Bill: SB 474, 87(R) - 2021

Committee

Senate Criminal Justice

Vote Recommendation

Vote Recommendation Economic Freedom Property Rights Personal Responsibility Limited Government Individual Liberty
No Neutral Neutral Neutral Negative Negative

Author(s)

Eddie Lucio Jr.

Co-Author(s)

Carol Alvarado
Juan "Chuy" Hinojosa
John Whitmire

Bill Caption

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

Fiscal Notes

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

Bill Analysis

SB 474 would replace the current section of code regulating the unlawful restraint of a dog. The new language would expand the definition of “properly fitted” to a collar or harness that does not choke the dog and does not cause pain or injury to the dog. It would require an owner to provide the dog adequate shelter, enough space to avoid standing water, shade from direct sunlight, and potable water if they are to leave it outside and unattended. It would also prohibit the use of a chain or weights to restrain a dog while outside and unattended. SB 474 would make a known violation of the section an automatic offense, removing the existing requirement that the owner has 24 hours upon being served notice of their violation to comply with the law.

Vote Recommendation Notes

Texas Action opposes SB 474 because it would violate the principles of limited government and personal responsibility. The changes would remove an important procedural protection for dog owners (24 hours to cure the violation) and excessively criminalize the restraint of a dog. The state should not engage in this level of micromanagement of dog ownership. 


Source URL (retrieved on 03/29/2024 06:03 AM): http://reports.texasaction.com/bill/87r/sb474?print_view=true