Abandoning a dog in Texas is a crime: What are the penalties?

Recently, KPRC 2 has been covering a pack of stray dogs which has caused fear in a Liberty County community.

The group of dogs is responsible for multiple attacks and even became aggressive towards our own crews who went out to cover the story.

• Judge vows action as more reports of dog attacks pour in out of Liberty County

While the problem of stray dogs is a big one across the Houston-area, it is quite possible that many of these dogs were dumped and abandoned by their owners.

Abandoning a dog or any animal for that matter is a crime in Texas and can carry stiff legal ramifications.

What is the law?

Abandoning an animal is covered under the Texas animal cruelty law. Abandon is defined in the Texas Penal Code as abandoning an animal in the person’s custody without making reasonable arrangements for assumption of custody by another person.

• ‘I may have been dead’: Stray dogs blamed for multiple attacks in Cleveland community where neighbors feel helpless

Animal includes domesticated living creature, including any stray or feral cat or dog, and a wild living creature previously captured. The term does not include an uncaptured wild living creature or a livestock animal.

A person commits an offense if they intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly abandon of an animal in their custody.

What are the penalties?

Abandoning an animal is covered under the charge of cruelty to non-livestock animals. It is considered a Class A misdemeanor punishable by a fine of up to $4,000 and up to a year in jail.

• Animal behaviorist shares how you can protect yourself from attacking dogs

The charge could become a state jail felony if the person is facing their third conviction for the offense. Under Texas law, a state jail felony may include jail time ranging from 180 days to 2 years and a fine up to $10,000.