In Texas, Is It Illegal To Leave Your Dog Outside When It’s Cold?

Cold weather has finally arrived throughout much of Texas with portions of the state seeing high's this week in 20's and 30's and overnight lows plunging far below 32 degrees. Add in the wind chill and even snow that is forecasted for parts of the state, and those low temperatures will feel even colder.

And when temperatures fall we always hear about taking care of people, pets, pipes, and plants. But when it comes to cold weather, how cold is too cold for dogs. I mean, they have fur, shouldn't dogs be made for cold weather?

Is It Illegal In Texas To Leave Dogs Outside in the Cold?

In the last few years, the State of Texas has really focused on animal cruelty like chaining up dogs without providing them adequate shelter, food, and water. And the same goes for cold weather and leaving your dog outside.

According to Texas law, it is illegal to leave your dogs and cats outside without adequate shelter, food, and water. That means leaving your dog outside without a source of heat, without shelter, without food and water is absolutely illegal when freezing conditions are present.

Of course, this doesn't mean that you can't let your dog go outside to run around or go to the bathroom, and some dogs with lots of fur and thick coats will be able to stand the low temperatures for a longer periods of time.

It's also against Texas law to leave a dog outside unattended while using a restraint that unreasonably limits the dog's movement. This isn't just illegal when it's freezing but also during heat warnings, tornado warnings, hurricanes, and tropical storms.

And those are just the state laws. Different cities in Texas may have their own rules in place about leaving your dog outside when it's freezing. Oh and if you abandon your dog when it's freezing? That's illegal too.

To wrap it up. Unless you are providing accessible shelter, water, and food to your outdoor pet, yes it illegal to leave them outside in the freezing weather. Bring them inside. They are part of the family.