Explore five decades of legislative victories by the Texas Humane Legislation Network (THLN) at the Texas Capitol. From outlawing dogfighting and cockfighting to protecting horses, domestic dogs and cats, and wildlife, THLN has championed stronger animal welfare laws across the state. This comprehensive timeline highlights key laws, policies, and legal milestones that have safeguarded pets and wildlife, promoted responsible ownership, and ensured humane treatment for all animals in Texas.

Learn how advocacy, persistence, and collaboration have transformed animal protection over the past 50 years.

The beginning years of THLN – formerly known as the Texas Humane Information Network

1981 – Texas Rabies Control Act

Amended 1989

Established the legal framework for rabies control and prevention. Texas Health and Safety Code, Chapter 826

1983 – Outlawed Dog Fighting

Prohibited the ownership, participation in, and promotion of dog fighting, establishing criminal penalties for organizing or attending such events. Texas Penal Code § 42.10

1989 – Texas Animal Shelter Act

Amended 2011, 2017, 2021

Established advisory committees and enforcement procedures. Texas Health and Safety Code, Chapter 823

1991 – Dog and Cat Sterilization Act

Required sterilization before adoption from public and private shelters. Texas Health and Safety Code, Chapter 828.002

1991 – Prohibited Dog Breed Specific Legislation

Prevented local governments from enacting laws that target or ban specific dog breeds, ensuring regulations focus on individual animal behavior rather than breed alone. Texas Health and Safety Code, Section 822.047

1991 – Dangerous Dog Law

Amended 1997, 2001

Defined a “dangerous dog” and strengthened enforcement. Texas Health and Safety Code, Section 822.041

1993 – Increased Dog Fighting Penalties

Strengthened criminal penalties for organizing, participating in, or promoting dogfighting, reflecting a tougher stance against animal cruelty. Texas Penal Code § 42.111

1995 – Outlawed Horse Tipping

Made it a criminal offense to intentionally knock over or trip a horse, or to participate in activities that endanger a horse for entertainment or sport. Texas Penal Code § 42.09

1995 – Professionalized Animal Control Officer Training

Established standardized training requirements and professional guidelines for animal control officers to improve enforcement, public safety, and animal welfare. Texas Health and Safety Code, Chapter 829

1997 – Animal Friendly License Plate Program

Created the fund to support spay/neuter efforts. Texas Transportation Code § 504.605

1999 – Attorney General Opinion: Pigeon Shoots as Animal Cruelty

The Texas Attorney General issued an opinion classifying pigeon shoots as acts of animal cruelty, clarifying that such events violate state animal protection laws. Texas Attorney General Opinion No. JC-0048

2000 – Attorney General Opinion: Hog–Dog Fights as Animal Cruelty

The Texas Attorney General issued an opinion declaring hog–dog fights to constitute animal cruelty under state law, reinforcing legal protections against staged animal fights. Texas Attorney General Letter Opinion No. 94-071

2001 – Texas Dangerous Wild Animal Act

Regulated possession of certain dangerous wild animals. Texas Health and Safety Code, Chapter 822, Subchapter E

2005 – Outlawed Canned Hunts for Certain Exotic Animals

Prohibited the hunting of certain exotic animals in confined areas where the animals have little or no chance to escape, targeting “canned hunts” to prevent cruelty and exploitation. Texas Penal Code § 42.01.6301

2005 – Supported Bill Banning Remote-Controlled Hunting

Advocated for legislation prohibiting the use of remotely controlled vehicles, drones, or other devices to hunt animals, ensuring ethical hunting practices, and preventing undue suffering. HB 391

2005 – Texas Equine Activity Limitation of Liability Act

Established legal protections and liability limitations for individuals and organizations involved in equine activities, such as riding or instruction, while promoting safety standards and risk awareness. Texas Civil Practice & Remedies Code, Chapter 87.004

2007 – Lillian’s Law

Held owners criminally liable for serious injuries or deaths caused by their dogs. Texas Health and Safety Code § 822.005

2007 – Outlawed Attendance at Dogfights

Made it a criminal offense to knowingly attend, promote, or profit from dogfighting events, strengthening enforcement against animal cruelty. Texas Penal Code § 42.10

2007 – Simba's Law

Required disaster plans for service animals and household pets. Texas Government Code § 418.043 

2007 – Supported Bill Prohibiting Hunting from Public Roads

Advocated for legislation making it illegal to hunt animals from public roads, enhancing public safety, and promoting responsible hunting practices. HB 2414

2009 – Classified Dogfighting as Organized Crime

Designated dogfighting as an organized criminal activity, allowing for enhanced penalties and law enforcement measures against individuals and groups involved. Texas Penal Code § 42.10

2011 – Responsible Pet Ownership Course for Cruelty Offenders

Required individuals convicted of animal cruelty to complete an educational program on responsible pet ownership, promoting awareness and preventing future abuse. Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, Chapter 42A.511

2011 – Felony Cockfighting Law

Elevated participation in, promotion of, or attendance at cockfighting events to a felony offense, imposing stricter criminal penalties to deter animal cruelty. Texas Penal Code § 42.105

2011 – Included Pets in Protective Orders

Allowed courts to include pets in protective orders issued for victims of domestic violence, safeguarding animals from harm or abuse during legal proceedings. Texas Human Resources Code § 121.002

2011 – Protected Animal Friendly License Plate Funds

Ensured that revenue from specialty animal-friendly license plates is used exclusively for programs supporting animal welfare, including shelters, rescue efforts, and educational initiatives. Texas Health and Safety Code § 828.014

2011 – Texas Dog or Cat Breeder Licensing Act

Regulated large-scale commercial breeders. Texas Occupations Code § 802.001

2011 – Strengthened Civil & Criminal Seizure Laws

Made the removal of cruelly treated animals easier. Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, Art. 59.01

2013 – Outlawed Gas Chambers in Shelters

Prohibited the use of gas chambers for euthanizing animals in shelters, promoting more humane methods of animal care and euthanasia. Texas Administrative Code § 169.84

2013 – Enforced Animal Ordinances and Protected S/N Funds

Strengthened the enforcement of local animal control ordinances and ensured that funds collected for spay/neuter programs are used exclusively for their intended purpose, supporting responsible pet population management. HB 1509

2015 – Mandatory Canine Encounter Training for Peace Officers

Required peace officers to complete standardized training on safely interacting with dogs during law enforcement activities, reducing the risk of injury to both officers and animals. Texas Occupations Code § 1701.261

2015 – Simplified City Enforcement of Animal Ordinances

Streamlined procedures for municipalities to enforce local animal control ordinances, improving compliance and protecting public safety and animal welfare. HB 2562

2021 – Courthouse (Facility) Dogs in Court Proceedings

Authorized the use of trained facility dogs in courtrooms to provide comfort and support to victims, witnesses, and other participants during legal proceedings. Texas Government Code § 21.012

2021 – Safe Outdoor Dogs Act

Established standards for the care, shelter, and containment of dogs kept outdoors, ensuring protection from extreme weather and preventing neglect or abuse. Texas Health and Safety Code, Chapter 821, Subchapter E

2021 – Mandatory Microchip Scanning in Shelters

Required animal shelters to scan all incoming animals for microchips, facilitating the reunification of lost pets with their owners and improving overall animal recovery rates. Texas Health and Safety Code § 823.004

2022 – Supported Passage of the Big Cat Public Safety Act

Advocated for federal legislation restricting private ownership and public exhibition of big cats, enhancing public safety, and protecting exotic animals from exploitation. Public Law 117-243

2023 – Post-Conviction Animal Possession Ban

Prohibited animal ownership for 5 years following certain cruelty convictions. Texas Penal Code § 42.107

2023 – Increased Penalties for Fake Service Dogs

Strengthened legal consequences for misrepresenting pets as service animals, protecting the rights of individuals with disabilities, and ensuring the integrity of service dog programs. Texas Human Resources Code § 121.006

2023 – Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) of Community Cats Not Considered Abandonment

Clarified that trapping, neutering/spaying, and returning (TNR) community cats does not constitute animal abandonment, supporting humane population control and community cat welfare. Texas Penal Code § 42.092

2025 – New “Spay-Neuter-Adopt” License Plate

Authorized the issuance of a new specialty plate reading “Spay. Neuter. Adopt.” designed to support animal‑welfare efforts. Under Texas Transportation Code § 504.605 the proceeds (after administrative costs) are deposited into the animal‑welfare fund established by Texas Health and Safety Code § 828.014 to help fund spay/neuter and adoption programs statewide.

2025 – Allowed Counties to Ban Roadside Animal Sales

This gives more Texas counties the authority to forbid the sale of live animals on roadsides, highways, or in parking‑lots within unincorporated areas. This change enables counties to curb unregulated sales, helping protect public safety and animal welfare. Texas Transportation Code, Chapter 285, § 285.001

Bills THLN Opposed or Killed

• 1997 – Repeal of minimal shelter care standards
• 2007, 2021 – Legalization of horse slaughter (SB 1362)
• 2007 – Breed-specific legislation proposal (SB 348 4)
• 2007 – Removal of cougars, bobcats, and coyotes from Dangerous Wild Animal Act protections (HB 3845)
• 2011 – Overreaching animal shelter operations bill (HB 3450)
• 2013 – Bill declaring dogs vicious without aggressive behavior (2013)
• 2015 – “Hunter gag” bill restricting images of hunting/trapping (HB 2434)
• 2013, 2015, 2017 – Multiple bills to repeal the Dangerous Wild Animal Act (SB 1879) 
• 2015 – Bill criminalizing shelter staff for empty kennels (SB 1930)
• 2017 – Amendment to reduce animal cruelty from felony to misdemeanor (Rep. Tinderholt floor amendment)
• 2017 – Ag-gag bill, passed only after harmful provisions were removed (HB 1480)
• 2021, 2023, 2025 – Repeal attempts of the Texas Dog or Cat Breeder Licensing Act (HB 1817) 
• 2025 –Bill preventing enforcement of cockfighting laws (HB 4644)

Join the Texas Humane Legislation Network

Everyone in Texas who owns or cares for animals and cares about the laws that protect them should join the Texas Humane Legislation Network, a non-profit, grassroots organization that fights for animals in the Texas legislature. Most of the animal protection laws in Texas were passed because of THLN’s efforts. The more members THLN has, the more clout they have in Austin to get animal protection legislation passed.