Harmful Dog Bill Legislation Moving Fast~Action Needed

[Hot4huntin]

Harmful Texas Dog Bill Moving Fast

Sportsmen Calls Needed to Stop Legislation Threatening Sporting Dog Owners

House Bill 1451, introduced by Rep. Senfronia Thompson (D- Houston), would classify sporting dog owners as commercial dog breeders and subject them to costly new regulations, warrantless home inspections, and expensive new permit fees.

This bill has been put on the fast track. It was rushed through the committee process and has been placed on the House Local and Consent Calendar – a Calendar typically reserved for noncontroversial bills – where it could be quickly passed through the full House.

Sportsmen need to contact their state representatives today and ask them to oppose House Bill 1451 and to remove it from the Local and Consent Calendar to allow for a much needed debate on the bill.

Some of the many harmful provisions in the bill include:

Classifying anyone who possesses 11 or more intact female dogs and sells only one dog as a “breeder.” So-called breeders are then subject to unnecessary new regulations and costly fees.

Allowing unannounced searches of all areas where a breeder keeps dogs or maintains records related to their dogs. This would allow warrantless searches of a breeder’s own home.

Allowing a commission to set permit fees for breeders that are necessary to pay for administrative cost and enforcement of the bill. The fiscal note attached to the bill estimates that this will amount to nearly $1.3 million.
Based on this estimate, fees for sporting dog owners could be in the thousands of dollars.

Requiring the commission to establish new, unnecessary standards of care requirements including new enclosure, veterinary, and exercise requirements.
These new requirements are not needed and would cause a financial burden on responsible sporting dog breeders.

Take Action! Texas sportsmen should contact their state representatives today and ask them to oppose HB 1451 and to remove it from the Local and Consent Calendar. Tell them the bill treats sporting dog and hobby breeders as large commercial breeders, allows for warrantless searches of homes, and creates unnecessary, costly new regulations.

To find your state senator’s contact information, visit the USSA Legislative Action Center at www.ussportsmen.org/LAC.

For more information, contact the U.S. Sportsmen's Alliance at 614-888-4868 or email info@ussportsmen.org


U.S. Sportsmen's Alliance
801 Kingsmill Parkway
Columbus, Ohio 43229
614-888-4868
www.ussportsmen.org
info@ussportsmen.org

[DonPablo]

This was my e-mail to our senator:

I was dismayed to learn that HB 1451 had survived long enough to find itself at the Senate's door. I only hope that you and your colleagues have a better understanding of your duty to represent, "the people." I have yet to hear of any supportive following for this bill but am well aware of the massive opposition to it by sportsmen across the state. I must remind you that as voters we have an obligation to vote our, "representatives" out of office when they no longer value our political positions and or rights.

[Hot4huntin]

Thank you, Pablo! Well written!

[Hot4huntin]

Public Hearing Set For Bill Treating Sporting Dog Owners As “Puppy Mills”

Sportsmen and sporting dog owners should plan to attend and voice their opposition!

A public hearing has been set for House Bill 1451 which would treat many sporting dog and hobby breeders the same as so-called “puppy mills” and could put many sporting dog and hobby breeders out of existence. Sportsmen and sporting dog owners should plan on attending to voice their opposition to House Bill 1451.

The hearing will take place this Thursday, May 12th at 1:30 p.m. and will be held in Room 2E.20 (Betty King Committee Room) at the Capitol in Austin.
House Bill 1451 would:

Classify sporting dog kennels or hobby breeders who have 11 female dogs that have not been spayed to be classified the same as a huge commercial dealer if they sell just two dogs.

Charge kennel license fees likely to be at least $1,300 per kennel even for hobby breeders who hardly ever sell dogs.

Create an unelected commission to create kennel construction requirements, record keeping requirements and other expensive red tape items that hobby breeders cannot afford because their primary purpose is not to sell dogs.

Allow for unannounced inspections of kennels and the homes of their owners if they keep their kennel records on a computer inside their house.

Allow for the inspection of records within a home without any suspicion of wrong doing or even a search warrant.

Threaten to drive sporting dog kennels and hobby breeders out of business because they do not have the commercial revenue to offset high fees, and expensive regulations.

Disclose personal information about dog breeders to the public by creating a public directory containing information on all registered breeders.

Take Action! Sportsmen and sporting dog owners should plan on attending Thursday’s hearing and testify in opposition to House Bill 1451. Those unable to attend should call their state senator and ask them to vote no on House Bill 1451. To contact your senator, visit the U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance Legislative Action Center at www.ussportsmen.org/lac.

For more information, contact the U.S. Sportsmen's Alliance at 614-888-4868 or email info@ussportsmen.org


U.S. Sportsmen's Alliance
801 Kingsmill Parkway
Columbus, Ohio 43229
614-888-4868
www.ussportsmen.org
info@ussportsmen.org