I love dogs. I've owned dogs my whole life but I've never kept them outside; they've always been inside in the house with me. Doesn't matter what the weather was; rain or shiny, hot or cold but I know people still keep their dogs outside, and here in El Paso, that's a huge concern because of the heat. I who can't stand it when they see a dog chained up outside when it's hot outside, or it's raining hard. But that will change next year...

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Back in May, Governor Greg Abbott vetoed SB 474, aka the Safe Outdoors Act, the law making it a criminal offense by unlawfully restraining/chaining your dog outside. After MANY people & groups (like the Texas Inhumane Legislation Network, TILN) begging  for change & posting their displeasures on social media, Governor Abbot FINALLY signed the bill...

According to the Houston Chronicle, the law states that, in the state of Texas:

  • The use of chain tethers, weights or improperly fitted collars is prohibited. Your dog must be able to sit/ lay down, stand up, & move around comfortably. This also includes that your dog must be able to avoid standing water and exposure to excessive animal waste.
  • Any animals that are housed outside, MUST have access to drinkable water & adequate shelter that keeps them safe from the weather
  • Law enforcement don't have to wait 24 hours to intervene if anyone is caught breaking the rules or if they come across an animal in inhumane conditions; they can respond immediately.

The Texas Humane Legislation Network also stated the the law will also include "key exemptions for dogs restrained in public places like parks and campgrounds, those used for farming, field trials, and hunting tasks, dogs restrained via a trolley system, and those temporarily unattended in an open-air truck bed".

The Safe Outdoors Act goes into affect January 18th, 2022.

As someone who loves dogs, works with dog lovers, who many of my friends are huge lovers & supporters of animal rights, this IS a big step forward in making sure our best friends are safer.

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