The Texas Legislature is moving to tighten the state's animal cruelty laws by restrcing 'inhumane and dangerous tethering of animals,' News Radio 1200 WOAI reports.
The bill, which has been overwhelmingly passed by the State Senate and has been recommended for approval by the House, would make it a crime for a dog owner to tether an animal on a chain which is too short, too heavy, constricts the dog's throat, or doesn't give the animal access to food, water, and shade.
“Dogs tethered by heavy chains often suffer injuries because of the weight of the chains and embedded collars,” said Laura Donahue, who heads the Texas Human Legislation Network. “Dogs also often become entangled in their chains, leaving them cut off from any available food, water or shelter.
The bill would allow cruelty investigators to issue citations, rather than warnings, in cases of animals that are hungry, dehydrated, and suffering under the weight of heavy chains.
“Dogs tethered by heavy chains often suffer injuries because of the weight of the chains and embedded collars,” said Donahue. “Dogs also often become entangled in their chains, leaving them cut off from any available food, water or shelter."
The current tethering law includes loopholes which make it virtually impossible for a pet owner to be issued a criminal citation.