Williamson County and the
cities within its borders have animal control laws on the books to protect you,
the public, and your pets. Failure to follow these laws can have devastating
consequences.
By law, you, as a pet owner, are required to:
The State of Texas requires all dogs and cats in the state
to be vaccinated by a licensed veterinarian. When off their owner's property,
pets four months old and older must wear official rabies tags. Owners face
fines of up to $500.00 for non-compliance.
Rabies is, will be, and has always been a serious health
threat for pets and people in Texas. Rabies is fatal. The good news is, it's entirely
preventable. Rabies
vaccinations are essential protection for you, your pets, and everyone around
you.
Williamson County requires registration licenses for all
dogs and cats, four months and older. Pets must wear their registration tags
when they are off their owner's property. Owners face fines of up to $500.00 for
non-compliance.
Licenses can be purchased from most local veterinarians or
the Humane Society of Williamson County. Registration for sterilized cats and
dogs cost $5.00. For unaltered pets, it will cost $30.00.
The small annual fee you give for registering your animal pays off in a big way. It helps fund animal-related services like animal control departments, animal shelters, and low cost spay/neuter programs. Most importantly, a lost animal wearing a registration tag can be matched with and returned to its owner quickly.
Williamson County and all its cities require dogs to be under their owner's control at all times. This means they must be on a leash or confined to their owner's property. Dogs that run loose are subject to impoundment, and their owners are responsible for impoundment and boarding fees. They also risk a citation and fines of up to $500.
Leash laws exist to protect yourself, your dog, and others. Loose dogs can be taken by strangers, hit by cars, shot, attacked by wildlife, or worse. They can damage property, chase vehicles and small children, bite people, and attack other animals. Multiple loose dogs, though they may be friendly individually, may become aggressive in packs and have been known to attack and kill people. It's dangerous for your dog, you, and other people if you let your dog leave your property without being attached to you by a leash.
ADDITIONAL
ANIMAL CONTROL ORDINANCES
Most cities have additional laws designed to protect you
and your pets. These can include the minimum length and maximum weight
allowable for a tether/chain, the housing requirements for a pet, noise
(barking) ordinances, and more. Please call your local animal control office,
or read your city codes to familiarize yourself with the local laws.
In addition all visitors are required to pick up
after their dog deposits in Springwoods Park. Dog receptacles are furnished at two locations in our Park
to pick up your dog waste. Pet
Owners in Violation of Park Rules will be asked to leave the park. Please keep your park sanitary for
everyone to enjoy. NO DOGS
ALLOWED INSIDE TENNIS COURTS
PARK RULES ENFORCED BY EMERALD
SECURITY GUARDS