EL PASO, Texas (KFOX14/CBS4) — The El Paso City Council has unanimously approved amendments to Title 7 of the El Paso Municipal Code, introducing new definitions for “Aggressive Dogs” and “Vicious Dogs” to enhance public and animal safety.
City officials said these updates aim to strengthen public safety, support animal welfare, and provide Animal Protection Officers with clearer enforcement tools, while maintaining compliance with Texas state law.
Under the Texas Health & Safety Code, a dog can only be designated as a “Dangerous Dog” if it is at large, acts unprovoked, and causes bodily injury to a person.
This designation is limited to human injury and applies for the life of the dog.
To address these limitations, the city’s ordinance now includes two additional classifications: “Aggressive Dog” and “Vicious Dog”, city officials announced.
An “Aggressive Dog” is defined as one that, while at large, menaces or interferes with public movement or displays threatening behavior toward a person or another animal. A “Vicious Dog” is one that, while at large, causes severe injury to or kills a domestic animal, livestock, or fowl, excluding dogs acting in a legitimate hunting capacity.
Both designations require owners to take corrective actions within 30 days, such as keeping the dog leashed at all times or securely enclosed, posting a visible warning sign, and completing a responsible pet owner course approved for Texas courts.
Compliance periods are set at one year for Aggressive Dogs and three years for Vicious Dogs. After the compliance period, owners may petition to remove the designation, though meeting the requirements does not guarantee removal, according to the city.
Additionally, the City Fee Schedule has been amended to include a registration fee for dogs designated as Vicious, aiding in compliance tracking and enforcement.
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