Reposting from AKC Government Relations e-mail:
The American Kennel Club Government Relations Department has just learned that House Bill 1451, which seeks to establish extensive regulations for dog breeders, has been rushed through committee and will likely be considered by the House of Representatives any day. It is imperative that all responsible dog owners and breeders in Texas contact their State Representative and ask them to oppose House Bill 1451.
Click here and type in your address to find the name and contact information for your State Representative.http://www.house.state.tx.us/resourc...tions/#who_rep
The AKC strongly supports the humane treatment of dogs, including providing an adequate and nutritious diet, clean living conditions, regular veterinary care, kind and responsive human companionship and training in appropriate behavior. However, as currently written, House Bill 1451 imposes numerous regulations that would not improve the health and welfare of dogs, but would violate the rights of responsible breeders at great expense to Texas taxpayers.
Summary:
As amended by the House Licensing & Administrative Procedures Committee,
http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs...avpanes=0House Bill 1451 contains numerous provisions of concern, including, but not limited to:
Broad, vague definition of “dog or cat breeder” – As currently written, this is defined as anyone who owns 11 or more intact females over 6 months of age and “is engaged in the business of breeding…” Since there is no time frame, this could apply to anyone who has owned a total of 11 or more intact females over 6 months of age at any time, even if they are not currently breeding their animals. The bill states that it is presumed an intact female is kept for the purpose of breeding unless the owner can prove based on breeding records or other evidence that they are not breeding. This means that a person would be required to get a license and be subject to unannounced inspections of their private homes unless they can prove to the satisfaction of the state that they are not, in fact, breeding dogs or cats for sale.
Establishment of licensing regulations and fees by rule – The license fees and many other provisions of this bill will be determined through the regulatory process. The commission is permitted to establish fees necessary to cover the cost of enforcing these laws and regulations. However, the fiscal note attached to this bill indicated that it will cost the state at least $1.3 million to administer the program for the first year. Even if the state’s projections regarding the number potential licensees is correct, this could mean fees of over $1,000 per licensee. The AKC believes that a cap needs to be placed on these fees to ensure that they remain reasonable for licensees.
Latest news is that this bill is being fast tracked this week to avoid a floor vote.
Contact your Texas Representative and Senator ASAP and AGAIN. Subject Line: OPPOSE HB 1451.
Let them know that you believe Rep. Senfronia Thompson (D-Houston) is abusing her role as Chair of the House Local and Consent Calendar Committee at the behest of HSUS to avoid a floor vote. HB 1451 affects every dog breeder in Texas and everyone who owns a Texas bred dog.
If she succeeds in a Committee vote THIS WEEK, the bill moves forward without our Representatives even knowing about it until it is too late.
Also, contact the Speaker of the House
http://www.house.state.tx.us/members...121&session=82 and Lt. Governor
http://www.ltgov.state.tx.us/contact.php and let them know that you OPPOSE HB 1451 and other efforts to limit our rights to own and love dogs in Texas. Tell them to step in and take control of these seedy attempts by non-Texans to influence our State government.
If you are from out of state, contact the Speaker and Lt. Governor and tell them you are ashamed of Texas and will not support national dog events in Texas if this legislation passes.
I own a dog(s), and I vote.
Thanks for "listening."
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