Tex.
Penal Code Section 38.151
Interference with Police Service Animals
(a)
In this section:(1)
“Area of control” includes a vehicle, trailer, kennel, pen, or yard.(2)
“Handler or rider” means a peace officer, corrections officer, or jailer who is specially trained to use a police service animal for law enforcement, corrections, prison or jail security, or investigative purposes.(3)
“Police service animal” means a dog, horse, or other domesticated animal that is specially trained for use by a handler or rider.(b)
A person commits an offense if the person recklessly:(1)
taunts, torments, or strikes a police service animal;(2)
throws an object or substance at a police service animal;(3)
interferes with or obstructs a police service animal or interferes with or obstructs the handler or rider of a police service animal in a manner that:(A)
inhibits or restricts the handler’s or rider’s control of the animal; or(B)
deprives the handler or rider of control of the animal;(4)
releases a police service animal from its area of control;(5)
enters the area of control of a police service animal without the effective consent of the handler or rider, including placing food or any other object or substance into that area;(6)
injures or kills a police service animal; or(7)
engages in conduct likely to injure or kill a police service animal, including administering or setting a poison, trap, or any other object or substance.(c)
An offense under this section is:(1)
a Class C misdemeanor if the person commits an offense under Subsection (b)(1);(2)
a Class B misdemeanor if the person commits an offense under Subsection (b)(2);(3)
a Class A misdemeanor if the person commits an offense under Subsection (b)(3), (4), or (5);(4)
except as provided by Subdivision (5), a state jail felony if the person commits an offense under Subsection (b)(6) or (7) by injuring a police service animal or by engaging in conduct likely to injure the animal; or(5)
a felony of the second degree if the person commits an offense under Subsection (b)(6) or (7) by:(A)
killing a police service animal or engaging in conduct likely to kill the animal;(B)
injuring a police service animal in a manner that materially and permanently affects the ability of the animal to perform as a police service animal; or(C)
engaging in conduct likely to injure a police service animal in a manner that would materially and permanently affect the ability of the animal to perform as a police service animal.
Source:
Section 38.151 — Interference with Police Service Animals, https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/PE/htm/PE.38.htm#38.151 (accessed Jun. 5, 2024).
