Jeff Wentworth

Dog fighting has been illegal in Texas for many years; however, in spite of their illegality, dog fights still take place. 

Recent stories about a professional football player accused of engaging in illegal dog fighting has heightened public awareness of the cruelty involved in this so-called sport. 

Even before the Bad Newz Kennels made the nightly news, Texas legislators were increasing the penalties for promoting or attending a dog fight. 

Currently, anyone convicted of causing, promoting or profiting from dog fighting would be guilty of a Class A misdemeanor. 

This year, we passed House Bill 916, which increases the penalty to a state jail felony, punishable by not less than 180 days and not more than two years in a state jail and/or a $10,000 fine. 

We increased the penalty for training fighting dogs or attending a dog fight event from a Class B to a Class A misdemeanor, which is punishable by up to one year in jail and a maximum fine of $4,000.    

House Bill 1411 targets dog owners who cruelly restrain their dogs and/or do not provide sufficient food and water.  Under the bill’s provisions, owners may not leave a dog outside and unattended by use of a restraint between the hours of 10 p.m. and 6 a.m.

Dogs may not be left restrained within 500 feet of a school or in extreme weather conditions.  Owners may not use pinch-, prong- or choke-type collars.

Current law does not allow animal control officers to intervene until chained dogs are suffering from obvious signs of starvation, dehydration or other signs of abuse and neglect. 

House Bill 1411 requires a peace officer or animal control officer who has probable cause to believe that a dog is being cruelly restrained to provide the owner with a written statement of this fact, which includes the date and time.     

Owners who do not improve the dog’s condition within 24 hours are committing a Class C misdemeanor, punishable by a fine of up to $500, for each dog that is restrained.

If a person has been previously convicted, the offense is increased to a Class B misdemeanor, punishable by a fine of up to $2,000 or by 180 days in jail or both.

We also passed House Bill 2328, which punishes those who commit acts of violence toward animals, such as burning and mutilating live kittens, putting shelter dogs in cages and dropping them into a city’s sewage tank to drown, and leaving dogs chained up with no food and water until they die. 

The bill also applies to improper treatment and neglect of livestock animals. 

Persons convicted of cruelty to either livestock or domestic animals will  be guilty of a Class A misdemeanor.

All of these bills become effective on Sept. 1.  I wish it were not necessary to pass laws to ensure the humane, ethical and responsible behavior of those who are responsible for animals. Unfortunately, it is. 

Texas State Sen. Jeff Wentworth (R-San Antonio) represents District 25, which includes part of Bexar County. He can be reached via e-mail at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .