2015S0475-1 03/12/15
By: Menendez S.B. No. 1781
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to euthanasia as a last resort in a county or municipal
animal shelter in certain counties.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter C, Chapter 821, Health and Safety
Code, is amended by adding Section 821.0521 to read as follows:
Sec. 821.0521. EUTHANASIA AS LAST RESORT. (a) This
section applies only to a county or municipal animal shelter in a
county having a population of more than 500,000.
(b) A dog, cat, or other companion animal impounded in an
animal shelter may not be euthanized if there is an empty cage,
kennel, or other living environment in the shelter in which to
safely place the animal or if the animal can safely share a cage,
kennel, or other living environment in the shelter with another
animal of the same species.
(c) This section does not apply to:
(1) an animal suspected of carrying and exhibiting
signs of rabies, as determined by a licensed veterinarian;
(2) a dog that, after severely injuring a person, has
been determined by a court having competent jurisdiction to be a
dangerous dog under state law; or
(3) an animal who has a poor or grave prognosis for
being able to live without severe, unremitting pain even with
comprehensive, prompt, and necessary veterinary care, as
determined by a licensed veterinarian.
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2015.