Sec. 61.060. DEFENSE TO PROSECUTION: HUMANE DISPATCH OF CERTAIN GAME ANIMALS AND BIRDS. (a) In this section:
(1) "Dispatch" means to kill by any humane method.
(2) "Game animal" has the meaning assigned by Section 63.001.
(3) "Game bird" has the meaning assigned by Section 64.001.
(b) It is a defense to prosecution for a violation of this chapter or of a regulation adopted or proclamation issued under the authority of this chapter by the commission that the actor dispatched a game animal or game bird that:
(1) was mortally wounded, not through the actor's conduct; or
(2) behaved in a manner that:
(A) is inconsistent with the manner in which a game animal or game bird that is not diseased typically behaves; and
(B) leads a reasonable person to believe that the game animal or game bird poses a substantial risk of serious harm to itself, a person, or other wildlife.
(c) The commission may adopt rules, including rules concerning the disposition of a game animal or a game bird that has been dispatched under this section, to implement this section.
Added by Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch. 157 (H.B. 2555), Sec. 1, eff. May 24, 2005.
Last modified: September 28, 2016