Texas law on any date › Health and Safety Code
Health and Safety Code §821.022
In force on Mar 17, 2006 · this text took effect Sep 01, 2003 · same as today's text
SEIZURE OF CRUELLY TREATED ANIMAL
(a) If a peace officer or an officer who has responsibility for animal control in a county or municipality has reason to believe that an animal has been or is being cruelly treated, the officer may apply to a justice court or magistrate in the county or to a municipal court in the municipality in which the animal is located for a warrant to seize the animal.
(b) On a showing of probable cause to believe that the animal has been or is being cruelly treated, the court or magistrate shall issue the warrant and set a time within 10 calendar days of the date of issuance for a hearing in the appropriate justice court or municipal court to determine whether the animal has been cruelly treated.
(c) The officer executing the warrant shall cause the animal to be impounded and shall give written notice to the owner of the animal of the time and place of the hearing.
History: Acts 1989, 71st Leg., ch. 678, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1989. Amended by Acts 1991, 72nd Leg., ch. 387, Sec. 1, eff. June 7, 1991; Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 1043, Sec. 2, eff. Sept. 1, 2003.
Source: the Legislature's file server, seen Nov 08, 2026.
Every version on file
- Effective Sep 01, 2003 · seen Nov 2026–Nov 2026
Attorney General opinions that cite it
- GA-0466 (Mar 17, 2006): Whether a constable may provide animal control without the approval of the commissioners court of his county
A research copy. The official text is the Legislature's (statutes), the Secretary of State's (Texas Administrative Code) or eCFR's (federal rules). Not legal advice.