Source: http://www.deerparkpersonalinjurylawyer.co/deer-park-dog-bite-lawyer.html
Timestamp: 2019-04-21 08:08:21+00:00

Document:
Dogs should be trained and any sense of aggressive behavior exhibited by a dog should be immediately attended to by the pet owner in order to avoid a future incident. What it boils down to is that if you or a loved one have been bitten, attacked, maimed, or killed by a dog or other animal, you should be entitled to some degree of compensation from the animal’s owner or handler. Contact one of the experienced Deer Park dog bite lawyers above for a consultation regarding your claim.
However, a person does not have to be the dog’s owner to be held liable for a bite victim’s injuries. A child bitten at a day care facility for dogs could, through the child’s parents, make a claim against the pet care center, even though the dog was owned by a third party who was absent at the time of the bite. If you or a loved one has been the victim of a dog bite, you should contact a Deer Park dog bite attorney to pursue your personal injury claims. Even if the dog has no prior history of aggression and has never bitten anyone before, Texas’s “one bite rule” may allow a Deer Park dog bite injury lawyer to fight your claim successfully, and you deserve compensation for your injuries.
Usually, these types of dog control laws and ordinances are only found in large Texas cities; however, Deer Park has an ordinance requiring that dogs be "restrained" at all times. Furthermore, Deer Park requires that all dogs over four months of age be licensed with the city officials. If you or a loved one has been bitten or mauled by a dog running loose in violation of the law of Deer Park or Harris County, you should contact a local Deer Park dog bite attorney immediately.
Texas still allows a dog to be chained up, which is not only bad policy, but also dangerous to children and others who are routinely attacked by dogs that have been chained. Lillian’s law helps protect Deer Park residents from dogs that attack when not reasonably secured and allows Deer Park dog bite lawyers to sue the dog owners despite lack of previous history of aggression or any provocation from the injury victim. Call a Deer Park dog bite lawyer today.
A person who owns or has custody or control of a dangerous dog commits an offense if the person fails to comply with any provision of Section 8 of these Regulations. An offense defined in this section is a Class C misdemeanor unless it is shown at trial that the defendant has previously been convicted of a violation identified in this section, in which case an offense is a Class B misdemeanor. Each violation of these Regulations constitutes an act in contempt of Commissioners Court. Commissioners Court has the power to enforce its orders by civil contempt and may punish contempt by fine or imprisonment pursuant to Section 81.024 of the Local Government Code. Each and every day a person fails to comply with these Regulations is a separate violation.The restrictions and requirements of Sections 8 of these Regulations may be enforced concurrently with Chapter 822, Subchapter D, of the Texas Health and Safety Code, as amended. These Regulations do not restrict or limit the power of the County or State to choose to prosecute any person for criminal or civil penalties pursuant to that subchapter in addition to or as an alternative to prosecution under these Regulations.
If any person violates any provision of Section 8 so that there is a threat to public health and safety, HCPHES VPH may notify the County Attorney and request authorization from Commissioners Court to file suit to enjoin the violation.
It is a defense to prosecution under these Regulations 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. It is a defense to prosecution under these Regulations that the person is an employee of the institutional division of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice or a law enforcement agency and trains or uses dogs for law enforcement or corrections purposes. It is a defense to prosecution under these Regulations that the person is a dog trainer or an employee of a guard dog company under the Private Investigators and Private Security Agencies Act (Article 4413)(29bb), Vernon's Texas Civil Statutes).
The sale of live animals is banned if it occurs on a public highway or road, in the right-of-way of a public highway or road, or in a parking lot. The erection, maintenance, or placement of a structure by a vendor of live animals is banned from a public highway or road, in the right-of-way of a public highway or road, or in a parking lot.
SECTION 12. VIOLATIONS AND ENFORCEMENT OF SALE AND SOLICITION OF LIVE ANIMALS.
A person commits an offense if the person knowingly offers for sale live animals while on a public highway or road, in the right-of-way of a public highway or road, or in a parking lot.
A person commits an offense if the person knowingly erects, maintains or places a structure for the purposes of selling live animals on a public highway or road, in the right-of-way of a public highway or road, or in a parking lot.
A person commits an offense if the person obstructs or threatens to obstruct the removal of a structure that is in violation of this regulation.
Each offense under this section is a Class C misdemeanor.
Each day a violation continues is a separate offense.
A person commits an offense if the person knowingly violates this subchapter.
A peace officer or Animal Control Officer who has probable cause to believe that an owner is violating Subchapter D, Chapter 821 of the Texas Health and Safety Code shall provide the owner with a written statement of that fact. The statement must be signed by the officer and plainly state the date on which and the time at which the statement is provided to the owner.
A person commits an offense if the person is provided a statement described by Subsection (b) and fails to comply with Subchapter D, Chapter 821 of the Texas Health and Safety Code within 24 hours of the time the owner is provided the statement. An offense under this subsection is a Class C misdemeanor.
A person commits an offense if the person violates Subchapter D, Chapter 821 of the Texas Health and Safety Code and previously has been convicted of an offense under Subchapter D, Chapter 821 of the Texas Health and Safety Code. An offense under this subsection is a Class B misdemeanor.
If a person fails to comply with Subchapter D, Chapter 821 of the Texas Health and Safety Code with respect to more than one dog, the person's conduct with respect to each dog constitutes a separate offense.
If conduct constituting an offense under Subsection D, Chapter 821 of the Texas Health and Safety Code also constitutes an offense under any other law, the actor may be prosecuted under Subchapter D, Chapter 821 of the Texas Health and Safety Code, the other law, or both.
Sec. 821.080. DISPOSITION OF PENALTY. Notwithstanding any other law, the clerk of a court that collects a penalty under Subchapter D, Chapter 821 of the Texas Health and Safety Code shall remit the penalty collected for deposit in the general fund of the county.
The payment of a $10.00 registration fee; and 18 Attending a 3-hour class presented by HCPHES VPH.
At the end of the 180-day deferral period, if the person charged with the misdemeanor presents evidence that she/he has complied with the condition(s) imposed by the court, the court may dismiss the complaint.
These Regulations shall become effective on October 1, 2007. All previously adopted rules and regulations are superseded and repealed.
Sec. 14-182. - Requirements for owner.
Sec. 14-183. - Determination that dog is dangerous.
Sec. 14-185. - Attack by dangerous dog.
Animal control authority means the city 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.
Dangerous dog means any dog which attacks a human or domestic animal without provocation in a place other than an enclosure in which the dog was being kept and that was reasonably certain to prevent the dog from leaving the enclosure on its own and causes severe bite wounds or severe ripping and tearing of muscle to the human or domestic animal that would cause a reasonably prudent person to seek professional treatment from a medical professional without regard to whether medical treatment was sought.
Owner means a person who owns or has custody or control of the dog.
(5) In conformance with the requirements for enclosures established by the local animal control authority.
State law reference— Similar provisions, V.T.C.A., Health and Safety Code § 822.041.
(7) Comply with all applicable municipal, county or state regulations, requirements or restrictions on dangerous dogs.
(b) The owner of a dangerous dog who does not comply with subsection (a) of this section 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) If, on application of any person, a justice court, county court, or municipal court finds, after notice and hearing as provided by V.T.C.A., Health and Safety Code § 822.0423, that the owner of a dangerous dog has failed to comply with subsection (a) or (b) of this section, the court shall order the animal control authority to seize the dog and shall issue a warrant authorizing the seizure. The authority shall seize the dog or order its seizure and shall provide for the impoundment of the dog in secure and humane conditions.
(d) The owner shall pay any cost or fee assessed by the municipality or county related to the seizure, acceptance, impoundment or destruction of the dog. The city council may prescribe the amount of the fees.
(e) The court shall order the animal control authority to humanely destroy the dog if the owner has not complied with subsection (a) of this section before the 11th day after the date on which the dog is seized or delivered to the authority. The court shall order the authority to return the dog to the owner if the owner complies with subsection (a) of this section before the 11th day after the date on which the dog is seized or delivered to the authority.
(f) The court may order the humane destruction of a dog if the owner of the dog has not been located before the 15th day after the seizure and impoundment of the dog.
State law reference— Similar provisions, V.T.C.A., Health and Safety Code § 822.042.
(a) If a person reports an incident described by subsection (2) of the definition of the term "dangerous animal" in section 14-181, 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.
(b) An owner, not later than the 15th 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, county or municipal court of competent jurisdiction. An owner may appeal the decision of the justice, county or municipal court in the same manner as appeal for other cases from the justice, county or municipal court.
State law reference— Similar provisions, V.T.C.A., Health and Safety Code § 822.0421.
(2) Pays an annual registration fee as provided in the fee schedule in appendix B to this Code.
(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 as provided in the fee schedule in Appendix B of this Code, 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.
State law reference— Similar provisions, V.T.C.A., Health and Safety Code § 822.043.
(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) An offense under this section is a class C misdemeanor, unless the attack causes serious bodily injury or death, in which event the offense is a class A misdemeanor.
(c) 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 V.T.C.A., Health and Safety Code § 822.003.
(d) In addition to criminal prosecution, a person who commits an offense under this section is liable for a civil penalty not to exceed $10,000.00. An attorney having civil jurisdiction in the county or an attorney for a municipality where the offense occurred may file suit in a court of competent jurisdiction to collect the penalty. Penalties collected under this subsection shall be retained by the county or municipality.
State law reference— Similar provisions, V.T.C.A., Health and Safety Code § 822.044.
(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 14-182 or V.T.C.A., Health and Safety Code § 822.0422(b) or an applicable municipal or county regulation relating to dangerous dogs.
(b) Except as provided by subsection (c) of this section, an offense under this section is a class C misdemeanor.
(c) An offense under this section is a class B misdemeanor if it is shown on the trial of the offense that the defendant has previously been convicted under this section.
State law reference— Similar provisions, V.T.C.A., Health and Safety Code § 822.045.
(a) It is a defense to prosecution under section 14-185 or section 14-186 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.
(b) It is a defense to prosecution under section 14-185 or section 14-186 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.
(c) It is a defense to prosecution under section 14-185 or section 14-186 that the person is a dog trainer or an employee of a guard dog company under V.T.C.A., Occupations Code ch. 1702.
Texas recognizes the right of bystanders to recover damages for mental anguish caused by witnessing an accident, with the following limitations: the bystander must be a parent or child of the victim and the victim must have been killed or severely injured in the animal attack or mauling. Therefore, if you have witnessed a close family member mauled or bitten by a dog, you may want to pursue legal action on behalf of the injury victim as well as your own claims for witnessing such a horrific event. Contact a Deer Park dog bite lawyer today to discuss bystander and mental anguish claims.
A Texas dog owner owes a duty to attempt to stop his dog from attacking a person after the attack has begun. This is a civil duty, meaning that the Deer Park dog bite victim can sue for monetary damages if the dog owner does not attempt to stop the attack.
If you or a loved one have been bitten or mauled by a dangerous dog in Deer Park or Harris County, TX, please contact one of the experienced Deer Park dog bite injury lawyers listed on this page.
Report the bite to the Deer Park Planning and Development Services Department (contact information below).
Seek the help of a Deer Park dog bite attorney, if necessary, and maintain copies of all medical records and other relevant evidence.
For general information regarding Environmental Health programs and activities, please visit the Deer Park Planning and Development Services Department website.
Deer Park Animal Services website for reporting rabies.
If you would like to report an instance of animal cruelty to the Deer Park click here, and follow the recommended procedures.
Contact one of the experienced Deer Park dog bite lawyers above for a consultation regarding your claim.

References: § 822
 § 822
 § 822
 § 822
 § 822
 § 822
 § 822
 § 822
 § 822