By: Shaheen H.B. No. 399

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to a dog's restraint and shelter.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. This Act shall be known as the Mr. Wilson Act.

SECTION 2. The heading to Subchapter D, Chapter 821, Health and Safety Code, is amended to read as follows:

SUBCHAPTER D. [UNLAWFUL] RESTRAINT OF AND SHELTER FOR DOG

SECTION 3. Section 821.076, Health and Safety Code, is amended by amending Subdivision (1) and adding Subdivision (1-a) to read as follows:

(1) "Adequate shelter" means a sturdy structure that:

(A) allows the dog protection from the rain, hail, sleet, snow, and subfreezing temperatures; and

(B) allows the dog while in the shelter to stand erect, sit, turn around, and lie down in a normal position.

(1-a) "Collar" means any collar constructed of nylon, leather, or similar material, specifically designed to be used for a dog.

SECTION 4. Section 821.077, Health and Safety Code, is amended to read as follows:

Sec. 821.077. [UNLAWFUL] RESTRAINT OF AND SHELTER FOR DOG. (a) An owner may not leave a dog outside and unattended by use of a restraint that unreasonably limits the dog's movement[:

[(1) between the hours of 10 p.m. and 6 a.m.;

[(2) within 500 feet of the premises of a school; or

[(3) in the case of extreme weather conditions, including conditions in which:

[(A) the actual or effective outdoor temperature is below 32 degrees Fahrenheit;

[(B) a heat advisory has been issued by a local or state authority or jurisdiction; or

[(C) a hurricane, tropical storm, or tornado warning has been issued for the jurisdiction by the National Weather Service].

(b) In this section, a restraint unreasonably limits a dog's movement if the restraint:

(1) is attached to [uses] a collar that is pinch-type, prong-type, or choke-type or that is not properly fitted to the dog;

(2) is a length shorter than the greater of:

(A) five times the length of the dog, as measured from the tip of the dog's nose to the base of the dog's tail; or

(B) 10 feet; or

(3) is a chain [in an unsafe condition; or

[(4) causes injury to the dog].

(c) An owner may not leave a dog outside and unattended by use of a restraint unless the owner provides the dog access to adequate shelter.

SECTION 5. Section 821.078, Health and Safety Code, is amended to read as follows:

Sec. 821.078. EXCEPTIONS. Section 821.077 does not apply to:

(1) a dog restrained by the owner or another person for not longer than the time necessary for the owner to engage in an activity that requires the dog to be temporarily restrained [restrained to a running line, pulley, or trolley system and that is not restrained to the running line, pulley, or trolley system by means of a pinch-type, prong-type, choke-type, or improperly fitted collar];

(2) a dog restrained in compliance with the requirements of a camping or recreational area as defined by a federal, state, or local authority or jurisdiction;

(3) a dog restrained for a reasonable period, not to exceed three hours in a 24-hour period, and no longer than is necessary for the owner to complete a temporary task that requires the dog to be restrained;

(4) a dog restrained while the owner and the dog are [is] engaged in, or actively training for, an activity that is conducted pursuant to a valid license issued by this state if the activity for which the license is issued is associated with the use or presence of a dog;

(5) a dog restrained while the owner and the dog are [is] engaged in conduct directly related to the business of shepherding or herding cattle or livestock; [or]

(6) a dog restrained while the owner and the dog are [is] engaged in conduct directly related to the business of cultivating agricultural products, if the restraint is reasonably necessary for the safety of the dog;

(7) a dog restrained while the owner and dog are engaged in, or actively training for, hunting or field trialing; or

(8) a dog left in an open-air truck bed for not longer than the time necessary for the owner to complete a temporary task that requires the dog to be left in the truck bed.

SECTION 6. Section 821.079(c), Health and Safety Code, is amended to read as follows:

(c) Except as otherwise provided by this section, an [A person commits an offense if the person is provided a statement described by Subsection (b) and fails to comply with this subchapter within 24 hours of the time the owner is provided the statement. An] offense under this section [subsection] is a Class C misdemeanor.

SECTION 7. Section 821.079(b), Health and Safety Code, is repealed.

SECTION 8. The change in law made by this Act applies only to an offense committed on or after the effective date of this Act. An offense committed before the effective date of this Act is governed by the law as it existed on the date the offense was committed, and the former law is continued in effect for that purpose. For purposes of this section, an offense was committed before the effective date of this Act if any element of the offense occurred before that date.

SECTION 9. This Act takes effect September 1, 2021.