By:  Edwards                                                      H.B. No. 1096


A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the regulation of dogs in certain municipalities; creating an offense. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Chapter 822, Health and Safety Code, is amended by adding Subchapter F to read as follows:
SUBCHAPTER F. REGULATION OF DOGS IN CERTAIN MUNICIPALITIES
Sec. 822.151. APPLICABILITY; APPLICABILITY OF OTHER LAW. (a) This subchapter applies only to a municipality with a population of 1.9 million or more. (b) Subchapter D does not apply to a municipality subject to this subchapter. Sec. 822.152. DEFINITIONS. In this subchapter: (1) "Dog" means a domesticated animal that is a member of the canine family. (2) "Owner" means a person who owns or has custody or control of the dog. (3) "Secure enclosure" means a fenced area or structure that is: (A) locked; (B) capable of preventing the entry of the general public, including children; (C) capable of preventing the escape or release of a dog; and (D) clearly marked as containing a dog. Sec. 822.153. ATTACK BY DOG. (a) A person acting with criminal negligence commits an offense if the person is the owner of a dog and the dog makes an unprovoked attack on another person. (b) An offense under this section is a Class B misdemeanor, unless the attack causes serious bodily injury or death, in which event the offense is a third-degree felony. (c) If a person is found guilty of an offense under this section, the court shall order the dog destroyed by a person listed in Section 822.004. (d) In addition to criminal prosecution, a person who commits an offense under this section is liable for a civil penalty not to exceed $10,000. An attorney for a municipality where the offense occurred may file suit in a court of competent jurisdiction to collect the penalty. Penalties collected under this subsection shall be retained by the municipality. Sec. 822.154. REQUIREMENT OF LEASH OR ENCLOSURE. (a) Notwithstanding Section 822.031, an owner of a dog must restrain the dog at all times on a leash in the immediate control of the owner when the dog is not on the owner's property, or in a secure enclosure. (b) A person who owns or keeps custody or control of a dog commits an offense if the person fails to comply with this section. (c) Except as provided by Subsection (d), an offense under this section is a Class C misdemeanor. (d) An offense under this section is a Class B misdemeanor if it is shown on the trial of the offense that the defendant has previously been convicted under this section. Sec. 822.155. DEFENSE. (a) It is a defense to prosecution under this subchapter that the person is a veterinarian, a peace officer, a person employed by a recognized animal shelter, or a person employed by the state or a political subdivision of the state to deal with stray animals and has temporary ownership, custody, or control of the dog in connection with that position. (b) It is a defense to prosecution under this subchapter that the person is an employee of the institutional division of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice or a law enforcement agency and trains or uses dogs for law enforcement or corrections purposes. (c) It is a defense to prosecution under this subchapter that the person is a dog trainer or an employee of a guard dog company under Chapter 1702, Occupations Code. (d) It is a defense to prosecution under this subchapter that the person is disabled and uses the dog to provide assistance and the dog is trained to provide assistance to a person with a disability. (e) It is a defense to prosecution under this subchapter that, at the time of the conduct charged, the person and the dog are within the boundaries of a park designated as a dog park by the municipality. (f) It is a defense to prosecution under this subchapter that, at the time of the conduct charged, the person and the dog are participating in or training for a show, test, or trial organized by a recognized sanctioning body for dog shows, tests, or trials. SECTION 2. Subchapter F, Chapter 822, Health and Safety Code, as added 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 covered by the law applicable to the offense when the offense was committed, and that 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 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2005.