Sec. 822.111. POWERS AND DUTIES OF BOARD; CAGING REQUIREMENTS AND STANDARDS

(a) The board by rule shall establish caging requirements and standards for the keeping and confinement of a dangerous wild animal to ensure that the animal is kept in a manner and confined in a primary enclosure that:

(1) protects and enhances the public's health and safety;

(2) prevents escape by the animal; and

(3) provides a safe, healthy, and humane environment for the animal.

(b) An owner of a dangerous wild animal shall keep and confine the animal in accordance with the caging requirements and standards established by the board.

(c) An animal registration agency may approve a deviation from the caging requirements and standards established by the board, only if:

(1) the animal registration agency has good cause for the deviation; and

(2) the deviation:

(A) does not compromise the public's health and safety;

(B) does not reduce the total area of the primary enclosure below that established by the board; and

(C) does not otherwise adversely affect the overall welfare of the animal involved.

Added by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 54, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 2001.