Sec. 822.111.  POWERS AND DUTIES OF EXECUTIVE COMMISSIONER; CAGING REQUIREMENTS AND STANDARDS.  (a)  The executive commissioner 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 executive commissioner.
(c)  An animal registration agency may approve a deviation from the caging requirements and standards established by the executive commissioner, 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 executive commissioner; 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.
Amended by: 
Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1 (S.B. 219), Sec. 3.1602, eff. April 2, 2015.