Current with legislation from the 2023 Regular and Special Sessions signed by the Governor as of November 21, 2023.
Section 42.10 - Dog Fighting(a) A person commits an offense if the person 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.Amended By Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch. 1357, Sec. 1, eff. 9/1/2009.Amended By Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. 644, Sec. 1, eff. 9/1/2007.Added by Acts 1983, 68th Leg., p. 1610, ch. 305, Sec. 1, eff. 9/1/1983. Renumbered from Penal Code Sec. 42.111 and amended by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 900, Sec. 1.01, eff. 9/1/1994.