Dog daycare, boarding deaths prompt push to protect pets from negligence under Texas law
Pancho died in 2021 while under the care of a dog daycare business in Dallas. His family, Paul and Maria Mecca, have spent the last four years advocating for a change to Texas law that they believe will save other animals.
'My husband and I quickly learned there is a loophole in Texas law that allows pet service businesses to act with impunity by simply claiming negligence,' Maria told a Senate committee earlier this month. 'All they have to do is say 'I didn't mean to kill your dog.' No matter how egregious their actions may have been.'
House Bill 285 adds 'criminal negligence' to the Texas Penal Code as conduct that constitutes a criminal offense of cruelty to non-livestock animals.
The bill's author, Rep. Claudia Ordaz, D-El Paso, told her colleagues the goal is to provide families with a legal path to justice if their animal suffered harm because someone failed to use reasonable care.
'Under current law, families have limited recourse when their dogs or cats are injured due to such negligence. This bill seeks to ensure accountability and prevent those who act irresponsibly from endangering other pets in the future.'
For several years, KXAN investigators have fielded tips about dogs who passed away while in the care of boarding, grooming and training facilities. In many cases, no lawsuits are filed and few law enforcement records of the deaths exist, beyond initial reports.
When Brian Roby and Jordyn Hawkes lost their dog, Kali, last August, they said they quickly realized how few options they had.
'You know, what could we do? We could go to civil court and, 'Okay, your dog was worth $70. Here you go,'' Roby said, noting that pets are viewed as property under Texas law.
In August 2024, the couple planned their wedding and subsequent honeymoon out-of-state. They dropped Kali off to stay at an Austin-area boarding and daycare facility for part of that time. The facility's staff was supposed drop Kali off at Jordyn's father's house, where she'd stay for the rest of their trip, but she never made it home.
On the first day of their honeymoon, the newlyweds received a text alerting them that Kali had been rushed to an emergency veterinarian. KXAN investigators reviewed records from that medical provider, revealing Kali 'overheated in a daycare van.' She and another 3-year-old dog passed away.
Hawkes said through tears, when recounting that day, 'I just had this feeling like, she was right the whole time. She was right to be scared of the car.'
She added, 'I think the most shocking part of all this process has been just the lack of regulations that the state of Texas has [for the pet services industry].'
KXAN reached out to the facility in Kali's case, but it declined to comment.
'We were in the lobby of this hotel that we had just gotten married at the day before, and to have this, like, super high and this crushing low was…' Brian trailed off. He went on to say, 'The grief kept coming in waves. It still does, you know, randomly grab — grab a hold, and it's been tough.'
The couple began to connect with other families who have lost dogs and cats while in the care of pet services businesses — such as Katelyn Rohde.
Rohde lost Roland, who she refers to as her 'silly goose,' at a Texas dog daycare facility. Shortly after, she started a nonprofit in Roland's name, with the goal of raising awareness and pushing for change. She's worked with other experts and advocates to publish guides to help other pet owners, such as a Dog Daycare Evaluation Guide and the Roland & Friends Guide to Selecting and Finding a Dog Trainer.
'All this information is not intended to be like a black-and-white 'this is what you do,' but ultimately, for you to, kind of, think through what is most important for your dog — for your silly goose — so you can establish what is best for them in those situations,' she said.
Roland's Silly Goose Crew also launched a survey of pet owners', which showed 96% of respondents would be supportive or strongly supportive of Texas dog daycare facilities adopting more consistent safety, communication and transparency standards through regulation, voluntary safeguards or other measures.
'1% better is 1% better when you're starting from nothing,' Rohde said.
She said believes Pancho's Law is the first step.
As HB 285 worked through the legislative process, some people raised concerns about an exception in the law for veterinarians. A provision states that these medical professionals have a defense to prosecution for alleged conduct that occurs while performing their duties as licensed veterinarians or as a person assisting the veterinarian.
Some public commenters pushed back on that provision and asked lawmakers to hold medical professionals to the same standards as others under the law.
Ashley Morgan, with the Texas Humane Legislation Network, addressed these concerns in her testimony before a Senate committee, noting that people and veterinarians can still be prosecuted, particularly for knowing or intentional harm.
She told lawmakers that she sees the need for Pancho's Law regularly in her work as an attorney, when families come to her for help.
'I more often than not have to tell these people, 'There is nothing I can do for you,'' Morgan testified.
KXAN reached out to more than 20 pet service business owners and managers in the Austin area to get a sense of how they feel about the potential change, if the governor signs HB 285 into law.
The responses were mixed: a few raised concerns. One said, in part, 'While I am vehemently against any form of animal cruelty, at face value the threat of criminal prosecution for operating a kennel or grooming salon is nothing short of outrageous and would be a huge deterrent for these businesses to stay open.' They described thousands of owners of these facilities 'who often work 60+ hours a week, some just scraping by, and most of whom rely on the income of their business to live.'
Several business operators told KXAN they supported the law and welcomed more regulation in the industry to protect pets. One said, in part, 'Hopefully this bill will help hold 'bad apples' in the pet care industry— as well as individuals — accountable for mistreatment and generally negligent behavior. Caring for animals is a big responsibility and should be treated as such.'
Some facility operators were not aware of the proposal and said they would look into it; others declined to comment.
HB 285 passed the House of Representatives with 125 vote in favor and 5 votes against. It passed out of the Senate unanimously. The bill has been sent to the Gov. Greg Abbott for consideration. If he signs it into law, it would go into effect this September.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Washington Post
23 minutes ago
- Washington Post
Live updates: Trump heading to Scotland as controversy over Epstein files swirls in Washington
President Donald Trump is heading to Scotland on Friday as the controversy over his administration's handling of the Jeffrey Epstein files continues to dominate discussion in Washington. Trump's trip is scheduled to include a meeting with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer focused heavily on trade and the opening of a third Trump golf course in Scotland. On Thursday, Trump visited the Federal Reserve, whose chair he has heavily criticized, and issued an executive order directing federal agencies to find ways to make it easier to forcibly hospitalize homeless people with mental illness and addiction for longer periods. President Donald Trump endorsed former Republican congressman Mike Rogers on Thursday night in the race for an open Senate seat in Michigan. 'From the U.S. Army to Congress, Mike has served our Nation with distinction, and will bring that same Fighting Spirit to the U.S. Senate,' Trump wrote on Truth Social. TALLAHASSEE — Jeffrey Epstein's imprisoned former associate Ghislaine Maxwell met with a top Justice Department official for about five hours Thursday, her attorney said, answering every question in 'a very productive day.' Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche said he would continue interviewing Maxwell on Friday. Worried they could face a difficult 2026, Republicans are taking steps now to shore up their House majority even if voters turn against them. The Justice Department on Thursday appeared to have found a work-around for President Donald Trump's former personal lawyer Alina Habba to continue as New Jersey's top federal prosecutor, through a complex procedural maneuver aimed at eking victory out of a standoff between the Trump administration and the state's federal judges over the post.


The Hill
an hour ago
- The Hill
Democrats pressure Schumer, Senate to hold line on GOP spending bills
House Democrats are cranking up the pressure on their Senate colleagues to hold the line against any Republican spending bills, warning that support for partisan legislation would prove more harmful than a potential shutdown — and trigger an outcry from the party's already deflated base. House Democrats were virtually united against a GOP spending package in March, only to see Senate Democrats — most notably Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) — help Republicans advance it into law. The episode infuriated Democrats in and out of Congress, eroded trust between the chambers and raised some questions about Schumer's future at the top of the party. Yet with another spending battle brewing for September — and Republicans already eyeing steep federal cuts anathema across the aisle — House Democrats are holding out hope that this time will be different. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) is already warning that a Republican-only spending package is 'dead on arrival.' And even those lawmakers most critical of Schumer's strategy in March are predicting the chambers will be united when the battle heats up ahead of the Oct. 1 shutdown deadline. 'Leader Jeffries putting that strong line down is something I support, and something I think that our whole party will rally around,' said Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.), who had scorched Schumer's handling of the earlier debate. Democrats are pointing to two reasons why they think the current spending fight might play out differently from the one in March, when Schumer joined nine other Senate Democrats to advance the Republican spending bill. First, the recent GOP efforts to claw back funds already approved by Congress has united House and Senate Democrats, who are accusing Republicans of violating bipartisan deals negotiated in good faith. Those so-called rescissions have diminished the Democrats' trust in President Trump and Republicans to honor spending agreements, even when both parties are on board, while giving Democrats plenty of ammunition to justify their opposition to GOP-only bills. Russell Vought, Trump's budget director, has fueled those arguments by recently advising Republicans to abandon bipartisanship in setting federal spending. 'My hope is that, due to what has happened — especially with the Republicans using rescissions to essentially renege on deals that were made before … the Senate sees that and says, 'They're not operating in good faith,'' said Rep. Maxwell Frost (D-Fla.). Others pointed to Trump's record of shifting funds — or simply refusing to spend money on the programs Congress intended — as reason for Senate Democrats to reject any spending bills that lack bipartisan buy-in — or guardrails that would ensure funds go where they're directed. 'Right now, we have a president that's operating outside of the bounds of the law and the Constitution — a president that doesn't give a damn about checks and balances, doesn't give a damn what you actually pass, he's going to do whatever he wants,' said Rep. Jimmy Gomez (D-Calif.). 'So why are you going to help the Republicans pass something that's going to be devastating? And then he's going to take it a step further?' Secondly, in light of the outcry that followed Schumer's actions in March, many Democrats suggested he simply couldn't survive another round of internal attacks. 'I had a phone call last night about this issue. [The caller said], 'Well, Schumer is probably going to fold.' And I said, 'No, no, he's not going to,'' said Rep. Emanuel Cleaver (D-Mo.). 'His future might hinge on this, but I also think that it will be the most obvious thing for him to do,' he continued. 'I think he realized that our base is not going to tolerate us just rolling over and rolling over.' Schumer, in recent days, has taken long strides to reassure fellow Democrats that he's ready for a fight. In floor speeches and press conferences, the Senate's top Democrat has warned Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) that partisan spending bills, to include rescissions, have threatened to destroy a decades-old tradition of bipartisan appropriations. Schumer is also going out of his way to align himself with House Democrats on the issue. 'We're in agreement. We all want to pursue a bipartisan, bicameral appropriations process,' Schumer told reporters after a meeting with Jeffries. 'That's how it's always been done successfully, and we believe that should happen.' His words haven't been overlooked by House Democrats, who are cheering Schumer's warning shots delivered so far ahead of the shutdown deadline. Their focus on the Senate is practical: The filibuster is the single most powerful tool available to the minority Democrats, and only the Senate has access to it. 'He seems to be setting forth, well in advance of the deadline, what his bottom lines are,' said Rep. Joe Morelle (D-N.Y.). 'I appreciate what he's saying that they have a slightly different role in that they can actually stop this. At the same token, they can actually stop this, and insist on a more bipartisan approach.' In March, Schumer made the calculation that allowing the government to shut down — and risk having Democrats be blamed — would prove more harmful than enduring the inevitable friendly fire from liberals that would come from supporting the GOP package. This time around, some Democrats say he has much more cover. 'I have confidence in Sen. Schumer, because I think that was then and this is now. And now, I think, it is clear that we — on both sides [of the Capitol] — should stick to our core values and vote no,' said Rep. Adriano Espaillat (D-N.Y.). 'I understand his concern back then,' he added. 'But I think public opinion, and of course reality, shows that the American people are willing to understand a shutdown, because they also understand that the details of many of these spending bills are horrific, and that it would impact their personal lives.' Jeffries, for his part, is vowing that House Democrats will be united against partisan GOP spending bills. And he's predicting that, this time, Democratic senators will be allies in that fight. 'A partisan spending bill is dead on arrival in terms of securing significant Democratic support or any Democratic support in the House,' he said, 'and I believe that that is the case in the Senate, as well.' Most Democrats seem to agree, but there are also signs that the distrust created in March is still lingering ahead of the next shutdown battle. 'This is politics, so you can only trust people as far as you can throw 'em. And especially senators,' Gomez said. 'Call me crazy, but I don't like cutting deals with somebody that continues to be punching me in the face and then says that they're doing me a favor,' he added. 'And that's what Donald Trump does to the Senate Democrats every time they capitulate on that kind of … legislation.'


San Francisco Chronicle
an hour ago
- San Francisco Chronicle
Philippine Supreme Court rules impeachment bid against vice president is unconstitutional
MANILA, Philippines (AP) — The Philippine Supreme Court ruled Friday that an impeachment case filed against Vice President Sara Duterte violated the country's constitution due to a technicality, a decision that would block her scheduled trial over a raft of criminal allegations including her threat to have the president assassinated. The House of Representatives, which impeached Duterte in February and sent the case to the Senate for trial, violated a rule that only one impeachment case could be processed by the lower chamber against an impeachable official in a single year, court spokesperson Camille Ting said. The House received at least four separate impeachment cases against Duterte between December and February but only one was transmitted to the Senate, which will serve as an impeachment tribunal. The ruling was 'immediately executory,' the court said in a decision that was not immediately made public. 'It is not our duty to favor any political result,' the court said in a statement, suggesting it did not pass judgement on the array of allegations. 'Ours is to ensure that politics are framed within the rule of just law.' Duterte, 47, became the first vice president of the Philippines to be impeached by the House in February over an array of alleged high crimes. The accusations were led by her threat during a November online news conference to have President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., his wife and cousin, then-House Speaker Martin Romualdez, killed by an assassin if she were killed herself during her high-profile disputes with them. The daughter of Marcos' controversial predecessor, Rodrigo Duterte, she also has been accused of large-scale corruption, sedition, terrorism and failing to openly support Philippine government efforts to oppose and denounce China's aggressive actions against Filipino forces in the disputed South China Sea. Duterte allegedly backed her father's brutal crackdowns against illegal drugs that led to extrajudicial killings in their southern home city. Her impeachment trial was set to begin either next week or early next month by the 24-member Senate, which has convened to hear the case. If the Supreme Court ruling becomes final, the vice president's opponents could file another impeachment case after a year. Duterte ran as Marcos's running mate in 2022 on a campaign battle cry of unity in their deeply divided and poverty-stricken Southeast Asian country. Both were scions of strongmen accused of human rights violations, but their strong regional bases of political support combined to give them landslide victories. Their whirlwind political alliance, however, rapidly frayed when they took office. Duterte's father openly accused Marcos of being a weak leader and a drug addict even during the campaign, allegations the president denied. The vice president later resigned from her then-concurrent Cabinet post as educations secretary as the rifts between the two political families deepened. She later accused Marcos, his wife and Romualdez of corruption, weak leadership and attempting to muzzle her because of speculation she may seek the presidency in 2028 when Marcos's six-year term ends. Duterte made the comment about killing Marcos and his family members during a Nov. 23 news conference, a threat she warned wasn't a joke. Faced with the prospects of criminal lawsuits, Duterte later said she wasn't threatening him but was expressing concern for her own safety. Still, her statements set off a criminal investigation and national security concerns and prompted calls for her impeachment. Among the impeachment complaint signatories was the president's son, Rep. Sandro Marcos, and Romualdez. The petition urged the Senate to shift into an impeachment court to try the vice president, 'render a judgement of conviction,' remove her from office and ban her from holding public office. 'Duterte's conduct throughout her tenure clearly displays gross faithlessness against public trust and a tyrannical abuse of power that, taken together, showcases her gross unfitness to hold public office and her infidelity to the laws and the 1987 Constitution,' the complaint said. Last month, senators voted to send the raft of complaints back to the House due to legal questions, sparking street protests demanding Duterte's immediate trial. Then-Senate President Chiz Escudero said the move led by Duterte's allies in the Senate did not mean the impeachment complaint was being dismissed and issued a summons for Duterte to appear when the trial proceeds.