LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD
Austin, Texas
 
CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT STATEMENT
 
80TH LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION
 
May 17, 2007

TO:
Honorable John Whitmire, Chair, Senate Committee on Criminal Justice
 
FROM:
John S. O'Brien, Director, Legislative Budget Board
 
IN RE:
HB916 by Menendez (Relating to the prosecution and punishment of dog fighting.), As Engrossed

The bill would amend the Penal Code relating to the offense of dog fighting to: 1) increase the punishment of causing a dog to fight with another dog from a Class A misdemeanor to a state jail felony and 2) increase the punishment of attending as a spectator an exhibition of dog fighting from a Class C misdemeanor to a Class A misdemeanor.

 

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.

 

In fiscal year 2006, less than ten offenders were admitted to and released from state jail for the offense of dog fighting.  In fiscal year 2005, less than ten offenders were placed on community supervision for state jail felony dog fighting or misdemeanor dog fighting.  Assuming the same number of offenders in future years, implementation of the bill is not expected to have a significant impact on criminal justice populations.


Source Agencies:
LBB Staff:
JOB, TM