Get details on who to write to, how, ect, front page of
www.lswda.orgThe Honorable (legislator's name)
His/her address
City, State, Zip
Dear Sen/Rep Name:
Recently, a bill was submitted by Army SSgt. Lance Falzone of Copperas Cove, TX, who is currently on deployment in Iraq to Texas House Representative Jimmie Don Aycock (District 54) relating to the classification and care of working dogs (Please see attached proposed bill).
There are many working dog owners, including those who own dogs that provide an unselfish beneficial service for the public; such as dogs used for police, military, search and rescue, service assistance animals, wounded game recovery, tending, locating, working, or protecting stock that would be positively impacted by this legislation.
I feel that this proposed bill would unshackle selflessness working dog owners from legislation meant to restrict pet dog breeders whose primary initiative is monetary gain. Furthermore, I believe this proposed bill would lift unnecessary restrictions from working dogs owners so that they may continue raising and training working animals used to fill needed, critical, and vital positions that are proven to provide an essential valuable service to and for the general public.
I am urging you to please support this proposed bill.
Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
You’re Name
Your Address
Your Phone Number
Working Dog Preservation Bill
By:________________________ ____.B. NO. ________
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT
relating to the classification and care of working dogs
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1.
DEFINITION. In this Act a “working dog” means:
(1) A dog used primarily for the purpose of driving, tending, locating,
working, or protecting stock to include domestic and feral stock, swine and exotics;
(2) A dog used for police, military, substance detection, protection, search, rescue or recovery purposes;
(3) A dog used as a service, assistance or therapy animal;
(4) A dog used to locate, retrieve, or capture an animal, or used in the
recovery of wounded or dead animals;
(5) A dog that is in training for any of the above purposes;
(6) The definition does not rely upon where the dog lives, or it’s breed,
but its primary use;
SECTION 2.
A dog that is defined as a “working dog” is not considered a
pet and will be exempt from laws intended to apply to pets.
(2) A working dog will not be subject to laws:
(a) Requiring mandatory spay or neuter;
(b) Restricting or requiring permits for the number of animals an owner
may possess, regardless of reproductive status;
(c) Restricting how the dog may be housed;
(d) Requiring additional insurance due to weight, breed, sex, or
reproductive status is of the dog;
(e) Restricting breeds that may be kept by the owner.
SECTION 3. Section 42.09, Penal Code applies to the care of working dogs.
SECTION 4. This act takes effect September 1, 2011.
