In Honor of Susan Lynn Hoffman
By Allan Jamail
Jacinto City, TX. ~ I dedicate this article to Susan Lynn Hoffman, the daughter of the North Channel Star Editor and Publisher Gilbert Hoffman. She died unexpectedly May 23, 2023 at the age of 64, from Cardiac Arrest suffered during a scheduled heart procedure.
Susan’s interests included taking care for every conceivable stray animal she encountered.
She cared for many stray animals, including cats, dogs, and birds. She kept some, but found Foster homes when possible. She supported animal shelters and encouraged others to do the same. Susan, Sgt. Pierson and I love dogs and cats, we have this in common.
On July 30, 2026 at the Jacinto City Park I met pet loving citizens Angelica Torres (The Sourdough Girl) and her mom Maria Torres along with their pet dogs Kasper and Luna. (see photo)
EXTREME HEATWAVE CONCERNS:
Angelica and Maria were anxious to help with my article in hopes readers would take notice of it and take some special care and extra steps this summer to prevent the mistreatment of pets.
It’s highly recommended instead of the normal summer care for pets pet owners this summer will change their outdoor pets water several times each day to insure they have plenty of cool fresh water and sufficient shade they can get out of the blazing hot sun light.
The Texas Safe Outdoor Act (TSOA) is a law which requires pet owners to adhere to and or conform to or risk prosecution. The law strikes the 24-hour waiting period so animal services and law enforcement can take immediate action for dogs in distress.
The TSOA in Texas will be enforced by local governments and law enforcement agencies and their officers. Cities and counties may appoint animal control officers to enforce animal-related laws and respond to complaints from the public. Law enforcement agencies can enforce laws relating to dangerous dogs that can attack people.
Patrol officers are on watch for outside pets being placed on a short leash less than 10 feet long in violation of TSOA. Also for anything that appears to be inflicting the mistreatment of a dog or cat.
Penalties for violating the new dog and cat laws include fines, seizure of the animal and even criminal charges and someone found guilty of animal cruelty could face jail time.
Some people take good care of their pets while at home indoors but then without thinking they’ll take their dogs out for a walk not realizing the hot pavement is well over 150 degrees on their paws. They sometime fail to realize the pavement temperatures are as hot on the dog’s paws exactly as it would be on their own bare feet. This is animal cruelty even though it’s unintentional.
HEAT STROKE SYMPTOMS & TREATMENT:
Texas law requires fresh cool water be made available to outdoor pets to prevent them from overheating and having a heat stroke and providing for their pets some shaded shelter out of the blazing hot sun.
Dogs or cats suffering from a heat stroke may have some of these symptoms; they’ll lie down, pant when breathing, have excessive drooling, has a fast heart beat. FIRST AID TREATMENT: immediately cool down the pet by wetting it with cool water but not ice water put a fan on it and take it to a veterinarian.
ALL DOGS & CATS REQUIRED TO BE REGISTERED & LICENSED IN THEIR CITY EVERY 6 MONTHS:
According to the Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 828, all dogs and cats must be registered with the local animal services agency by the time the animal is four months old.
NEW TEXAS LAW:
Pet owners must now renew their pet’s registration every six months rather than annually. This change aims to encourage more frequent veterinary visits and ensure vaccinations stay up-to-date. Failure to register or renew a pet’s license may result in late fees or civil penalties. However, some municipalities are using positive reinforcement by offering registration discounts for micro chipped pets.
TEXAS LAW MANDATES ALL DOGS & CATS MUST BE VACCINATED:
In Texas, all dogs and cats over 3 months of age must be vaccinated against rabies by a licensed veterinarian. The rabies vaccine must be administered every 1 or 3 years depending on the type of vaccine used.
Failure to vaccinate dogs against rabies may result in fines and owners can face criminal charges for allowing unvaccinated dogs to expose others to rabies. The city may also impose quarantines on dogs without proof of rabies vaccination.
TYING OUTDOOR DOGS / 10 FOOT RULE / DOG CHAINING IS ILLEGAL:
Texas passed the Safe Outdoor Dogs Act (TSOA) which establishes rules about tying and chaining dogs outdoors. Dog on chains is illegal. The main changes include:
All dogs must be kept on a leash or have a physical barrier separating them from the public when outside of their owner’s property.
Dogs cannot be tied unattended outdoors with a restraint less than 10 feet long.
The leash must be attached to a proper collar or harness, not directly around the dog’s neck. Tied up dogs must have access to drinkable water and adequate shelter from the sun, heat or freezing temperatures.
Under the TSOAct owners are now barred from tying up their dogs outside with chains or weigheddown restraints. The length of an outdoor restraint must be 10 feet long or five times the dog’s length from nose to tail. A good walking leash length in order to keep control of a dog is from four to six feet and not over ten feet.
Tying up a dog outside is prohibited when a heat advisory or hurricane, tropical storm, or severe thunderstorm warning has been issued. Tying dogs outdoors is banned when the temperature drops below 32°F for more than 4 consecutive hours.
These rules aim to prevent inhumane treatment and dangerous conditions for outdoor dogs in Texas. Violations are punishable under the state’s animal cruelty laws.
As a patrolman before I became chief of police~city marshal I had the city’s first official K-9 dog that was used on patrol in a police unit. My German Shepherd’s name was Susan but called Susie for short. Susie helped me one night apprehend a criminal who broke into the office of the Houston Wiper & Mill Supply Co. When out at night patrolling Susie always gave me a sense of security, I kept her window down, when stopping a vehicle as I talked to a driver she would bark loud and the driver knew my K- 9 was watching and nearby.
To review the Texas Laws: Chapter 821 of the Texas Health and Safety Code & Dangerous Dogs Chapter 822, Subchapters A & B, of the Texas Health and Safety Code.
REPORTING PET MISTREATMENT:
The public plays a role by reporting violations. Call your local law enforcement agency any time you suspect an animal’s basic needs are not being met. Phone numbers to keep in your cell phone for reporting any crime: Houston Police – 713-884-3131, Harris County Sheriff Office 713- 221-6000, Jacinto City Police – 713-672-2455, Galena Park Police – 713- 675-3471, Constable Pct. 2 Jerry Garcia – 713-477- 4070, Constable Pct. 3 Sherman Eagleton – 713- 274-2500.
**Angelica Torres (The Sourdough Girl) the owner of the Dosey Dough Bakery, she takes orders through her website on Hotplate.com/angelicabakes.
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