The Texas heat can make leaving your dog in the car dangerous.
A Man’s Dog Was Fatally Shot on the Northwest Side
According to a San Antonio Express-News report, Lloyd Chambers, 83, is seeking justice after his dog was fatally shot on Sunday, June 18, 2023.
Lloyd Chambers was taking his dog on its usual morning walk in Culebra Creek Park on the day of the fatal shooting. Hazel, the 7-year-old Malinois, was full of energy and used to running around the soccer fields in the park. On this particular day, however, when Hazel disappeared around a bend, Mr. Chambers heard shots ring out, and Hazel came back with blood dripping from her mouth and red stains on her side. Police assisted in taking Hazel to an animal hospital, where she was put down for her injuries. Police are still searching for the shooter, and the case is being investigated as animal cruelty.
Did You Know?
Animal cruelty was made a felony in Texas when “Loco’s Law” went into effect on September 1, 2001.
Animal Cruelty Laws in Texas
Animal cruelty laws vary from state to state. Here’s what you need to know about federal and Texas animal cruelty laws.
Federal Law
President Trump recently signed the PACT Act in 2019, which established federal guidelines concerning animal cruelty. The PACT Act made it federally illegal to torture animals in any way, including impaling, drowning, or burning any non-human mammal, reptile, amphibian, or bird. Previously, it was only illegal to post videos of such actions on the internet. This bill allows the crime of animal cruelty to be prosecuted across state lines, though all relevant state legislation would still be in effect.
Texas Law
Texas Penal Code sections 42.09 and 42.092 define animal cruelty as “a person recklessly, intentionally, or knowingly cruelly treating an animal.” There are many actions that constitute cruel treatment, such as:
- Abandonment
- Failure to provide food, water, and shelter
- Injuring another person’s animal
- Unlawful restraint
Animal cruelty can be prosecuted as a civil or criminal case, depending on the nature and severity of the circumstance. In a civil case, if a judge determines a person was cruel to an animal, they may order that the animal be taken away from them and that they pay restitution for their actions, usually up to $4,000. Civil cases can also include jail time of up to a year, but this is incredibly rare. A criminal case, which never includes wild animals, can result in fines of no more than $10,000 and jail time of up to 10 years. Those under the age of 18 must also undergo counseling.
Follow this link to find out how you can report instances of animal cruelty in San Antonio, Texas.
Why It Matters
Aside from being morally wrong, abused animals tend to be more aggressive and scared, which can lead to serious injuries from dog attacks. Loose animals injure hundreds of people in parks, while delivering mail, and those experiencing homelessness in San Antonio and across Texas. If a dog attack in San Antonio has injured you or your animal, it’s a good idea to speak to an experienced dog attack attorney to find out what legal recourse is available to you.
Dog Attack Attorneys in San Antonio
If you or your animal was bitten in a dog attack in San Antonio or the surrounding area, contact the team of dog attack attorneys with thirty years of experience at the Carabin Shaw law firm today for your free case evaluation at 800-862-1260. We look forward to serving you.