Dangerous/vicious dogs attacked an elderly man the morning of Wednesday, June 24, 2020 in the Fairfield, Texas area.
The man received medical care and was able to return home, although the question remains, why were these dogs not secured?
In the State of Texas, dogs that are considered to be ‘Dangerous Dogs’ are not allowed to roam freely, they must be secured or leashed at all times.
Freestone County Sheriff Shipley explains, “Under the Texas Health and Safety Code, a “Dangerous Dog” is a dog that makes (1) an unprovoked attack on a person that causes bodily injury or death or (2) commits unprovoked acts leading a reasonable person to believe that the dog will attack them in a place other than an enclosure reasonably certain to prevent escape by the dog.”
Shipley continues by explaining that if you know your dog can be aggressive and possibly attack someone, if you receive notice from notice from the courts that your dog is a “Dangerous Dog”, or if the Freestone County Sheriff’s Office informed you that the dog is a “Dangerous Dog” and issued you a notice. Then you have a Dangerous Dog and it needs to be kept secured.
A dog deemed dangerous must be restrained in a secure enclosure or on a leash in the immediate control of a person from there forth, and be able to show financial responsibility of at least $100,000 to cover any damages from an attack.
Freestone County does not have leash laws or animal control, but that does not mean a dangerous dog can roam freely.
Additionally, Sheriff Shipley points out that many calls about dogs come from the Wildwood, Westwood, Lakewood, and Tanglewood residential areas.
A person is responsible for their pets, dogs included, and actions civilly and criminally.
If your dog attacks and injures someone, you can be convicted of a Felony offense.
With it being a third degree felony, which is punishable by 2-10 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000. If the attack causes death, then it’s a second degree felony punishable by 2-20 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.
