85R1259 AJZ-F
By: Davis of Harris, Anderson of Dallas, H.B. No. 1156
Minjarez, Laubenberg, Farrar, et al.
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the unlawful restraint of a dog; creating an offense.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Chapter 821, Health and Safety Code, is amended
by adding Subchapter E to read as follows:
SUBCHAPTER E. UNLAWFUL RESTRAINT OF DOG
Sec. 821.101. DEFINITIONS. In this subchapter:
(1) "Adequate shelter" means a clean and sturdy
structure that:
(A) allows the dog protection from rain, hail,
sleet, snow, and subfreezing temperatures; and
(B) is large enough to allow the dog to stand
erect, sit, turn around, and lie down in a normal manner.
(2) "Collar" means any collar constructed of nylon,
leather, or similar material, specifically designed to be used for
a dog.
(3) "Harness" means any harness constructed of nylon,
leather, or similar material, specifically designed to be used for
a dog.
(4) "Owner" means a person who owns or has custody or
control of a dog.
(5) "Properly fitted" means, with respect to a collar
or harness used for a dog, a collar or harness that:
(A) is the appropriate size for the dog based on
the dog's size and body weight;
(B) does not choke the dog or impede the dog's
normal breathing or swallowing; and
(C) is attached to the dog in a manner that does
not allow for escape and does not cause pain or injury to the dog.
(6) "Restraint" means a chain, rope, tether, leash,
cable, or other device that attaches a dog to a stationary object or
trolley system.
Sec. 821.102. UNLAWFUL RESTRAINT OF DOG. (a) An owner may
not leave a dog outside and unattended by use of a restraint unless
the owner provides the dog access to:
(1) adequate shelter;
(2) an area that allows the dog to avoid standing
water;
(3) shade from direct sunlight; and
(4) potable water.
(b) An owner may not restrain a dog outside and unattended
by use of a restraint that:
(1) is a chain;
(2) has weights attached;
(3) is shorter in length than the greater of:
(A) five times the length of the dog, as measured
from the tip of the dog's nose to the base of the dog's tail; or
(B) 10 feet;
(4) is not attached to a properly fitted collar or
harness; or
(5) causes pain or injury to the dog.
Sec. 821.103. EXCEPTIONS. (a) Section 821.102 does not
apply to:
(1) a dog restrained in a public camping or
recreational area in compliance with the requirements of the public
camping or recreational area as defined by a federal, state, or
local authority or jurisdiction;
(2) a dog restrained while the owner and dog are
engaged in, or actively training for, an activity that is conducted
pursuant to a valid license issued by this state if the activity for
which the license is issued is associated with the use or presence
of a dog;
(3) a dog restrained while the owner and dog are
engaged in conduct directly related to the business of shepherding
or herding cattle or livestock;
(4) a dog restrained while the owner and dog are
engaged in conduct directly related to the business of cultivating
agricultural products; or
(5) a dog left in an open-air truck bed for no longer
than necessary for the owner to complete a temporary task that
required the dog to be left in the truck bed.
(b) Section 821.102(b)(3) does not apply to a restraint that
is attached to a trolley system that allows a dog to move along a
running line for a distance that equals or exceeds the lengths
specified under that subdivision.
(c) This subchapter does not prohibit a person from walking
a dog with a handheld leash.
Sec. 821.104. OFFENSE; PENALTY. (a) A person commits an
offense if the person knowingly violates this subchapter. The
restraint of each dog with respect to which there is a violation is
a separate offense.
(b) An offense under this subchapter is a Class C
misdemeanor, except that the offense is a Class B misdemeanor if the
person has previously been convicted under this subchapter.
(c) If conduct constituting an offense under this
subchapter also constitutes an offense under any other law, the
actor may be prosecuted under this section, the other law, or both.
Sec. 821.105. EFFECT OF SUBCHAPTER ON OTHER LAW. (a) This
subchapter does not affect the applicability of any law, rule,
order, ordinance, or other legal requirement of this state or a
political subdivision of this state.
(b) This subchapter does not prevent a municipality or
county from prohibiting or further regulating by ordinance or order
the ownership, possession, restraint, confinement, or care of a
dog.
SECTION 2. Subchapter D, Chapter 821, Health and Safety
Code, is repealed.
SECTION 3. The change in law made by this Act applies only
to an offense committed on or after the effective date of this Act.
An offense committed before the effective date of this Act is
governed by the law in effect on the date the offense was committed,
and the former law is continued in effect for that purpose. For
purposes of this section, an offense was committed before the
effective date of this Act if any element of the offense occurred
before that date.
SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2017.