Sec. 161.143. IMPORTATION OF ANIMALS. (a) A person, including a railroad company or other common carrier, commits an offense if the person knowingly moves an animal into this state in violation of a rule of the commission adopted under Section 161.081 of this code.

(b) An offense under this section is a Class C misdemeanor unless it is shown on the trial of the offense that the defendant has been previously convicted under this section, in which event the offense is a Class B misdemeanor.

(c) A person commits a separate offense for each animal moved in violation of a rule of the commission.

Acts 1981, 67th Leg., p. 1407, ch. 388, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1981. Amended by Acts 1989, 71st Leg., ch. 836, Sec. 28, eff. Sept. 1, 1989; Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 548, Sec. 10, eff. Sept. 1, 1993.