85R30209 AJZ-F
 
  By: Lucio S.B. No. 1090
 
  (Davis of Harris, Anderson of Dallas, Minjarez, Laubenberg,
 
  Farrar, et al.) 
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to the unlawful restraint of a dog; creating a criminal
  offense.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Chapter 821, Health and Safety Code, is amended
  by adding Subchapter E to read as follows:
  SUBCHAPTER E. UNLAWFUL RESTRAINT OF DOG
         Sec. 821.101.  DEFINITIONS. In this subchapter:
               (1)  "Adequate shelter" means a clean and sturdy
  structure that:
                     (A)  allows the dog protection from rain, hail,
  sleet, snow, and subfreezing temperatures; and
                     (B)  is large enough to allow the dog to stand
  erect, sit, turn around, and lie down in a normal manner.
               (2)  "Collar" means any collar constructed of nylon,
  leather, or similar material, specifically designed to be used for
  a dog.
               (3)  "Harness" means any harness constructed of nylon,
  leather, or similar material, specifically designed to be used for
  a dog.
               (4)  "Owner" means a person who owns or has custody or
  control of a dog.
               (5)  "Properly fitted" means, with respect to a collar
  or harness used for a dog, a collar or harness that:
                     (A)  is the appropriate size for the dog based on
  the dog's size and body weight;
                     (B)  does not choke the dog or impede the dog's
  normal breathing or swallowing; and
                     (C)  is attached to the dog in a manner that does
  not allow for escape and does not cause injury to the dog.
               (6)  "Restraint" means a chain, rope, tether, leash,
  cable, or other device that attaches a dog to a stationary object,
  pulley, or trolley system.
         Sec. 821.102.  UNLAWFUL RESTRAINT OF DOG. (a)  An owner may
  not leave a dog outside and unattended by use of a restraint unless
  the owner provides the dog access to:
               (1)  adequate shelter;
               (2)  an area that allows the dog to avoid standing
  water;
               (3)  shade from direct sunlight; and
               (4)  water.
         (b)  An owner may not restrain a dog outside and unattended
  by use of a restraint that:
               (1)  is a chain;
               (2)  has weights attached;
               (3)  is shorter in length 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;
               (4)  is not attached to a properly fitted collar or
  harness; or
               (5)  causes injury to the dog.
         Sec. 821.103.  EXCEPTIONS. (a)  Section 821.102 does not
  apply to:
               (1)  a dog restrained in a public camping or
  recreational area in compliance with the requirements of the public
  camping or recreational area as defined by a federal, state, or
  local authority or jurisdiction;
               (2)  a dog restrained while the owner and dog are
  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;
               (3)  a dog restrained while the owner and dog are
  engaged in conduct directly related to the business of shepherding
  or herding cattle or livestock;
               (4)  a dog restrained while the owner and dog are
  engaged in conduct directly related to the business of cultivating
  agricultural products;
               (5)  a dog left in an open-air truck bed for no longer
  than necessary for the owner to complete a temporary task that
  required the dog to be left in the truck bed;
               (6)  a dog taken by the owner, or another person with
  the owner's permission, from the owner's residence or property and
  restrained by the owner or the person for not longer than the time
  necessary for the owner to engage in an activity that requires the
  dog to be temporarily restrained; or
               (7)  a dog restrained while the owner and dog are
  engaged in, or actively training for, hunting or field trialing.
         (b)  Section 821.102(b)(3) does not apply to a restraint that
  is attached to a pulley or trolley system that allows a dog to move
  along a running line for a distance that equals or exceeds the
  lengths specified under that subdivision.
         (c)  This subchapter does not prohibit a person from walking
  a dog with a handheld leash.
         Sec. 821.104.  OFFENSE; PENALTY.  (a)  A person commits an
  offense if the person knowingly violates this subchapter. The
  restraint of each dog with respect to which there is a violation is
  a separate offense.
         (b)  An offense under this subchapter is a Class C
  misdemeanor.
         (c)  If conduct constituting an offense under this
  subchapter also constitutes an offense under any other law, the
  actor may be prosecuted under this section, the other law, or both.
         Sec. 821.105.  EFFECT OF SUBCHAPTER ON OTHER LAW. This
  subchapter does not preempt a local regulation relating to the
  restraint of a dog or affect the authority of a political
  subdivision to adopt or enforce an ordinance or requirement
  relating to the restraint of a dog if the regulation, ordinance, or
  requirement:
               (1)  is compatible with and equal to or more stringent
  than a requirement prescribed by this subchapter; or
               (2)  relates to an issue that is not specifically
  addressed by this subchapter.
         SECTION 2.  Subchapter D, Chapter 821, Health and Safety
  Code, is repealed.
         SECTION 3.  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 in effect 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 4.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2017.