| TO: | Honorable John Whitmire, Chair, Senate Committee on Criminal Justice |
| FROM: | John S. O'Brien, Director, Legislative Budget Board |
| IN RE: | SB405 by Wentworth (Relating to the regulation of dogs; creating an offense.), As Introduced |
The bill would amend the Health and Safety Code to apply regulations of dogs to include all dogs, not just those defined under current statute as dangerous, and would amend some of the regulations. An offense for violating dog regulations would remain the same as for violating dangerous dog regulations under current statute.
Under the proposed legislation, if a person were to be found guilty of an offense, the court would be required to order the dog destroyed, whereas under current statute, the court has discretion in ordering a dangerous dog destroyed.
If the changes in applicability or stringency of dog regulations were to result in an increase in enforcement and prosecution, it is anticipated that associated costs could be absorbed using existing resources.
No significant fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.
| Source Agencies: |
| LBB Staff: | JOB, ES, DB
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