Bill Text: TX SB1500 | 2011-2012 | 82nd Legislature | Introduced


Bill Title: Relating to liability for the death of a pet.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2011-03-23 - Referred to State Affairs [SB1500 Detail]

Download: Texas-2011-SB1500-Introduced.html
  82R10654 JRH-D
 
  By: Watson S.B. No. 1500
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to liability for the death of a pet.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Title 4, Civil Practice and Remedies Code, is
  amended by adding Chapter 87A to read as follows:
  CHAPTER 87A. LIABILITY FOR DEATH OF PET
         Sec. 87A.001.  DEFINITIONS. In this chapter:
               (1)  "Governmental unit" has the meaning assigned by
  Section 42.001.
               (2)  "Pet" means a domesticated animal, including a cat
  or dog, that is owned by an individual and kept in or near the
  household of the individual for the primary purpose of
  companionship.
         Sec. 87A.002.  LIABILITY. (a)  A person is liable as
  provided by Subsection (b) if:
               (1)  the person engages in conduct that intentionally
  causes the death of a pet;
               (2)  a reasonable person would not consider the pet to
  be likely to:
                     (A)  cause bodily injury to any person;
                     (B)  attack livestock, domestic animals, or
  fowls; or
                     (C)  damage real or personal property;
               (3)  the pet was not:
                     (A)  causing bodily injury to any person;
                     (B)  attacking livestock, domestic animals, or
  fowls; or
                     (C)  damaging real or personal property; and
               (4)  the pet had not recently:
                     (A)  caused bodily injury to any person;
                     (B)  attacked livestock, domestic animals, or
  fowls; or
                     (C)  damaged real or personal property.
         (b)  A person who is liable under Subsection (a) is liable to
  the pet's owner for damages and any other appropriate relief for the
  loss of companionship or society of the pet.
         Sec. 87A.003.  DAMAGES. (a)  In an action for the death of a
  pet under this chapter, damages, including noneconomic and
  exemplary damages, shall be at least $500 but not more than $5,000
  for each pet.
         (b)  Noneconomic damages awarded under this chapter are
  solely for the loss of reasonably expected companionship or society
  of the pet. This section may not be construed to limit the amount of
  damages recoverable in any other cause of action.
         Sec. 87A.004.  APPLICABILITY. (a)  This chapter does not
  apply to the official act or omission of a nonprofit entity or a
  governmental unit or to an employee or officer of a nonprofit entity
  or governmental unit.
         (b)  This chapter may not be construed to provide for the
  recovery of noneconomic damages from a licensed veterinarian in an
  action for veterinary malpractice or negligence.
         SECTION 2.  Chapter 87A, Civil Practice and Remedies Code,
  as added by this Act, applies only to conduct that occurs on or
  after the effective date of this Act. Conduct that occurs before
  the effective date of this Act is governed by the law in effect
  immediately before that date, and that law is continued in effect
  for that purpose.
         SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2011.
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