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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to standards of care for dogs and cats; creating an |
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offense. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subchapter D, Chapter 821, Health and Safety |
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Code, is amended by adding Section 821.082 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 821.082. ENCLOSURE OF DOGS AND CATS. (a) In this |
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section: |
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(a) An owner may not place dogs or cats in a primary |
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enclosure on top of another primary enclosure without an impervious |
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barrier between the enclosures. |
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SECTION 2. Section 821.079 is applied should an owner |
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violate section 821.082. |
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SECTION 3. STUDY OF STANDARDS OF CARE FOR DOGS AND CATS. |
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The executive commissioner shall conduct a study regarding the |
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proper standards for care and confinement for dogs and cats to |
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ensure the overall health and welfare of each dog or cat. Not later |
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than August 31, 2012, the executive commissioner shall submit a |
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report to the chairs of the appropriate legislative committees |
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summarizing the findings of the study required by this section. |
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This subsection expires September 1, 2013. Rules may be |
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adopted from recommendations of the study. A member of a club or an |
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affiliate organization of a national kennel club whose mission is |
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stated in the charter and bylaws to "advocate the purebred dog as a |
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family companion, advance canine health and well-being, work to |
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protect the rights of all dog owners and promote responsible dog |
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ownership" is exempt from rules that may be adopted. |
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SECTION 4. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives |
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a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as |
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provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this |
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Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this |
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Act takes effect September 1, 2011. |