Download and print this flyer to post in your neighborhood and help us put a stop to dog fighting.

Let’s take this opportunity to come together and stamp out animal cruelty and abuse of all types. For more information or to help the SPCA of Texas in its mission to provide every animal exceptional care and a loving home, please visit www.spca.org or contact us at 214.742.SPCA (7722).

New laws to protect animals go in effect September 1

It was a great year for animals in the Texas legislature

Passed Legislation

Animal Cruelty: The House “concurred” with the Senate version of the animal cruelty bill (HB 2328, sponsored by State Rep. Beverly Woolley and State Sen. John Whitmire). Effective this September 1st, for the first time in Texas history, it will be a crime to:

• commit acts of cruelty to stray and feral dogs and cats
• “recklessly” commit cruelty to an animal (prosecutors will no longer have to prove that a person intended to commit cruelty)
• kill or cause serious bodily injury to animals “in a cruel manner”—which is defined as “a manner that causes or permits unnecessary or unjustifiable pain or suffering” (it will no longer be necessary to prove “torture”)
• fail to provide water to an animal in a person’s custody

A prosecutor must still prove “torture” in cases involving cruelty to “livestock animals” (horses, cattle, sheep, pigs, goats, etc.). However, “torture” is defined as “any act that causes unnecessary or unjustifiable pain or suffering.” This is the identical protection that was given to non-livestock animals! So, for the most part, the livestock vs. non-livestock protections are a distinction without a difference. This is a huge victory for horses. And, yes, horse tripping is still a crime.

Anti-Tethering: HB 1411, sponsored by State Rep. Buddy West, prohibits an owner from tethering a dog outside between the hours of 10 pm and 6 am and during extreme weather conditions. This bill is on its way to the governor’s desk.

Dog Fighting: HB 916, sponsored by State Rep. Jose Menendez and State Sen. Leticia Van de Putte, increases the penalty for dog fighting from a Class A misdemeanor to a state jail felony and increases the punishment for attending a dog fighting exhibition from a Class C misdemeanor to a Class A misdemeanor.

Training and Certification of Animal Control Officers: SB 1562, sponsored by State Sen. "Chuy" Hinojosa and State Rep. Phil King, provides for training and certification of animal control officers. This bill also increased the penalty for killing or seriously injuring a police service animal from a third degree felony to a second degree felony. This bill is on its way to the governor’s desk.

Natural Disasters and Pets: HB 88, sponsored by State Rep. Dan Branch, requires that companion animals and service animals be included in evacuation plans in the event of natural disasters.