LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD
Austin, Texas
 
CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT STATEMENT
 
80TH LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION
 
May 18, 2007

TO:
Honorable Tom Craddick, Speaker of the House, House of Representatives
 
FROM:
John S. O'Brien, Director, Legislative Budget Board
 
IN RE:
HB1355 by Gattis (Relating to dog attacks on persons; creating an offense.), As Passed 2nd House

This bill would amend the Health and Safety Code as it relates to dog attacks on persons.  Under the provisions of the bill, a dog attack which results in serious bodily injury would be punishable as a felony of the third degree and a dog attack which results in death would be punishable as a felony of the second degree.  A dog attack that results in bodily injury would remain punishable as a Class C Misdemeanor.  The bill would also repeal Section 822.044 (d), Health and Safety Code.

A Class C Misdemeanor is punishable by a fine not to exceed $500.

A felony of the third degree is punishable by imprisonment in the institutional division for any term of not more than 10 years or less than 2 years, or, in addition to confinement, a fine not to exceed $10,000.

A felony of the second degree is punishable by imprisonment in the institutional division for any term of not more than 20 years or less than 2 years, or, in addition to confinement, a fine not to exceed $10,000.

The impact of this bill on correctional populations would depend on how many persons would be prosecuted under the provision of this bill.  For this analysis it is assumed 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.



Source Agencies:
LBB Staff:
JOB, GG, LM