Do you always need to put a leash on your dog? Here’s what Fort Worth law says you must do

A Fort Worth area man says he fatally shot a dog after the animal had reportedly escaped from its owner’s yard and was aggressive toward him.

The incident solicited online outrage, with social media posts suggesting the man be charged with a crime or face retaliation for killing the animal despite claims of self-defense.

But since the dog was unleashed at the time of the shooting, some might wonder what consequences, if any, could the pet’s owner face for allowing it to freely roam the neighborhood.

Here’s what to know about the legality of loose dogs:

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Does your dog always have to be on a leash when outside?

According to the Fort Worth Animal Care & Control , dogs “must be securely enclosed or confined to its owner’s yard by a physical fence in a manner that will isolate the animal from the public and from other animals.”

All dogs must be behind an enclosure of at least 48 inches, and “declared aggressive dogs” must be behind an enclosure of 60 inches.

“When a dog is being walked or with its owner off its property, it must be on a leash and accompanied by the owner at all times,” Animal Care & Control said on its website. “If the dog is without a leash or not accompanied by the owner, it is considered unrestrained and in violation of the restraint ordinance.”

What classifies a dangerous dog?

A dog identified as aggressive is one that “makes an unprovoked attack on a person or other animal that causes bodily injury and occurs in a place other than an enclosure in which the dog was being kept,” Animal Care & Control said. “Or commits unprovoked acts in a place other than an enclosure in which the dog was being kept, and those acts cause a person to reasonably believe that the animal will attack and cause bodily injury to that person.”

Those who own dangerous dogs must restrain them at all times and keep them in a secure enclosure. They must also be muzzled to prevent a potential biting incident. In addition to having the dog spayed or neutered, dangerous dogs must also be registered, and the owner is required to obtain and maintain liability insurance coverage.

Signs must also be posted to warn residents that a dangerous dog is present.

What are Texas leash laws?

While Texas does not have a statewide leash law, other cities, including Fort Worth, have local laws or ordinances that require dogs to be leashed when in public.

According to the City of Fort Worth, it is unlawful to walk a dog “without a leash in a city park or in an event area or otherwise be in violation” of city codes Sec. 24 or Sec. 20.

Fort Worth requires that dogs: