It's time for all of us with dogs to get our heads out of the sand, and we need to band together and fight the law that evolved from HB1451.

I have cross posted RPOA's post from this afternoon...it's here, and it's very real.

We've been warning dog people about this.

For you Houstonians, the major push for passage came from Senfronia Thompson and John Whitmire. My representative and senator voted for it, also...I am scheduling meetings with both of them.


RPOA received a phone call Friday from Brian Francis, deputy executive
director of Texas Department of Licensing & Regulation, regarding the
implementation of the HSUS "Pet Elimination Bill" HB 1451 in Texas. The Dog
and Cat Breeder bill, not a "puppymill" nor commercial breeder bill as
widely publicized.

A Dog and Cat Breeder is a person who possesses more than 10 Intact Females
AND is in the business of breeding those animals for direct or indirect sale
or exchange in return for consideration AND who sells or exchanges, offers
to sell or exchange, not fewer than 20 animals in a calendar year.
(The BUSINESS of breeding is not defined.) Two litters from large female
dogs could easily equal 20 puppies.

Francis said certain provisions will become effective earlier than the
deadlines set in the bill itself.
The ONLY firm date is for all breeders to be licensed and in compliance by
September 1, 2012.
Rules can be adopted before March 31st (deadline in bill) and undoubtedly
will be.

Francis stated that TDLR will have a new sub web page for the Dog and Cat
Breeders Advisory Committee posted on their website Monday which will
contain the application to apply for a position on the advisory committee.
Applications will be accepted from August 1 - September 15 with appointments
to be made "around" the end of October.

HB 1451 mandates the TDLR Commission establish an Animal Advisory Committee
to advise the commission and make recommendations on matters related to the
administration and enforcement of the chapter, including licensing fees and
standards adopted under Subchapter E.

The advisory committee consists of nine members appointed by the presiding
officer of the commission with the approval of the commission as follows:
1) Two members who are [to be] licensed breeders;
2) Two members who are veterinarians;
3) Two members who represent animal welfare organizations each of which has
an office based in this state;
4) Two members who represent the public;
5) One member who is an animal control officer as defined in Section
829.001, Health and Safety Code.

Members are to serve staggered four year terms and meet annually. The
presiding officer of the commission, with the approval of the commission,
shall designate one member to serve as presiding officer of the advisory
committee for a two-year term but they may serve more than one term as
presiding officer.
A decision of the advisory committee is effective only on a majority vote of
the members present.

Do note that this is only an "advisory committee" to make recommendations to
the 7 member TDLR Commission (appointed by the governor) that will make all
final decisions. RPOA expressed our concerns to Brian Francis about Della
Lindquist, TDLR legal counsel, who was involved in writing the bill and is
actively involved with Austin "animal rights" groups and activities.

RPOA will be submitting our list of recommended animal owners to serve on
the Committee to TDLR next week . Anyone can apply after the application is
posted Monday and we encourage our membership to do so.

What if you don't have 10 females but produce more than 20 pups a year. I have one producing female at this moment and have another that is comeing of age but it is still going to be awhile. My producing female out of two litters has produced 29 puppies.

Does this bill affect people like me. I don't ever plan to have 10 females but will still produce more than 20 puppies.

Not yet, I don't think but amendments will be coming next session I'm sure. AND can be changed to OR pretty easily, and just by that one word you'd fall under this law.

The other thing is, how many of those 29 puppies were female? If they are intact and you keep them to I think six months they count against you, and there you have your ten females. Same thing if your buddy kennels a dog with you, or you take in dogs to train. You may not own the dog but it still counts against you.

Ok I see and understand. The bottome line is it sucks and we don't need it.