By: Kolkhorst S.B. No. 552
(Jetton)
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to an annual report regarding certain dog bites.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter A, Chapter 822, Health and Safety
Code, is amended by adding Section 822.008 to read as follows:
Sec. 822.008. ANNUAL REPORT OF DOG BITES. Each animal
control authority shall submit to the Department of State Health
Services in the form and manner prescribed by the department an
annual report regarding dog bites that occurred in the preceding
year in the authority's jurisdiction and resulted in bodily injury,
serious bodily injury, or death of a person. The report must
include the following information for each dog bite:
(1) the date of the dog bite;
(2) the county or municipality in which the dog bite
occurred;
(3) the age of the victim of the dog bite;
(4) the breed of the dog that caused the dog bite;
(5) whether the dog bite resulted in bodily injury,
serious bodily injury, or death;
(6) whether the victim as a result of the injuries
sustained received:
(A) emergency medical treatment at an emergency
medical care facility or hospital emergency room; or
(B) inpatient treatment at a hospital;
(7) whether the dog was previously determined to be a
dangerous dog under Subchapter D;
(8) whether the dog had previously bitten a person,
resulting in bodily injury, serious bodily injury, or death; and
(9) whether as a result of the dog bite a person was
charged with a criminal offense under this chapter or any other law.
SECTION 2. Notwithstanding Section 822.008, Health and
Safety Code, as added by this Act, an animal control authority is
not required to submit a report until December 1, 2022.
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2021.