1. Make sure the law gets used
A statute is only as strong as the cases brought under it. We're working with prosecutors, district attorneys, and animal-cruelty investigators across Texas to make sure they know the criminal-negligence standard now applies to pet service businesses — and that families have a path to a charge, not just a small-claims refund.
2. Help dog families recognize negligence
Most people whose dogs are hurt at a daycare or grooming visit don't know what just happened to them is a crime. We're producing plain-language guides, working with shelters and rescues, and partnering with groups like the SPCA of Texas, THLN, and Roland's Silly Goose Crew to spread that awareness.
3. Take Pancho's Law beyond Texas
Texas is one of the few states that now allows criminal-negligence prosecution of pet care businesses. There's no reason it should stay rare. We're helping families and advocates in other states use HB 285 as a model.
4. Keep collecting stories
We're still gathering testimonials — from before HB 285 and after. Your story helps prosecutors understand what the law was meant to fix, helps lawmakers in other states see why it's needed, and helps other families know they're not alone.
For example
The kinds of cases HB 285 was written for
A groomer broke a dog's back…
…while trying to restrain it for grooming.
A walker lost three dogs on a "pack walk"…
…resulting in death or injury to all three.
A trainer left dogs in a hot car…
…where they overheated and died.
A daycare's neglect killed a dog under their care.
Before HB 285, the business kept operating as if nothing happened. After HB 285, that's a Class A misdemeanor.