(a) It is a defense to prosecution under this division that the person is a veterinarian, a peace officer, a person employed by a recognized animal shelter or person employed by the state or a political subdivision of the state to deal with stray animals and has temporary ownership, custody or control of the dog; provided, however, that for any person to claim a defense under this section, that person must be acting within the course and scope of his or her official duties with regard to the dangerous dog.
(b) It is a defense to prosecution under this division that the person is an employee of the institutional division of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice or of a law enforcement agency and trains or uses dogs for law enforcement or corrections purposes; provided, however, that for any person to claim a defense under this section, that person must be acting within the course and scope of his or her official duties with regard to the dangerous dog.
(c) It is a defense to prosecution under this division that the dog at issue is a trained guard dog in the performance of official duties while confined or under the control of its handler.
(Ord. 23295-06-2018, § 1, passed 6-26-2018, eff. 7-6-2018)