This Bill is in committee, TDHA is asking everyone to take the time to call each committee member and ask them to vote NO on HB 1451 every call counts and only takes a minute, trust me you will feel good when you hang up the phone.
TEXAS ALERT – HB 1451 HEARING SCHEDULED MARCH 15
Dear SAOVA friends,
HB 1451 Commercial Dog & Cat Breeder Act has been scheduled for a hearing at 8:00 AM Tuesday, March 15 by the Licensing & Administrative Committee in Room E2-012 in the Capitol Building.
SYNOPSIS
HSUS-Funded Representative Senfronia Thompson (D, 141) filed HB 1451, a bill to regulate Texas dog and cat breeders. HB 1451 is supported by a coalition of animal rights groups including HSUS, PETA, ASPCA, and Texas Humane Legislation Network (THLN). “Commercial breeder” is defined as a person who possesses 11 or more intact female dogs or cats over 6 months of age. Ownership is capped at 50 intact animals without approval by the state, additional facility requirements and additional fees. Criminal background checks for both kennel owners and staff would be required for kennel license approval. A kennel license can be denied, suspended, or revoked for any infraction of the regulations or record-keeping rules or failure to complete a corrective action in the time allotted in an inspection report. Breeding females must have adequate rest between breeding cycles and a yearly veterinary exam. HB 1451 is only an outline of intended future regulations. The Texas Commission of Licensing and Regulation would be required to adopt the rules, standards, procedures, and fees necessary to implement the Act by March 31, 2012. Future rules and regulations established must meet or exceed current federal regulations for the handling, care, treatment, and transportation of dogs and cats.
OPPOSITION POINTS
* Increasingly animal rights activists have broadened the term “puppy mill” until anyone who breeds a dog is fair game for attack. Even someone who only breeds an occasional litter is at risk of being labeled as a dreaded “puppy mill” by activists who do not approve of breeding or procreation in the first place.
* January 2011 the Texas legislature unveiled a budget which cuts $31 billion in spending to close the state's massive budget deficit estimated to be between $15 and $27 billion. Education, health and human services, and the criminal justice department will be hard hit and thousands of government jobs will be eliminated. It is unconscionable for lawmakers to even consider trading scarce funds for human needs and services in order to implement a costly kennel inspection program.
* Third party inspectors can include state agencies, animal control personnel, and any local law enforcement official including firemen. The wide variety of backgrounds, ability, experience, and resources for such a diverse source of inspectors should be of concern to dog and cat breeders who may be included in the proposed rules and regulations.
* HB 1451 requires licensure and inspection of kennels and catteries for simply owning intact dogs/cats even if breeding is occasional. Owners who breed even one or two litters a year or those who breed dogs to be used as working dogs, security dogs, herding dogs, livestock guardian dogs, service dogs, as well as dogs and cats for family pets will be severely impacted by the enormous cost of ordinance-compliant facilities.
* Inspectors are not required to provide advance notice to a commercial breeder before arriving at the facility.
* Requires each adult intact female animal be provided with adequate rest between breeding cycles, but “adequate” is not defined. Frequency of breeding is a decision that should be made by the owner in consultation with the owner’s veterinarian and not by legislative mandate.
More talking points along with contact information for committee members can be found at the SAOVA website:
http://www.saova.org/TexasHB1451.html ACTION REQUIRED
Call the Committee Clerk, Jeff Madden (512) 463-0798, and ask to be registered as Opposed to HB 1451.
Call, fax, and email committee members. Use the email link on the SAOVA webpage to contact all committee members at one time.
Call your representative and oppose this bill.
COMMITTEE CONTACTS
Chairman Rep. Mike Hamilton
Phone: 512-463-0412
Fax: 512-463-1915
mike.hamilton@house.state.tx.usVice Chair Rep. Chente Quintanilla
Phone: 512-463-0613
Fax: 512-463-1237
chente.quintanilla@house.state.tx.usMembers:
Rep. Joe Driver
Phone: 512-463-0574
Fax: 512-463-1481
joe.driver@house.state.tx.usRep. Charlie Geren
Phone: 512-463-0610
Fax: 512-463-8310
charlie.geren@house.state.tx.usRep. Roland Gutierrez
Phone: 512-463-0452
Fax: 512-463-1447
roland.gutierrez@house.state.tx.usRep. Patricia Harless
Phone: 512-463-0496
Fax: 512-463-1507
patricia.harless@house.state.tx.usRep. John Kuempel
Phone: 512-463-0602
Fax: 512-480-0391
john.kuempel@house.state.tx.usRep. Jose Menendez
Phone: 512-463-0634
Fax: 512-463-7668
jose.menendez@house.state.tx.usRep. Senfronia Thompson
Phone: 512-463-0720
Fax: 512-463-6306
senfronia.thompson@house.state.tx.us CROSS POSTING IS ENCOURAGED
