Texas Senate Bill SB2006

Texas 2019 - 86th Regular

Caption

Relating to creating the criminal offense of possession of an animal by a person who has been previously convicted of an offense involving animal cruelty.

Impact

If passed, SB2006 would establish that any person convicted of animal cruelty crimes, defined under various sections of the Penal Code or comparable laws from other jurisdictions, would be subject to criminal penalties if they are found to possess or control an animal. This would likely lead to increased enforcement measures and could serve to deter individuals with a history of such offenses from acquiring pets or engaging with animals in a domestic setting.

Summary

SB2006 seeks to create a criminal offense regarding the possession of animals by individuals who have previously been convicted of animal cruelty offenses. This legislation is significant as it expands the legal measures aimed at preventing individuals with a history of animal cruelty from being able to own or control animals. The bill amends the Penal Code by introducing a new section which explicitly defines the offense of possession for those with prior convictions under specific statutes related to animal welfare.

Contention

Notably, there may be points of contention surrounding SB2006 regarding how this legislation could impact individuals who may have reformed since their conviction. Critics might express concerns about the fairness of preventing a person from owning pets indefinitely, as this could affect their quality of life. On the other hand, proponents may argue that this measure is a necessary safeguard against animal cruelty and reflects society's responsibility to protect animals from those who may pose a risk due to their past behaviors.