{"data":{"id":"us-tx/tex.-penal-code-38.151","jurisdiction":"us-tx","citation":"Tex. Penal Code § 38.151","heading":"INTERFERENCE WITH POLICE SERVICE ANIMALS.","body":"(a) In this section:\n(1) \"Area of control\" includes a vehicle, trailer, kennel, pen, or yard.\n(2) \"Handler or rider\" means a peace officer, corrections officer, or jailer who is specially trained to use a police service animal for law enforcement, corrections, prison or jail security, or investigative purposes.\n(3) \"Police service animal\" means a dog, horse, or other domesticated animal that is specially trained for use by a handler or rider.\n(b) A person commits an offense if the person recklessly:\n(1) taunts, torments, or strikes a police service animal;\n(2) throws an object or substance at a police service animal;\n(3) interferes with or obstructs a police service animal or interferes with or obstructs the handler or rider of a police service animal in a manner that:\n(A) inhibits or restricts the handler's or rider's control of the animal; or\n(B) deprives the handler or rider of control of the animal;\n(4) releases a police service animal from its area of control;\n(5) enters the area of control of a police service animal without the effective consent of the handler or rider, including placing food or any other object or substance into that area;\n(6) injures or kills a police service animal; or\n(7) engages in conduct likely to injure or kill a police service animal, including administering or setting a poison, trap, or any other object or substance.\n(c) An offense under this section is:\n(1) a Class C misdemeanor if the person commits an offense under Subsection (b)(1);\n(2) a Class B misdemeanor if the person commits an offense under Subsection (b)(2);\n(3) a Class A misdemeanor if the person commits an offense under Subsection (b)(3), (4), or (5);\n(4) except as provided by Subdivision (5), a state jail felony if the person commits an offense under Subsection (b)(6) or (7) by injuring a police service animal or by engaging in conduct likely to injure the animal; or\n(5) a felony of the second degree if the person commits an offense under Subsection (b)(6) or (7) by:\n(A) killing a police service animal or engaging in conduct likely to kill the animal;\n(B) injuring a police service animal in a manner that materially and permanently affects the ability of the animal to perform as a police service animal; or\n(C) engaging in conduct likely to injure a police service animal in a manner that would materially and permanently affect the ability of the animal to perform as a police service animal.\nAdded by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 979, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 2001.\nAmended by:\nActs 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1331 (S.B. 1562), Sec. 5, eff. September 1, 2007.","path":["PENAL CODE","TITLE 8. OFFENSES AGAINST PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION","CHAPTER 38. OBSTRUCTING GOVERNMENTAL OPERATION"],"source_url":"https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/PE/htm/PE.38.htm#38.151","current_through":"89th 2nd Called Legislative Session, 2025","vintage":"","retrieved_at":"2026-08-27T01:47:34Z","sha256":"3f03de8673032d949e7c6abf51cfc891196d815fc76ba365418c2fc32c431263","source_id":"us-tx","stale":false,"prev":"us-tx/tex.-penal-code-38.15","next":"us-tx/tex.-penal-code-38.152"},"notice":"GroundRules: Original legal text. Not legal advice."}