SEIZURE AND DISPOSAL OF CERTAIN ANIMALS' PELTS AND CARCASSES

(a) A game warden or authorized employee of the department may seize a fur-bearing animal, pelt, or carcass taken or possessed in violation of a provision of this code or a lawful regulation of the commission. (b) The department may sell a confiscated fur-bearing animal, pelt, or carcass to the highest of three bidders. At the time of a sale under this subsection, the department shall provide the buyer a receipt for all fur-bearing animals, pelts, or carcasses sold to the buyer. The department shall deposit the proceeds of the sale in the state treasury to the credit of the appropriate suspense fund pending the outcome of any action against the person charged with an unlawful action described by Subsection (a). If that person is found guilty, pleads guilty or nolo contendere, is placed on deferred adjudication, or fails to appear in accordance with a notice described by Section 12.106 or another law requiring that, as a condition of release, the defendant subsequently appear before a court to answer for the offense, the department shall transfer the proceeds of the sale to the credit of the game, fish, and water safety account. If the person is acquitted by the trial court, the charges against the person are dismissed, or the statute of limitations period for the prosecution of the offense has expired, the department shall pay the proceeds of the sale to the person from whom the items were seized. (c) A game warden or authorized employee of the department acting under the authority of this section is immune from liability and from suit for the seizure of items under this section. (d) To the extent practicable, Subtitle A, Title 6, Health and Safety Code, applies to an animal or animal part sold under this section that is intended for sale and use as human food.