TX · One-bite / negligence
Texas dog bite law
Texas is the largest one-bite state. A first bite is not automatically the owner’s problem — unless they knew, or they broke a restraint rule.
- Liability
- One-bite / negligence
- Statute
- No general strict-liability bite statute (local dangerous-dog rules apply)
- Deadline to file
- 2 years · Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 16.003
- Bites only?
- Injuries more broadly
Houston, Dallas, Austin, and San Antonio all run their own dangerous-dog and restraint ordinances. Those ordinances are often the case.
Two years from the bite. Landlords who knew about a tenant’s dog can be additional defendants. Insurance still pays most of what gets paid.
Exceptions insurers will mention
Owner liable with knowledge of dangerous propensities, or for negligence (including leash and restraint failures). Cities keep dangerous-dog ordinances.
How Texas cases are actually proved
Prior bites, lunging, “he doesn’t like the mail carrier,” a broken gate, and a city running-at-large ticket. Neighbors are the witnesses. Animal control is the archive.
Compare the national split in strict liability vs one-bite, and confirm your clock on statute of limitations.
Similar liability rules
This page is general information, not legal advice, and is not a substitute for a lawyer licensed in your state. Statutes change. Confirm the current rule and your deadline with counsel before you rely on a date.