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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the classification and care of working dogs. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. DEFINITION. In this Act a "working dog" means: |
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(1) A dog used primarily for the purpose of driving, |
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tending, locating, working, or protecting stock to include domestic |
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and feral stock, swine and exotics; |
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(2) A dog used for police, military, substance |
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detection, protection, search, rescue or recovery purposes; |
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(3) A dog used as a service, assistance or therapy |
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animal; |
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(4) A dog used to locate, retrieve, or capture an |
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animal, or used in the recovery of wounded or dead animals; |
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(5) A dog that is in training for any of the above |
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purposes; |
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(6) The definition does not rely upon where the dog |
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lives, or its breed, but its primary use; |
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SECTION 2. A dog that is defined as a "working dog" is not |
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considered a pet and will be exempt from laws intended to apply to |
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pets. |
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(2) A working dog will not be subject to laws: |
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(a) Requiring mandatory spay or neuter; |
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(b) Restricting or requiring permits for the number of |
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animals an owner may possess, regardless of reproductive status; |
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(c) Restricting how the dog may be housed; |
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(d) Requiring additional insurance due to weight, breed, |
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sex, or reproductive status of the dog; |
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(e) Restricting breeds that may be kept by the owner. |
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SECTION 3. Section 42.09, Penal Code applies to the care of |
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working dogs. |
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SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2011. |