Sec. 785.004. RESPONSIBILITIES OF HANDLERS; CIVIL LIABILITY. (a) A handler who accompanies a search and rescue dog shall keep the dog properly harnessed or leashed. A person may maintain a cause of action against a dog's handler for personal injury, property damage, or death resulting from the failure of the dog's handler to properly harness or leash the dog under the same law applicable to other causes brought for the redress of injuries caused by animals.
(b) The handler of a search and rescue dog is liable for any property damage caused by the search and rescue dog to a public facility or to housing accommodations.
(c) A governmental unit, as defined by Section 101.001, Civil Practice and Remedies Code, is subject to liability under this section only as provided by Chapter 101, Civil Practice and Remedies Code. A public servant, as defined by Section 108.001, Civil Practice and Remedies Code, is subject to liability under this section only as provided by Chapter 108, Civil Practice and Remedies Code.
Added by Acts 2013, 83rd Leg., R.S., Ch. 466 (S.B. 1010), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2013.