Dog Fighting - Texas Gang Investigators Association

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Dog Fighting

Penal Code

P.C. 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 pros
ecution 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.

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