Law Protects Bison Alongside Cows, Elephants, Llamas

Texas animal owners can rest assured that their cows, pigs, horses — even rhinos and elephants — are protected under the state's agriculture code if they wander off their property. But until the most recent legislative session, bison were not safe. Senate Bill 174, authored by state Sen. Craig Estes, R-Wichita Falls, changes that. The bill adds lost bison to the list of possible “estray livestock” protected by state law, meaning if they break through a fence — as some strong animals are wont to do — whoever finds them must try to locate their owner. If that doesn’t work, local authorities must hold the livestock; they can sell them at a public auction if they remain unclaimed for more than two weeks. “Bison producers in Texas were pretty well left out when it came to a legal structure for handling stray animals,” said Donnis Baggett, who has a ranch near College Station with more than 50 bison on it. “We’ve got a big chunk of our money tied up in those animals, and we can’t afford for some yahoo to shoot them if they have [happen] to get out.” Baggett said including bison under state law is even more important as the industry grows, both within Texas and nationwide. The demand for bison meat, considered healthier than beef from cattle because of its lower fat and calorie content, has skyrocketed in the past decade, along with the price. “It used to be kind of a foodie thing, but it’s more mainstream now," Baggett said. "You can get a bison burger at Fuddruckers, last I heard."

Most Texas bison ranchers have small herds, so losing even a few animals is a big deal. Baggett said a single 1,000-pound bison is worth about $2,300. The drought is also taking its toll, with a shortage of grazing prompting more and more animals to take off in search of food. Dennis Wilson, the sheriff of Limestone County just east of Waco, testified against the law on behalf of the Sheriffs' Association of Texas. He said hiring cowboys to round up lost or escaped cattle is easy enough; bison are more dangerous to capture. His office would be responsible for holding the bison while trying to locate the owner, he argued, incurring additional risk and expense...more