Pitbull attacked a horse with a rider. Rider not injured but horse was. Anyone have input on the best way to charge this offense?

Look in Health and Safety Code section 822 for options but I only see one and that is 822.012 which is a class C. Even if it can be argued that the dog was attacking the person too, it has to at least cause bodily injury to fall under the attack by dog statutes.

You might want to see about getting the dog registered with animal control as a dangerous dog which will give you more charging options if it attacks someone or something again in the future.

I think the horseowner is stuck with a civil suit and you are stuck with this:

quote:

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Health and Safety Code Sec. 822.012.
CERTAIN DOGS AND COYOTES PROHIBITED FROM RUNNING AT LARGE; CRIMINAL PENALTY. (a) The owner, keeper, or person in control of a dog or coyote that the owner, keeper, or person knows is accustomed to run, worry, or kill livestock, domestic animals, or fowls may not permit the dog or coyote to run at large.

(b) A person who violates this section commits an offense. An offense under this subsection is punishable by a fine of not more than $100.

(c) Each time a dog or coyote runs at large in violation of this section constitutes a separate offense.

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