County Laws About Pets
The following information is from county resources. NASWC encourages everyone to follow the law and follow the advice of law enforcement officials when trying to solve a problem concerning a neighbor's dog or cat.
Dog Leash Law
Please report uncontrolled dogs by calling:
Animal Control Dispatch at 943-1359
They will take information. An Animal Control Officer will call you back.
In this area of Williamson County, ALL dogs must be on a leash, on a lead, or confined to their property by a fence. Even if an owner is convinced that their dog wouldn't hurt a flea and they walk the animal without a leash, it is a violation of the leash law in Williamson County. Plus, when an owner lets their dog out at night, expecting it to return home after its nightly run, that dog is an uncontrolled dog and is in violation of the leash law.
If the loose dog causes damage to property or person while unleashed, the owner can be held liable for that damage. If a reported uncontrolled dog returns to the owner by the time the officer arrives, the officer is willing to talk to the dog's owner about the problem.
Any owner that intentionally, knowingly, recklessly or with criminal negligence allows a dog to become a stray shall be guilty of a Class C misdemeanor. Dogs that run loose are subject to impoundment and their owners or guardians are responsible for associated charges and fees. The owners may also be cited and face fines of up to $500.
Barking Dogs - A Noise Disturbance
Call the Sheriff's Office at 943-1300
or after hours 943-1389 and 943-1390
If you are disturbed by a barking dog between the hours of 10 PM and 6 AM, it is a Noise Disturbance and not an animal problem. Do not call Animal Control. Call the Sheriff and report it as a Noise Disturbance and NOT as a dog problem.
Dogs That Attack
If you or an animal has been attacked, call the Sheriff at 943-1300
After hours 943-1389 and 943-1390
Please read the county law (pdf).
Dogs which attack humans and other animals, including other dogs, are considered dangerous. Even if the offending dog is on a leash, the owner of that dog is also responsible for it and can be held liable for damages.
Vaccinations
Because of the rabies problem in Texas, all dogs and cats in Texas must be vaccinated annually by a licensed veterinarian. Pets four months old and older must wear tags showing they were vaccinated. Owners face fines of up to $500 for non-compliance.
Licensing Pets
In Williamson County, dogs and cats four months old and older must be licensed in addition to required vaccination tags. These licenses are available through your veterinarian or the Humane Society. (260-3602)
If the pet is spayed or neutered, the County License fee is $5. If the pet is unsterilized, the fee is $30.
Cats
There is no leash law for cats in our area of Williamson County. If cats are straying onto your property and defecating there, this is not an Animal Control offense. However, Animal Control has informed NASWC that a neighbor is within their rights to catch the offending cat on their property and take it to the Williamson County Humane Shelter. The owner will have to pay a fine in order to retrieve the cat.
Please remember that the offending dog or cat is someone's pet. Try to talk to its owner, if you know who they are, to solve the problem. You may want to try a cat deterrent, available at most pet stores, to chase the offending cat from your property. Some people have had good luck using moth balls as a deterrent, especially to fight off spraying cats. However, moth balls quickly dissolve in rainstorms and high humidity.
Commercial Breeding, Kenneling or Boarding of Animals
Please review the Restrictive Covenants for your area.
Kenneling, breeding and/or boarding of animals for any business or commercial purpose is strictly forbidden in all areas of our community. This includes ALL dog breeding. There are no exceptions.
Chickens, Goats, Ducks, etc.: Farm Animals Cannot Be Kept
Please review the Restrictive Covenants for your area.
Non-typical household pets such as farm animals (including, but not limited to, chickens, ducks, goats, ponies, horses, and sheep) are forbidden to be corralled, held, raised, bred or otherwise kept on properties in our community.
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