Powers and Duties of Executive Commissioner; Caging Requirements and Standards

Sec. 822.111. POWERS AND DUTIES OF EXECUTIVE COMMISSIONER; CAGING REQUIREMENTS AND STANDARDS. (a) The executive commissioner by rule shall establish caging requirements and standards for the keeping and confinement of a dangerous wild animal to ensure that the animal is kept in a manner and confined in a primary enclosure that: (1) protects and enhances the public's health and safety; (2) prevents escape by the animal; and (3) provides a safe, healthy, and humane environment for the animal. (b) An owner of a dangerous wild animal shall keep and confine the animal in accordance with the caging requirements and standards established by the executive commissioner. (c) An animal registration agency may approve a deviation from the caging requirements and standards established by the executive commissioner, only if: (1) the animal registration agency has good cause for the deviation; and (2) the deviation: (A) does not compromise the public's health and safety; (B) does not reduce the total area of the primary enclosure below that established by the executive commissioner; and (C) does not otherwise adversely affect the overall welfare of the animal involved. Added by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 54, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 2001. Amended by: Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1 (S.B. 219), Sec. 3.1602, eff. April 2, 2015.