Texas has updated its animal cruelty laws to prohibit people convicted of animal cruelty from possessing or living with any kind of animal for 5 years.
The law aims to prevent defenseless animals from falling into the hands of known abusers and facing further harm.
Under the new legislation, offenders caught with animals within 5 years of conviction face a Class C misdemeanor and potential fines up to $2,000 and jail time.
The ban applies not only to owning animals but also living in a household with companion animals, even without legal custody.
This measure follows years of activism by animal lovers concerned about the high rate of animal cruelty cases in Texas.
Animal cruelty is often an indicator of other forms of violence, especially domestic abuse, making this law crucial for community safety.
The law also targets individuals involved in illegal dogfighting rings, a particularly heinous form of animal cruelty.
By keeping animals away from convicted abusers, Texas aims to prevent future instances of animal suffering and break the cycle of violence.