Dangerous Animals

Bonham Animal Control encourages responsible pet ownership through continued education and outreach efforts. If a dog has been deemed dangerous in the City of Bonham, the owner must comply with specific requirements to ensure that people feel safe where they live, work, and play. Dangerous dog determinations are governed by both Texas Law and Local Ordinances.

"Dangerous" Definition

Dangerous dog determinations are governed by the Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 822, and Bonham City Code Chapter 2 "Animal Control".

A dangerous or vicious dog is defined by Chapter 2, Section 2.02.001, as:

• A dog that makes an unprovoked attack on a person that causes bodily injury and the attack occurs in a place other than an enclosure in which the dog was being kept and that was reasonably certain to prevent the dog from leaving the enclosure on its own; or
• A dog that commits unprovoked acts in a place other than an enclosure in which the dog was being kept and that was reasonably certain to prevent the dog from leaving the enclosure on its own and those acts caused a person to reasonably believe that the dog will attack and cause bodily injury to that person.

Requirements for Owners of a Dangerous Dog

In addition to complying with the requirements of Subchapter D, Chapter 822 of the Texas Health and Safety Code, as amended, a person shall, not later than the 30th day after learning that he/she is the owner of a dangerous dog:

• Register the dangerous dog with the local animal control agency and pay a $50 dangerous dog registration fee
• Restrain the dangerous dog at all times on a leash, in the immediate control of a person, or in a secure enclosure
• Obtain liability insurance coverage or show financial responsibility in an amount of at least $100,000 to cover damages resulting from an attack by the dangerous dog causing bodily injury to a person and provide proof of the required liability insurance coverage or financial responsibility to the animal control agency
• Place and maintain on the dangerous dog a collar or harness with a current dangerous dog registration tag securely attached to it
• Notify the animal control agency in which the dangerous dog was registered of any attacks the dangerous dog makes on people
• Renew registration of the dangerous dog with the animal control agency annually and pay an annual dangerous dog registration fee of $50 and
• Comply with any other regulations regarding dangerous dog ownership as set forth in State and Local Laws

Animal Bites

A person bitten or scratched by an animal should report the incident by calling Bonham Animal Control at 903-640-8245. Bonham Animal Control will investigate the incident and quarantine the animal if the attack caused broken skin.

If the dog caused bodily injury, a person may request a dangerous dog hearing. For further information, contact Bonham Animal Control at 903-640-8245 and ask for Jimmy Gilbert or Freddie Wright.