SB 554

[BOBDOG]

This one that passed is disturbing me a bit. How do they define the following?
1)harness
2)cage for a dog? Dogbox in the back of your truck?
3)Dog house for keeping a fighting dog? Mabe this is just my ignorance of the true world of fighting dogs, but how does a dog house for a fighting dog different then a house for any other dog?
4) feeding apparatus?
5)Training pen I guess this would be a pit? or is the wording more vague? Would a training pen for starting hogdog puppies fit the definition?

I am assuming Bay trials are still legal since the TDHA is holding one?

[Circle C]

Here is what I was able to find.  SB554 refers to "Dog Fighting Equipment" having the meaning assigned by Article 18.18 (g), Code of Criminal Procedure. I am not sure how this will be enforced as their is a broad scope of things that are used by ALL pet owners, as well as dog fighters. Hence the nickname of the bill being the "Doggie Bowl Bill"

This is the applicable text from Article 18.18 (g)

(4)  "dog-fighting equipment" means:                                           
   (A)  equipment used for training or handling a fighting dog,
including a harness, treadmill, cage, decoy, pen, house for keeping
a fighting dog, feeding apparatus, or training pen;
   (B)  equipment used for transporting a fighting dog,
including any automobile, or other vehicle, and its appurtenances
which are intended to be used as a vehicle for transporting a
fighting dog;
   (C)  equipment used to promote or advertise an exhibition of
dog fighting, including a printing press or similar equipment,
paper, ink, or photography equipment;  or
   (D)  a dog trained, being trained, or intended to be used to
fight with another dog;

Here is a copy of SB554 as it was enrolled.