By: White H.B. No. 2833
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the classification and care of working dogs.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. DEFINITION. In this Act a "working dog" means:
(1) A dog used primarily for the purpose of driving,
tending, locating, working, or protecting stock to include domestic
and feral stock, swine and exotics;
(2) A dog used for police, military, substance
detection, protection, search, rescue or recovery purposes;
(3) A dog used as a service, assistance or therapy
animal;
(4) A dog used to locate, retrieve, or capture an
animal, or used in the recovery of wounded or dead animals;
(5) A dog that is in training for any of the above
purposes;
(6) The definition does not rely upon where the dog
lives, or its breed, but its primary use;
SECTION 2. A dog that is defined as a "working dog" is not
considered a pet and will be exempt from laws intended to apply to
pets.
(2) A working dog will not be subject to laws:
(a) Requiring mandatory spay or neuter;
(b) Restricting or requiring permits for the number of
animals an owner may possess, regardless of reproductive status;
(c) Restricting how the dog may be housed;
(d) Requiring additional insurance due to weight, breed,
sex, or reproductive status of the dog;
(e) Restricting breeds that may be kept by the owner.
SECTION 3. Section 42.09, Penal Code applies to the care of
working dogs.
SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2011.