(a) No person may sell or possess for the purpose of sale in this state a living armadillo.
(b) This section does not apply to:
(1) the sale of an animal by or to a zoo;
(2) the sale of an animal to an educational institution or a medical or research center for scientific purposes as authorized by a permit issued under Subchapter C , Chapter 43 , of this code; or
(3) the sale to a commercial dealer who in turn resells for purposes authorized in Subdivisions (1) and (2) of this subsection.
(c) In this section, "zoo" means a publicly or privately owned establishment that has a permanent place of business open to the public and that displays 15 or more different species of wildlife.
(d) A peace officer who has probable cause to believe that an animal has been sold or held for sale in violation of Subsection (a) of this section may seize the animal and hold it for observation to determine if the animal has rabies or any other communicable disease harmful to man or other animals. If the animal is free from disease, the officer may release the animal or, if the animal is otherwise dangerous or harmful, may destroy it. If the animal is diseased, it shall be destroyed. An officer exercising the duties under this section is immune from liability.
(e) A person who violates Subsection (a) of this section, in addition to the penalties under Section 63.104 of this code, on conviction shall pay all costs and expenses incurred under Subsection (d) of this section.
Added by Acts 1979, 66th Leg., p. 386, ch. 177, Sec. 1, eff. Aug. 27, 1979. Amended by Acts 1981, 67th Leg., p. 2741, ch. 748, Sec. 5, eff. Sept. 1, 1981; Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 267, art. 3, Sec. 51, eff. Sept. 1, 1985.
