SB 554 [Whitmire (D-Houston)]  Companion Bill HB 1147 [Frost (D-Bowie, Cass, Marion, Morris)] The "Doggie Bowl" Bill which has criminalized possession of alleged dog fighting equipment; including a harness, treadmill, cage for a dog, pen, dog house for keeping a fighting dog, feeding apparatus, or training pen. 

The bill can be read in its entirety here:

http://www.legis.state.tx.us/BillLookup/Text.aspx?LegSess=81R&Bill=SB554

The passage of this bill criminalized the possession of “alleged” dog fighting equipment, which includes items such as a harness, treadmill, feeding apparatus, training pen, cage, pen, and a dog house for keeping a fighting dog.

While I completely understand their "intent," the language of this bill is full of loopholes to be left up to an individuals interpretation.  Making it a crime to own a harness and/or treadmill while being a dog owner is absolutely absurd.  What is the difference in a "cage" for a fighting dog and a crate for another dog?  Are they made differently?  What is the difference between a regular pen or a training pen? What is the difference in a "dog house" for a fighting dog and a dog house for another dog?  Are they different than typical dog houses?  What is the difference between a "fighting" dog feeding apparatus from any other feeding apparatus?  Do you feed fighting dogs out of different types of bowls?

Those dog owners with small dogs such as Chihuahuas, Pekinese and all of the other little “lap dogs” are probably not going to have to worry about these restrictions.  Dog owners with working breeds, bully breeds, etc. should be extremely concerned about the passage of this bill.  

I know several people that own treadmills for exercising their dog.  What I find extremely troublesome is the “circumstantial” portion of the bill.  IF equipment exists within the home, vehicle or facility, based on the breed characteristics of the dog within the home, vehicle or facility, the proof of dog fighting is merely left at the discretion of the individual to prove your “intent.”

With all of this being said, if you are stopped on the road with your dogs by law enforcement, PLEASE keep in mind the following:

All DPS units, and most of the police/task force units are equipped with audio/video recording equipment.  When the officer turns their lights on, everything is recorded. 

Everything you say is recorded.  Keep your language and temper under control and maintain a level of respect.

If a search is requested, you do not have to consent.  The officer may state due to the presence of “dog fighting equipment” being in plain sight is just cause, simply state the crate, harness and feeding apparatus are for travel.  You can also comment your breed of dog(s) in the crate(s) is not exactly “typical” among dog fighting breeds.

If the officer pursues a search, try to reason with the officer stating concern for the dog’s safety. 

If a search is conducted, request the officer’s card in order to request a copy of the video tape to be retained.  Contact the law enforcement office the following business day and request the videotape of the search be retained and follow up with a written request.