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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to an animal cruelty public awareness campaign by the |
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Texas Animal Health Commission. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subchapter C, Chapter 161, Agriculture Code, is |
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amended by adding Section 161.0604 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 161.0604. ANIMAL CRUELTY PUBLIC AWARENESS CAMPAIGN. |
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(a) In this section: |
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(1) "Animal" includes: |
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(A) livestock, exotic livestock, domestic fowl, |
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and exotic fowl; and |
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(B) a domesticated living creature, including |
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any stray or feral cat or dog, and a wild living creature previously |
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captured. |
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(2) "Animal cruelty" means an offense under Section |
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42.09 or 42.092, Penal Code. |
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(b) The commission shall establish an animal cruelty public |
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awareness campaign to prevent animal cruelty by raising awareness |
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among the general public of issues relating to animal cruelty. |
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(c) As part of the campaign, the commission shall establish |
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and maintain an Internet website dedicated to the animal cruelty |
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public awareness campaign. The website must include information |
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on: |
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(1) where to take an abandoned or found animal; |
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(2) who to contact if an animal is in need of medical |
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attention; and |
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(3) animal cruelty laws. |
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(d) The commission may solicit and accept gifts and grants |
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for purposes of conducting the animal cruelty public awareness |
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campaign under this section. |
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SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025. |