Dog Fighting

From the Law Office of Alison Grinter in Dallas, Texas

1 Degree
2 Statute(s)
3 Caselaw
4 Collateral Consequences
5 Notes

Degree

Attending a dog fight, or training a dog with the intention that it fight is a Class A Misdemeanor. Causing a dog to fight, participating in the earnings or operations of a dog fight, or using property for dogfighting is a State Jail Felony.

Statute(s)

Sec. 42.10. DOG FIGHTING.

(a) A person commits an offense if he intentionally or knowingly:
     (1) causes a dog to fight with another dog;
     (2) participates in the earnings of or operates a facility used for dog fighting;
     (3) uses or permits another to use any real estate, building, room, tent, arena, or other property for dog fighting;

     (4) owns or possesses dog-fighting equipment with the intent that the equipment be used to train a dog for dog fighting or in furtherance of dog fighting;
     ((5) owns or trains a dog with the intent that the dog be used in an exhibition of dog fighting; or
     (6) attends as a spectator an exhibition of dog fighting.
(b) In this section:
(1) "Dog fighting" means any situation in which one dog attacks or fights with another dog.
(2) "Dog-fighting equipment" has the meaning assigned by Article 18.18(g), Code of Criminal Procedure.
((c) A conviction under Subsection (a)(2) or (3) may be had upon the uncorroborated testimony of a party to the offense.
(d) It is a defense to prosecution under Subsection (a)(1) that the actor caused a dog to fight with another dog to protect livestock, other property, or a person from the other dog, and for no other purpose.
(e) An offense under Subsection (a)(4), (5), or (6) is a Class A misdemeanor. An offense under Subsection (a)(1), (2), or (3) is a state jail felony.

Renumbered from Penal Code Sec. 42.111 and amended by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 900, Sec. 1.01, eff. Sept. 1, 1994.
Amended by:
Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. 644, Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2007.
Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch. 1357, Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2009.