H.B. No. 151
AN ACT
relating to offenses involving dogs or coyotes that are a danger to
livestock and other animals.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter B, Chapter 822, Health and Safety
Code, is amended by amending the subchapter and by transferring
Section 822.033 to the subchapter, renumbering that section as
Section 822.013, and amending that section to read as follows:
SUBCHAPTER B. DOGS AND COYOTES THAT ARE A DANGER TO ANIMALS
Sec. 822.011. DEFINITIONS. In this subchapter:
(1) "Dog or coyote" includes a crossbreed between a
dog and a coyote.
(2) "Livestock" includes exotic livestock as defined
by Section 161.001, Agriculture Code.
Sec. 822.012. CERTAIN DOGS AND COYOTES PROHIBITED FROM
RUNNING AT LARGE; CRIMINAL PENALTY. (a) The owner, keeper, or
person in control of a dog or coyote that the owner, keeper, or
person knows is accustomed to run, worry, or kill livestock,
domestic animals, or fowls [goats, sheep, or poultry] may not
permit the dog or coyote to run at large.
(b) A person who violates this section commits an offense.
An offense under this subsection is punishable by a fine of not more
than $100.
(c) Each time a dog or coyote runs at large in violation of
this section constitutes a separate offense.
Sec. 822.013 [822.033]. DOGS OR COYOTES THAT ATTACK
[DOMESTIC] ANIMALS. (a) A dog or coyote that is attacking, is
about to attack, or has recently attacked livestock, [sheep, goats,
calves, or other] domestic animals, or fowls may be killed by:
(1) any person witnessing the attack; or
(2) the attacked animal's owner or a person acting on
behalf of the owner if the owner or person has [having] knowledge of
the attack.
(b) A person who kills a dog or coyote as provided by this
section is not liable for damages to the owner, keeper, or person in
control of the dog or coyote.
(c) A person who discovers on the person's property a dog or
coyote known or suspected of having killed livestock, [sheep,
goats, calves, or other] domestic animals, or fowls [is a public
nuisance. Any person] may detain or impound the dog or coyote and
return it to its [until the dog's] owner or deliver the dog or
coyote to the local animal control authority. The owner of the dog
or coyote is liable for all costs incurred in the capture and care
of the dog or coyote [is notified] and all damage done by the dog or
coyote [has been determined and paid to the proper persons].
(d) The owner, keeper, or person in control of a dog or
coyote that is known to have attacked livestock, [sheep, goats,
calves, or other] domestic animals, or fowls shall control the dog
or coyote in a manner approved by the local animal control authority
[kill the dog. A sheriff, deputy sheriff, constable, police
officer, magistrate, or county commissioner may enter the premises
of the owner of the dog and kill the dog if the owner fails to do
so].
(e) A person is not required to acquire a hunting license
under Section 42.002, Parks and Wildlife Code, to kill a dog or
coyote under this section.
SECTION 2. Sections 822.032 and 822.034, Health and Safety
Code, are repealed.
SECTION 3. The change in law made by this Act to Section
822.011, Health and Safety Code, 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 covered by the
law in effect when 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, 2003.
Vet didn't have a good lawyer.
Texas House Bill took effect 2003
Doesn't matter what he used keep your dog at home.
Best defense shoot straight
Dig Deep
And most of all keep your mouth shut.
Most of all I love all the cowards that dump the puppies and dogs to be someone elses problem.