What would happen to my dogs if they attacked an intruder in my house, front, or backyard in Texas?

Question

I understand what can happen to the owner but what happens to the dog? Can they be put to sleep? I have two German Shepherds that are great watch dogs but I would like to know what the guidelines are for dogs that protect their home or owners.

Answer 1

So far this is all I have found. I would just call the police dept and ask.  Ill keep looking though cause now you have me wondering.

In 2008, the Texas Supreme Court held that a dog owner owes a duty to attempt to stop the dog from attacking a person after the attack has begun. This is a civil duty, meaning that the victim can sue if the dog owner fails to attempt to stop the attack. The court based its holding on Restatement 2nd of Torts, sec. 518, comment j (1977). For that reason, the opinion should be persuasive in courts throughout the USA. (Bushnell v. Mott (Tex. 03/28/2008) 2008.TX.0002515, http://www.versuslaw.com.)

OK I found the below info...scroll down to 822.005 it talks about dog attacks.  It is the health and safety code.

http://tlo2.tlc.state.tx.us/statutes/doc...

SO it sounds like you will be fine!  Sorry I was doing this and trying to get my kids to sleep and missed that...

Answer 2

Yes they can be put down if they attack a human, even if he is breaking into your house, on your property. It's crazy I know. But most intruders wouldn't pick a house with 2 german shepards. Dogs are excellent deterants for common theives.

Answer 3

Nothing.  I mean, you can legally shoot intruders in Texas.  Why on earth would they fuss over a guard dog?

You can call animal control or the police department if you want specific rules about that sort of thing.

Edit:  I read those links.  As long as the dog was on the owner's property being used for the owner's protection, the dogs are safe from prosecution/destruction.  Gotta love the state of Texas!  In Maryland not only could the dogs be destroyed, intruders have actually won cases suing landowners for non-animal related injuries on their property- as in, someone breaks in a house and falls down the stairs and then sues the homeowner and wins.  It's ridiculous out here.