Texas House Bill HB1147

Texas 2009 - 81st Regular

• Out of House Committee: 4/22/09

Caption

Relating to conduct constituting the offense of dog fighting and to the criminal and civil consequences of committing that offense.

Impact

The implementation of HB 1147 is expected to have significant implications on state laws concerning animal rights and public safety. By increasing the penalties associated with dog fighting and related activities, it aims to deter this form of animal cruelty more effectively. The bill not only reinforces existing legal frameworks but also integrates new definitions that can lead to more rigorous enforcement actions. This change may also encourage local law enforcement agencies to allocate additional resources towards combating animal fighting operations, ultimately aiming to protect public welfare and animal rights.

Summary

House Bill 1147 addresses the offense of dog fighting by amending specific provisions of the Texas Penal Code. The bill clarifies and expands the definitions related to dog fighting conduct, stating that a person is guilty of an offense if they intentionally or knowingly cause a dog to fight with another, operate facilities for dog fighting, or attend such events as a spectator. The bill stipulates different penalties for various aspects of the offense, categorizing certain actions as Class A misdemeanors and others as state jail felonies, thus creating a more structured legal response to these activities.

Contention

During the discussions surrounding HB 1147, various stakeholders raised concerns about the implications of tougher penalties and potential unintended consequences. Advocates for animal rights praised the bill as a necessary step toward addressing the cruelty of dog fighting. In contrast, some mentioned that harsher legal repercussions could lead to an overburdening of the justice system with minor infractions or misinterpretations of the law. Additionally, there are concerns regarding the definitions used within the bill, as they could have broader implications for lawful dog training and other dog-related activities that do not involve fighting.