Texas Codes

Tex. Penal Code § 42.10 (2026)

Dog Fighting

✓ current as of May 2026

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Sec. 42.10. DOG FIGHTING. (a) A person commits an offense if the person intentionally or knowingly:

(1) causes a dog to fight with another dog;

(2) participates in the earnings of or operates a facility used for dog fighting;

(3) uses or permits another to use any real estate, building, room, tent, arena, or other property for dog fighting;

(4) owns or possesses dog-fighting equipment with the intent that the equipment be used to train a dog for dog fighting or in furtherance of dog fighting;

(5) owns or trains a dog with the intent that the dog be used in an exhibition of dog fighting; or

(6) attends as a spectator an exhibition of dog fighting.

(b) In this section:

(1) "Dog fighting" means any situation in which one dog attacks or fights with another dog.

(2) "Dog-fighting equipment" has the meaning assigned by Article 18.18(g), Code of Criminal Procedure.

(d) It is a defense to prosecution under Subsection (a)(1) that the actor caused a dog to fight with another dog to protect livestock, other property, or a person from the other dog, and for no other purpose.

(e) An offense under Subsection (a)(4), (5), or (6) is a Class A misdemeanor. An offense under Subsection (a)(1), (2), or (3) is a state jail felony.

Added by Acts 1983, 68th Leg., p. 1610, ch. 305, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1983. Renumbered from Penal Code Sec. 42.111 and amended by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 900, Sec. 1.01, eff. Sept. 1, 1994.

Amended by:

Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. 644 (H.B. 916), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2007.

Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch. 1357 (S.B. 554), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2009.

Notes of Decisions

Cited in 5 cases, 1994–2018 · leading case: State Ex Rel. Healey v. McMeans, 884 S.W.2d 772 (Tex. Crim. App. 1994).

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State Ex Rel. Healey v. McMeans, 884 S.W.2d 772 (Tex. Crim. App. 1994). · cites it 2× “See Tex.Penal Code § 42.10. On June 17, 1993, relator subpoenaed four local television newsmen, commanding them to give testimony and produce any videotapes they had concerning the alleged offense.”

City of Laredo, Texas v. Laredo Merchants Ass'n, 550 S.W.3d 586 (Tex. 2018). “" Tex. Penal Code § 42.10(a)(1), (6). The latter is a Class A misdemeanor, the former a state jail felony.”

Lee v. State, 866 S.W.2d 298 (Tex. App. 1994). “conceals a human corpse knowing it to be illegally disinterred — ” Tex.Penal Code Ann. § 42.10(a)(2) (Vernon 1989).”

Brian Martin v. State (Tex. App. 2015). “See TEX. PENAL CODE ANN. § 42.10(a)(1), (3); Young v.”

Mark Anthony Mitchell v. State of Texas (Tex. App. 2010). “” TEX. PENAL CODE ANN. § 42.10(a)(1) (Vernon Supp.”

— Tex. Penal Code § 42.10(a)(1) — 3 cases

City of Laredo, Texas v. Laredo Merchants Ass'n, 550 S.W.3d 586 (Tex. 2018). “" Tex. Penal Code § 42.10(a)(1), (6). The latter is a Class A misdemeanor, the former a state jail felony.”

Brian Martin v. State (Tex. App. 2015). “See TEX. PENAL CODE ANN. § 42.10(a)(1), (3); Young v.”

Mark Anthony Mitchell v. State of Texas (Tex. App. 2010). “” TEX. PENAL CODE ANN. § 42.10(a)(1) (Vernon Supp.”

— Tex. Penal Code § 42.10(a)(2) — 1 case

Lee v. State, 866 S.W.2d 298 (Tex. App. 1994). “conceals a human corpse knowing it to be illegally disinterred — ” Tex.Penal Code Ann. § 42.10(a)(2) (Vernon 1989).”

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