Texas Health and Safety Code - HEALTH & SAFETY § 822.001. Definitions

(1) “Animal control authority” means a municipal or county animal control office with authority over the area in which the dog is kept or the county sheriff in an area that does not have an animal control office.

(2) “Serious bodily injury” means an injury characterized by severe bite wounds or severe ripping and tearing of muscle that would cause a reasonably prudent person to seek treatment from a medical professional and would require hospitalization without regard to whether the person actually sought medical treatment.

(3) “Dangerous dog,” “dog,” “owner,” and “secure enclosure” have the meanings assigned by Section 822.041.

(4) “Secure” means to take steps that a reasonable person would take to ensure a dog remains on the owner's property, including confining the dog in an enclosure that is capable of preventing the escape or release of the dog.