The bill would amend the Penal Code by making the restraint of a dog with a chain or tether attached to a tree, stake, or other stationary object for eight or more hours in a 24-hour period punishable as a Class A misdemeanor, except that the offense would be a state jail felony if the person had been previously convicted two times of the offense.  The bill includes exceptions to the application of the proposed provision of the Penal Code.  

A Class A misdemeanor is punishable by confinement in county jail for a term not to exceed one year, a fine not to exceed $4,000, or both fine and imprisonment.

A state jail felony is punishable by confinement in a state jail for any term of not more than two years or less than 180 days, or, in addition to confinement, a fine not to exceed $10,000.

It is assumed that the number of offenders convicted under this statute would not result in a significant impact on the programs and workload of state corrections agencies or on the demand for resources and services of those agencies.