humane Society in your area. DogTime has a full guide to spotting and reporting animal abuse here!
Are you happy Governor Abbott finally signed the bill to protect restrained outdoor dogs? Do you think advocates helped by putting pressure on Abbott? Let us know in the comments below.
