CRUELTY TO LIVESTOCK ANIM NEGLECT/OVERWORK

Cruelty to livestock animals, Texas Penal Code § 42.09, governs animals the statute defines as livestock — cattle, sheep, swine, goats, ratites (such as emus and ostriches), poultry commonly raised for human consumption, horses, ponies, mules, donkeys, and other hoofstock or fowl raised under agricultural practices. This charge reflects the Class A misdemeanor grouping in § 42.09(c), labeled on court records as neglect or overwork. The State must prove the person intentionally or knowingly did one of the following: failed unreasonably to provide necessary food, water, or care for a livestock animal in the person's custody; abandoned unreasonably a livestock animal in the person's custody; transported or confined a livestock animal in a cruel and unusual manner; or seriously overworked a livestock animal. These forms are distinguished from the statute's felony variants, such as torturing a livestock animal or administering poison.

Ranges are the statutory maximums for the level; enhancements, prior convictions and plea agreements change what is actually imposed.

Across 760 Texas bail settings for this charge (5 counties, Apr 2022 – Jun 2025), the median cash or surety bond was $3,500 (middle half: $2,000 – $7,500). 24% of defendants were released on a personal bond, and bail was denied in 10 cases. When this was the only charge at booking (251 records), the median was $3,000 and 23% got a personal bond.

Showing the 5 counties with the most records; use the selector for any county with at least 30. Per-charge bond settings on original magistrations, from Texas OCA bail reporting under SB 6. Bail is set case by case — these are statistics, not a prediction.