Dog theft? (Austin: home, neighborhood, live)

[lndigo]

Hello, we will be relocating from the River Hills/Cuernavaca area into the city and were wondering what the situation for dogs is. More particularly to the Windsor Hills (i-35/Rundberg) or Lamplight Village (MoPac/Parmer) area in north Austin. We have two beautiful dogs in our family, including a white husky. I wouldn't be worried, but our husky is a bit of an escape artist, and we have relied on calls from good samaritans in the past. I have never lived in the city before. What could a person reasonably expect to happen to an adventuring dog? Please and thank you; this will affect our moving decision.

[EzPeterson]

My biggest concern in those areas would be the dog being struck by a car, as some of the arterial roads there are pretty heavily trafficked at 60MPH+ speed limits.

Get them chipped and tagged, and you'll find the same good samaritans.

[Komeht]

Originally Posted by lndigo

Hello, we will be relocating from the River Hills/Cuernavaca area into the city and were wondering what the situation for dogs is. More particularly to the Windsor Hills (i-35/Rundberg) or Lamplight Village (MoPac/Parmer) area in north Austin. We have two beautiful dogs in our family, including a white husky. I wouldn't be worried, but our husky is a bit of an escape artist, and we have relied on calls from good samaritans in the past. I have never lived in the city before. What could a person reasonably expect to happen to an adventuring dog? Please and thank you; this will affect our moving decision.

It is cruel to allow your dogs to wonder outside on city streets. If you can't keep your dogs confined to the yard and home you should stay in the country.

[oldtoiletsmkgdflrpots]

Originally Posted by lndigo

What could a person reasonably expect to happen to an adventuring dog? Please and thank you; this will affect our moving decision.

Animal Control.

[OpenD]

A couple of things to know about owning a dog in Austin that might be different from wherever you're from:

1) Dogs cannot be tethered or chained outdoors. No ziplines allowed. Another way of saying it is that if a tether has a dog on one end, it must have a person on the other end.

2) Owners are legally responsible for ensuring their dogs are properly secured on their property and can't get loose. If the dog escapes, the dog owner is liable and can be charged.

Absolutely make sure your dog is chipped and tagged and that all information is up to date.

[barrelofmonkeys]

As another husky owner and soon-to-be Austinite, I'm learning a lot from this thread! Wishing you the best--

[barrelofmonkeys]

I mentioned this thread to my husband and he wondered about tethering a dog in front of a store (while the owner is inside briefly, of course). This is quite common in our urban neighborhood near Boston and many businesses place water bowls for dogs outside the entrance. Is this actually illegal in Austin?

[owlman]

Technically, yes, you are only allowed to tether your dog and leave "during a lawful animal event, veterinary treatment, grooming, training, or law enforcement activity." Although I don't know if anyone actually gets cited for a quick hop into a store like that.

[OpenD]

I wouldn't worry about it for that kind of thing, if it is indeed brief, but people do get ticketed for staking their dog out in the yard, and they do get cited if their dog escapes and causes any problems.

If anything, I would say that Austin is more dog friendly than many places, with a lot of restaurants allowing dogs on outside patio areas, and several parks having leash-free areas, but the flip side is that they have higher expectations of owners being in control of their dogs... on leash in public, securely enclosed at home, etc.