Most people in Texas understand that if a door is locked, then they need to stay out of that area. The same can be said if a business is closed, and you would think that it would be common sense that zoo and aquarium enclosures would fall into that same category.
But in recent years, there have been people who have wanted to get behind those closed doors and animal enclosures. According to WFAA, if you’re caught doing some of that foolish behavior, you could end up with a felony charge.
New Texas Bills Introduced to Protect Animals
As someone who loves animals, I have no idea why someone would disturb animals that are in an enclosure.
But House Bill 1720 and 2969 would propose that anyone caught knowingly entering an animal’s enclosure without legal authority or consent from the facility would be guilty of a state jail felony.
Penalties Could Increase Even More
The bills will increase the penalties even further if the animal is harassed, injured, or killed during the trespassing. There have been recent zoo break-ins in Texas, specifically in Dallas, and lawmakers want to put an end to them…