With under a month left in the 89th Texas Legislative Regular Session, bills are being amended and advanced very quickly.
The following are updates on two key bills impacting dog owners:
House Bill 2806/SB 155- Dangerous Dogs
The Texas House Public Health Committee recently substituted House Bill 2806 to address the AKC’s concerns that the bill would have dramatically broadened the definition of a “dangerous dog” and make it a misdemeanor offense if a dog caused “bodily injury.” The substitute version of HB 2806 removed the “bodily injury” language and preserves the existing definition of a dangerous dog in state law.
The Senate Criminal Justice Committee is still considering Senate Bill 155, the companion to HB 2806. This bill was also substituted to remove the problematic definition of a dangerous dog.
The AKC is pleased that both bills were amended to address our primary concern. However, some dog owners remain concerned about provisions that would protect the identity of a witness to a dangerous dog incident. This provision raises questions about the constitutional right of the accused to confront their accuser, as protected by the Sixth Amendment. Concerned dog owners should email their State Representative and members of the Senate Criminal Justice Committee.
HB 3458/Retail Pet Sales Ban
House Bill 3458, which would impose a statewide ban on the retail sale of dogs and cats, is scheduled for a House floor vote on May 13, 2025. The bill was substituted in the House Trade, Workforce, and Economic Development Committee to also prevent dog breeders who operate rescues from offering dogs for adoption at pet stores.
Senate Bill 1652, the Senate companion, remains pending in the Senate Business and Commerce Committee. The AKC anticipates a similar substitute bill will be considered in the Senate Committee.
The AKC strongly opposes HB 3458 and SB 1652. A statewide ban on the retail sale of pets, while claiming to improve animal welfare, would in fact drive the market underground and increase the trafficking of unhealthy pets to unsuspecting consumers.
Additionally, changes in the substitute HB 3458 imply that breeders should not be involved in rescue work. This undermines the dedicated volunteer efforts of breed experts and breeders who are part of AKC clubs and who regularly help dogs in need receive appropriate assessments, care, and rehoming.
Please email your State Representative in opposition to House Bill 3458 before the floor vote scheduled for tomorrow, May 13. You can find your State Representative HERE.
Continue to contact members of the Senate Business and Commerce Committee in opposition to SB 1652. Please refer to the talking points in our previous alert.
Contact the Senate Business and Commerce Committee:
- Chair Charles Schwertner – Charles.Schwertner@senate.texas.gov
- Senator Phil King – phil.king@senate.texas.gov
- Senator César Blanco – cesar.blanco@senate.texas.gov
- Senator Donna Campbell – donna.campbell@senate.texas.gov
- Senator Brandon Creighton – brandon.creighton@senate.texas.gov
- Senator Nathan Johnson – nathan.johnson@senate.texas.gov
- Senator Lois W. Kolkhorst – lois.kolkhorst@senate.texas.gov
- Senator José Menéndez – jose.menendez@senate.texas.gov
- Senator Mayes Middleton – mayes.middleton@senate.texas.gov
- Senator Robert Nichols – robert.nichols@senate.texas.gov
- Senator Judith Zaffirini – judith.zaffirini@senate.texas.gov
For more information or updates on Texas legislation, please contact AKC Government Relations at doglaw@akc.org.