Lubbock council approves first reading of dangerous-dog ordinance that shifts determinations and raises insurance requirement

The Lubbock City Council on Nov. 11 approved on first reading an amendment to Chapter 4 of the city code revising how "dangerous dogs" are declared and regulated. The measure, as amended, aligns the city ordinance more closely with state law, moves initial determinations out of a public administrative hearing process, and increases the minimum liability-insurance requirement for declared dangerous dogs.

Taylor Ruggles, assistant director with Lubbock Animal Services, told the council the proposal would distinguish "dangerous dog" from the broader "dangerous animal" designation and would remove the requirement for a pre-declaration public hearing. Under the proposal, staff would accept a notarized dangerous-dog affidavit, investigate with witness statements, and notify owners if a dog is declared dangerous. Owners would have 30 days to come into compliance (previously 15 days) or could file an appeal at municipal court within 15 days. Ruggles noted the ordinance would require an annual dangerous-dog permit and updated proof of liability insurance.

Council debate focused on two issues: due process and the practical availability of higher insurance limits. Several members argued hearings help separate disputing neighbors and ensure fairness; others said administrative hearings placed undue burden on animal-control staff and that moving formal adjudication to municipal court provides stronger due-process protections. Councilmember Glasheen and others asked whether attacks on other animals (for example, chickens) should still count toward a dangerous-dog determination; council and the city attorney said the proposed language can still capture animal attacks when a reasonable person could conclude the behavior poses a risk to humans.

The ordinance draft initially proposed increasing required liability insurance from $250,000 (the state baseline noted in statute) to $1,000,000. Staff acknowledged they had not fully verified the availability and cost of $1,000,000 policies locally but reported that some municipalities use higher figures. Council voted down a motion to keep the insurance minimum at $250,000 and approved the ordinance as amended by a 6-1 vote on first reading. The approved motion also changed discretionary investigatory language ("may investigate") to a mandatory form ("shall investigate") and clarified that the director of animal control would sign determinations where the ordinance permits.

Councilmembers and staff agreed to collect more insurance-market information before second reading so the council can revisit the insurance level if needed. The ordinance provides an appeals path to municipal court for owners who dispute administrative determinations, and staff emphasized that enforcement and investigation practices will continue, including officer statements, affidavits and the ability to house animals as required for quarantine or safety.