Bill

HB 1156

85(R) - 2017
House Public Health
House Public Health
Animals
County Government
Crimes

Companion Bill

SB 1090

Vote Recommendation

No
  • Neutral
  • Neutral
  • Negative
  • Negative
  • Neutral

Author(s)

Sarah Davis

Co-Author(s)

Rafael Anchia
Angie Chen Button
Giovanni Capriglione
Philip Cortez
Mary Gonzalez
Lance Gooden
Phil King
Linda Koop
Morgan Meyer
Ed Thompson
John Zerwas

Bill Caption

Relating to the unlawful restraint of a dog; creating an offense.

Fiscal Notes

No significant fiscal implication is anticipated. 

Bill Analysis

This bill would create an offense for the unlawful restraint of a dog. This bill provides the necessary conditions under which a dog may be restrained, and which restraints would be considered lawful if this bill were to pass. This bill also provides various exceptions to this rule including the use of the animal for shepherding or herding animals. An offense under this law, would be considered a Class C misdemeanor for each dog that is unlawfully restrained. If the person has been previously convicted under this chapter, the offense would be punishable as a Class B misdemeanor. 

Vote Recommendation Notes

This bill infringes on the principles of limited government and personal responsibility by adding to prohibitions related to dog restraint with requirements that outline the way in which an individual must restrain their dog and creating new criminal offenses. Micromanaging the way dogs are restrained by their owners, and creating a new criminal offense for restraining a dog in a manner other than stipulated by this bill, is not the proper role of state government. For these reasons we oppose HB 1156.

Organizations Supporting

Texas Municipal League
Texas Veterinary Medical Association
The Humane Society of the United States