AR agenda: same game across the board

The animal rights platform is: universal reduction of human contact with animals regardless of species. This is accomplished by manipulation and extreme governmental regulation. HB 1451 is no exception; the bill goes far beyond any perceived need to ensure humane conditions for dogs.

Parallel quotes from animal rights organization leaders behind the introduction of HB 1451:

Jill Buckley (senior director of ASPCA Legislative Affairs) stated HB 1451 would "ensure that large-scale dog and cat breeders in the state comply with such basic humane standards as providing clean water, proper food, enough space for dogs and cats to easily sit, stand, turn around and lie down, and provide essential veterinary care."

Wayne Pacelle (HSUS CEO) “I just got the very exciting news from California that Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has signed A.B. 1437, a bill backed by The HSUS that requires that starting in 2015 all shell (whole) eggs sold in California must come from hens who were able to stand up, lie down, turn around, and fully extend their limbs without touching one another or the sides of an enclosure. In other words: California will become a cage-free state.”

Cartoon posted immediately after HSUS “puppy mill” ballot initiative win in Missouri.

Animal use groups from livestock producers to cancer researchers to dog breeders and cat fanciers need to recognize this common threat. Critically important is that the animal rights agenda must be clear to every Texas Senator.

Texas Senators Work to Narrow "Puppy Mill" Bill

The Texas Tribune. May 17, 2011

A controversial bill meant to shut down puppy mills has drawn another outspoken opponent in state Sen. Dan Patrick, R-Houston.

"I'm a barking 'no,'" Patrick said during a public hearing on the bill that turned into a raucous affair last week.

The so-called puppy mill bill, HB 1451, was approved in the Senate Criminal Justice Committee on Friday and now awaits approval from the full Senate. But before that happens, state Sen. John Whitmire, D-Houston, said he is working to narrow the scope of the measure to ensure that it targets animal abusers and not hobby breeders or others who humanely raise dogs. "We want to make certain we don't have any unintended consequences," said Whitmire, the Senate sponsor of the House bill authored by state Rep. Senfronia Thompson, D-Houston.

The bill would impose new licensing requirements and regulations on dog breeders. Anyone with 11 or more unspayed female dogs would be considered a commercial breeder subject to licensing and regulations. The bill would require breeders to pay licensing fees and to abide by strict rules governing the animals’ living conditions and health care. The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation would develop and enforce the regulations.

Patrick and others who oppose the bill agree that puppy mills ought to be shuttered. Those are facilities where owners keep dogs in squalid conditions and force them to breed repeatedly. But the current bill, they say, wouldn't stop bad breeders. Instead, the strict regulations and expensive requirements for veterinary care, Patrick and others argue, would drive out of business good breeders who follow the guidelines. "The bill as written would have a very negative impact on dog breeders who are the good guys," he said. One measure that Patrick took particular umbrage with was a requirement for dog breeders to conduct criminal background checks on their employees. "That’s a crock in my view," he said during the committee hearing. "That’s beyond reasonable licensing. That’s just ridiculous."

Van Zandt County Sheriff R.P. "Pat" Burnett told the Senate committee that he has used existing anti-cruelty laws to shut down puppy mills and confiscate more than 3,000 animals. What's needed, Burnett said, are tougher penalties for existing cruelty laws. "This bill will not stop them, period," he said.

Opponents of the bill argue that puppy mill operators would simply avoid becoming licensed, thereby evading the increased costs that come with the regulations. And under the legislation, the only penalty for failing to get licensed would be a fine. Meanwhile, breeders who comply with the rules would shell out thousands for licensing fees and veterinary care.

Whitmire and supporters of the measure say it won't affect breeders who raise animals humanely. "We're there to find the dogs that are locked up in crates, small cages, feces everywhere, distemper, parvo puppies, dying," Sgt. Joseph Guerra, an investigator at the Houston Humane Society, told the committee.

Whitmire said his version of the bill would exempt breeders who raise hunting dogs, and it might also exempt show dog breeders. He is also considering a change to the bill that would base licensing requirements on the number of animals a breeder sells rather than on the number of dogs owned. While he is willing to address "legitimate concerns" about the bill, Whitmire said he is unimpressed by those who object to the bill simply because they oppose government involvement.

Puppy mills are a real problem, Whitmire said, and Texas needs to put them out of business. He said he is "guardedly optimistic" that the measure will be approved by the full Senate when it comes up for a vote. "We've got more work to do." he said.

Patrick said he thinks the bill could be changed enough to gain his support. "I think we can easily fix it," he said.

Texas Legislators Vie for New Bill to Limit Pet Ownership Rights

Edited by National News Desk
Published on Wed, 13 Apr 2011 – 18:39:16

DALLAS, Texas, April 13 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — A collective group of animal organizations – Animal Owners Association of Texas, Professional Canine Breeder Association, East Texas Dog Lovers and individuals – have come together to stand against a bill that they say is unconscionable.

“While thousands of teachers, police and firemen are losing jobs, Texas lawmakers are proposing the passage of HB 1451 designed to implement a costly kennel inspection program,” says Linda Rogers of Animal Owners Association of Texas. “It’s unconscionable for lawmakers to even consider trading scarce funds for human needs and services to implement costly kennel inspections.”

According to this collective, HB 1451 imposes numerous regulations that would not improve the health and welfare of dogs, but would unconstitutionally violate the rights of responsible breeders at great expense to Texas taxpayers. If passed, the bill is slated to increase state spending by 1.3 million per year. Even though the bill indicates cost will be absorbed by breeder fees, details are unclear regarding start-up fees and more.

“There’s already a penal code that addresses the humane care and treatment of all animals without regard to quantity or use,” explains Rogers. “It’s Texas Penal Code 42.092.”

Included among the many associations and individuals against this bill are: the Sheriff’s Association of Texas; Animal Owners Association of Texas; Professional Canine Breeders Association; East Texas Dog Lovers; American Kennel Club; American Pet Registry Inc.; Endangered Breeds Association; American Dog Breeders Ass.; Responsible Pet Owners Alliance; Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council; Texas Pet Industry Coalition; Canine Animal Rescue Effort; American Canine Association; and a host of individual pet lovers, kennel clubs, and Texas veterinarians.

“I’m concerned over the possible passage of HB 1451,” says Dwayne Collins DVM, who has been practicing veterinarian medicine for 42 years. “This bill has many similarities to the bill that was passed in Missouri, Pennsylvania and Oklahoma and clearly had adverse effects on reputable kennel operations. For instance, Oklahoma went from more than 700 licensed USDA kennels to a little more than 350 after the bill’s passage. No major breed registries, including the American Kennel Club support the Texas bill.”

Collins adds that this bill needs to be tabled and rewritten to include those who will be most impacted (i.e., major breed registries, kennel operators and mom and pop operations).

According to bill supporters, the bill will only impact commercial breeders who possess 11 or more adult intact female dogs or cats who are engaged in the business of breeding those animals and selling their offspring. Small breeders with 10 or fewer female breeding dogs will not be affected by the bill, nor will pet stores or other retail outlets that sell dogs or cats.

However, bill opponents say that anyone who breeds/owns dogs or cats will be impacted financially and emotionally with over burdensome rules, regulations, and fees that will be constituted by a commission that has no understanding of the industry.

Additionally, the bill has a provision that allows the department to solicit and accept gifts, grants and other donations from any source, leaving the door open for animal rights activists to influence and control the department.

In the words of Rep. Senfronia Thompson of District 141, “I do not own a pet; I have never bought a bag of dog food and I never will.”

Thompson is the author HB 1451 and wants people to believe that she is doing this for the care and treatment of animals.

Rep. Patricia Harless of District 126 also supports the bill. However, her support is in direct opposition to issues posted on her website. By supporting the bill, private property rights will be limited because animals are private property and free market principles will be discouraged by arbitrarily closing thousands of small businesses that are already doing things right.

Currently, responsible breeders are regulated through USDA, AKC and/or their veterinarians. Irresponsible breeders/owners are not regulated and will avoid any and all laws. If the animals are not cared for, then sheriff or police departments have the right to proceed with Texas Penal Code 42.092.

There were nine committee members: Chairman Rep. Mike Hamilton, Rep. Chente Quintanilla, Rep. Joe Driver, Rep. Charlie Geren, Rep. Roland Gutierrez, Rep. Patricia Harless, Rep. John Kuempel, Rep. Jose Menendez and Rep. Senfronia Thompson. Six of them voted yes to send HB 1451 for a house vote. Three representatives were absent.

To learn more about the bill, visit: www.legis.state.tx.us and search for HB 1451.
To contact legislators and senators, visit: www.fyi.legis.state.tx.us/ .

News Source: Animal Owners Association of Texas :: This press release was issued on behalf of the news source by Send2Press® Newswire, a service of Neotrope®. View all current news at: Send2PressNewswire.com

HB 1451 Anti-Breeding Bill Hearing Held Today

TX-RPOA E-News From RPOA Texas Outreach and Responsible Pet Owners Alliance

What a day!

The Public Hearing on Texas HB 1451, the Dog And Cat Anti-Breeder Bill, was held by the Senate Committee on Criminal Justice today! After all the months of hard work, it paid off. Our witnesses ran the gamut of animal interests and couldn't have been better. If you missed it, you must watch it tonight on the state's website. and scroll down to May 12, 2011 Senate Committee Criminal Justice. It's better than any movie or TV show. You may have to download the free Real Player to receive it.

We can't begin to tell you everything in this E-News. Our hero of the day was definitely Senator Dan Patrick who grilled our speakers and brought out the truth about this bill and the agenda behind it. He was especially concerned about coming into our homes without a Search Warrant, possible extinction of gene pools for rare breeds, Criminal Background Checks for all help - even his own daughter if she wanted to work there for minimum wage. And more. Senator Carona backed him up.

Overall it was made perfectly clear to the senators that there's no need for this bill; that the existing state Animal Cruelty Law works well with testimony from Van Zandt County Sheriff Pat Burnett; retired policeman David Tapley, and James Whorter, an animal control officer certified by Texas Animal Control Association. Tapley held up a thick book of USDA regulations required by the bill which cannot be met in a home environment. McWhorter pointed out that we aren't even required to take our children to the doctor once a year!

Senator John Whitmire laid out his bill and the fun began! Whitmire began with his committee substitute which includes an amendment to provide exemptions for dogs bred to be used exclusively for herding livestock, hunting, including pointing, flushing or retrieving game; or competing in field trials. He said there was no need for testimony from those interests today but that was ignored. Senator Carona felt "show dogs" should be added to the exemptions and said his Mother used to breed show dogs. Whitmire mentioned that Senators Carona and Patrick had questioned why we need more government?

Witnesses who supported the bill spoke first with the usual lineup: Houston SPCA, Texas Veterinary Medical Association, and Texas Humane Legislation Network (THLN). Those who signed up to support but didn't speak included: HSUS' Nicole Paquette, a sundry of THLN members, and Patt Nordyke with Texas Assoc. of Animal Care Services.

Speaking for RPOA were Martine Huslig and Martin Kralik who have been doing a tremendous job working the halls at the Capitol for the past month educating our legislators and leaving them information to read later. This is what surely turned the tide for us because many times the legislators never see the emails, faxes and don't hear the phone calls which are only tallied for them. Personal contact is very important with all the rest to backup their visits and visits from our lobbyists.

It's perceived "votes" that count.

There's no way to cover everything here but Dale Martenson and Maura Phelan captured the attention of Senator Patrick who questioned both extensively.

Senator Patrick said: "This bill makes no sense whatsoever! Where is it coming from?"

Senator Whitmore was a little taken back and insisted he wasn't presenting the bill for "any group" but just himself after Dale Martenson brought up the financial contributions HSUS had made to Representative Thompson.

Dale Martenson laid it all out there for them, including the expose of Della Lindquist, attorney with TX Dept. of Licensing & Regulation, as being an "animal rights" activist who helped write the bill and would be enforcing it. Later Patrick questioned TDLR director William Koontz about Lindquist who responded that was her private life but admitted she did work on the bill. Koontz was unable to answer other questions from Patrick.

Maura Phelan, president of Travis County Kennel Club, former prosecutor for Travis, Harris, Williamson Counties, special prosecutor for Animal Cruelty in Burnet County, Golden Retriever Breeder and Rescuer (phew!) presented a whole new perspective from many angles and was questioned extensively by Senator Patrick who seemed impressed.

Phelan pointed out that the proposed bill rewards snitches which will only lead to harassment by "animal rights" activists. And added that the bill provides less punishment (a misdemeanor) than existing Penal Code 42, the Animal Cruelty Law, which has a fine and jail time. She stressed "probable cause" must be found to enter private property and told of her experience shutting down a bad facility.

The hearing just kept building on great testimony and ended with a big crescendo!

Thanks to all of you who attended today - whether you spoke orjust came to back up other speakers. It's always dangerous to start naming names and by no means is this all of the wonderful presentations made. You must go watch it yourself. See the URL above.

Hear HB 1451 Opponents Roar!!

Another fantastic day adding organizations to the HB 1451 Opposed List!! Many thanks to all for the support of our Texas friends.

American Shetland Sheepdog Association
Samoyed Club of America
German Shepherd Dog Club of America
The American Fox Terrier Club and Rescue
Yorkshire Terrier Club of America, Inc.
Golden Retriever Club of America
Dallas-Fort Worth Metro Golden Retriever Club
The Yorkshire Terrier Club of Greater Houston
Central Florida Dog Hunters and Sportsman Association. Inc.
Fort Worth Kennel Club
Shasta Kennel Club
Northern CA Doberman Rescue
Afghan Hound Club of Austin
Taliemir Memorial Foundation
Yorkshire Terrier Club of Oklahoma City
The Fila Brasileiro Association
Greater San Antonio Yorkshire Terriers Club, Inc.
German Shepherd Dog Club Of San Antonio
California Responsible Pet Owners Coalition
USSPCO - United States Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Others
CAVA- California Animal Voters Alliance
Heart of the Plains Kennel Club
El Paso German Shepherd Dog Club

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

USSA Alert: 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

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

HB 1451 limits my property rights as a Texan

Letter from HB 1451 blog follower:

As a “responsible dog owner and exhibitor” and registered voter, I would like ask for your assistance in opposing House Bill 1451 because it is unconstitutional and is geared to radically limit my property rights as a Texan. I strongly believe that it is my right as an American citizen to have freedom of choice, not mandatory legislation. Additionally, HB 1451 will not improve the welfare of dogs in Texas , but it will hurt responsible breeders like me who strive to raise healthy, well cared-for dogs and work to ensure that these puppies are placed with responsible owners. The expense of complying with the bill will force many responsible breeders to shut down, making it virtually impossible for Texas residents to obtain locally raised purebred dogs.

I was terrible disappointed when I read the following quote from Dr. John Morton who recently ascended to the presidency of Texas Veterinary Medical Association. In supporting passage of the commercial breeder bill, TVMA is “in bed with some people we don't normally get in bed with,” such as the Humane Society of the United States , Morton said. With a grin, he quoted the cliché that politics sometimes makes “an odd bunch of bed fellows.” I guess with this said, Dr Morton wants to eliminate all breeding of dogs and cats! I sincerely hope that Dr. Morton realizes that his backing of HB 1451 will help the Animal Rights groups, including PETA and HSUS who profess to work for improving animal treatment when their ultimate goal is to abolish the following: (1) the breeding and ownership of pets, (2) the raising of farm animals for food, clothing and by products such as ”insulin”, (3) the use of animals in education, preservation, and entertainment, including zoos, aquariums, circuses and rodeos, and (4) all forms of hunting, including field trial and obedience competition, trapping and fishing. The American public needs to realize these organizations appear to be for a “good cause” when, in fact, are in existence only for their own personal gain and agenda - - to eliminate all animals from human use.

This legislation defines a “commercial” breeder as anyone who possesses 11 or more intact females. Simply owning an arbitrary number of intact dogs does not indicate a large-scale breeding operation. This definition may encompass hobby breeders or sportsmen who produce only one or two litters a year. Commercial breeders are already under the jurisdiction of the USDA.

HB 1451 will allow the Health and Human Services Commission to impose additional regulations for breeders. I believe that irresponsible breeders and owners can be successfully addressed using the state’s existing animal cruelty laws. Any additional regulations should be written by officials with extensive animal husbandry knowledge working in consultation with responsible breeders.

Please oppose HB 1451 because it will place unreasonable burdens on responsible owners and breeders and will not improve the welfare of dogs in Texas . The creation of a new bureaucracy to regulate dog breeders who have not proven to be a problem in local communities will result in a ridiculous misuse of state tax dollars not to mention an unprecedented intrusion of personal freedom and privacy. I respectfully request that you instead focus on the enforcement of current cruelty laws and local animal control ordinances, which address the issue of irresponsible ownership without placing unnecessary, arbitrary, and expensive burdens on responsible dog owners and breeders.

I am not a commercial breeder, showing dogs is my hobby! I am respectfully asking you to continue to oppose HB 1451 and protect my property rights and the Constitution by defeating this legislation. Thank you so very much.

Additions to the HB 1451 Opposition List

Emails and letters keep coming in as word spreads to join the Opposition List!

Newest additions:

Alabama Canine Coalition
American Miniature Schnauzer Club
Miniature Pinscher Club of America, Inc.
American Staffordshire Terrier Club of Texas
Austin Shetland Sheepdog Club
Best In Stewards
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Club of Greater Houston
North Carolina Responsible Animal Owners Alliance (NCRAOA)
Professional Canine Breeder's Association
SC Federation of Dog Clubs
Yankee Miniature Pinscher Club, Inc
South Florida Miniature Pinscher Club, Inc.
Hudson Valley Chihuahua Club, Inc.
Toy Dog Club of Western Mass., Inc.
Japanese Chin Club of Greater Houston
Scottish Terrier Cub of Greater Houston
Travis County Kennel Club of Austin, TX

Opposition to HB 1451 grows!!

Join the growing list of organizations and individuals opposed to HB 1451

TEXAS
Animal Owners Association of Texas
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Club of Greater Houston
East Texas Dog Lovers Club
Ellen Davis, Sweetnsassyshihtzues
La-Tex Beagle Club
Lone Star State American Pit Bull Terrier Club
National Wild Turkey Federation--Texas State Chapter
Rose City Beagle Club
South Texas Beagle Club
Southeast Texas Beagle Club
Texas Dog Hunters Association
Texas Wildlife Association
Texoma Beagle Club
Texas Coastal Brittany Club


NATIONAL AND REGIONAL
Alabama Canine Coalition
Amateur Field Trial Clubs of America - Region 7
American Brittany Club, Inc.
American Cooner Magazine
American Dog Breeders Association
American Kennel Club
American Miniature Schnauzer Club
Endangered Breeds Association
Full Cry Magazine
German Shorthair Pointer Club of America, Inc.
Jack Russell Terrier Clubs of America
Masters of Foxhounds Association of North America
National Animal Interest Alliance
National Beagle Club of America
National Cur & Feist Breeders Association
National Hunting Beagle Association
North Carolina Responsible Animal Owners Alliance (NCRAOA)
Professional Canine Breeder's Association
Responsible Pet Owners Alliance
Sportsmen's and Animal Owners' Voting Alliance
United Kennel Club
USSA Sporting Dog Defense Coalition

HB 1451 assigned to committee - call now

Last night HB 1451 was assigned to the Senate Committee on Criminal Justice. Start calling and faxing committee members NOW and tell them you oppose this bill.

CHAIR
Sen. John Whitmire (D-15)
(512) 463-0115
Fax: (512) 475-3737
John.whitmire@senate.state.tx.us

VICE CHAIR
Sen. Joan Huffman (R-17)
(512) 463-0117
Fax: (512) 463-0639
Joan.huffman@senate.state.tx.us

MEMBERS

Sen. John Carona (R-16)
(512) 463-0116
Fax: (512) 463-3135
John.carona@senate.state.tx.us

Sen. Rodney Ellis (D-13)
(512) 463-0113
Fax: (512) 463-0006
Rodney.ellis@senate.state.tx.us

Sen. Glenn Hegar (R-18)
(512) 463-0118
Fax: (512) 475-3736
Glenn.hegar@senate.state.tx.us

Sen. Juan Hinojosa (D-20)
(512) 463-0120
Fax: (512) 463-0229
Juan.hinojosa@senate.state.tx.us

Sen. Dan Patrick (R-7)
(512) 463-0107
Fax: (512) 463-8810
Dan.patrick@senate.state.tx.us

A troubled Texas budget

Senate leaders struggled today for votes on a proposed budget that spends $176.5 billion in all funds over the next two years -- about $12 billion more than the House budget.

“50 facts to know about the Senate’s proposed budget”, compiled by Jason Embry, Statesman.com, provides insight on the details of the proposed budget, services that will be cut, and budget reductions. For example:

• It leaves school districts about $4 billion short of the money that the state would owe them under current law.

• The budget provides for about 235,000 jobs in state government, a decrease of about 5,300.

• It zeroes out the $271 million technology allotment for schools.

• Overall, discretionary state grant programs for public education would be reduced by $863 million — 64 percent. These programs include teacher incentive pay, grants for science labs, teen-parenting life skills and seat belts on school buses.

• The number of state parks in operation would decrease from 92 to 86.

• It zeroes out grants for the development and acquisition of new local parks.

• It eliminates a $7.4 million program that provides grants to improve public facilities and infrastructure in rural communities.

• It cuts $12 million in grants given to local law enforcement agencies for the continued training and education of officers.


With deep cuts to public education, higher education and human services will Texas Senators actually vote to create a $2.6 million dollar Dog Gestapo?

Call your Senator now and oppose HB 1451.

The eyes of Texas animal owners are on the Senate!

TX-RPOA E-News
From RPOA Texas Outreach and Responsible Pet Owners Alliance

Action Alert! The "hot potato" HB 1451 arrived in the Senate but who's to sponsor? The eyes of Texas animal owners are on the Senate!

Time to contact Texas senators and ask them to OPPOSE HB 1451 and do NOT sponsor it. The bill has passed the House; been sent to the Senate but not assigned to a committee. There is no sponsor yet and we want to keep it that way.

HB 1451 is not written to regulate dog and cat breeders in Texas. It is written to eliminate them. The Standards for Care; Confinement and Transportation adopted must meet federal USDA regulations at a minimum. Bill sponsors and proponents know they cannot be met in a home environment.

There is no way that there can be an unbiased advisory committee in Texas to administer the bill provisions because PETA types have infiltrated all levels of government, animal shelters, animal controls, humane societies and some rescue groups.

Recently Della Lindquist, with Texas Dept. of Licensing & Regulation, was exposed to be an Austin "animal rights" activist. This is the department involved in writing and enforcing the bill.

RPOA is networking with many other animal interest groups. The U.S. Sportsmen's Alliance and Sportsmen's & Animal Owners' Voting Alliance are among them. Check out their links below for helpful information.

Sportsmen's & Animal Owners' Voting Alliance (SAOVA) has a link to email ALL the senators with one email.

U.S. Sportsmen's Alliance has an excellent report on the House Members Voting Record on HB 1451. Please note in the link that all the Democratic representatives voted in favor of the bill with the Republican vote divided almost in half.

If not for the power of bill sponsor Rep. Senfronia Thompson (D) who allegedly threatened representatives with killing their bills in her Local & Consent Calendar Committee, we would have killed this bill in the House. But now it's on to the Senate!

Texas House Passes Bill That Treats Sporting Dog Kennels like Puppy Mills

U.S. Sportsmen's Alliance 4/27/11

A bill that could put many sporting dog owners out of existence has been passed by the Texas House of Representatives and is moving to the Senate.

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

Click here to see the list of how Texas Representatives voted.

The bill will now move to the Senate. All sportsmen need to immediately contact their state senators and ask that they oppose House Bill 1451.

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 warrantless searches of all areas where a breeder keeps dogs or maintains records related to their dogs. Even homes are included in this.
•Allowing a commission to set permit fees for breeders that are necessary to pay for administrative costs 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 per year.
•Requiring a commission to establish new, unnecessary standards of care for sporting dog breeders including new enclosure, veterinary, and exercise requirements. These new requirements are not needed and would cause a financial burden on responsible sporting dog breeders.
Unlike Commercial operations, sporting dog kennels and hobby breeders do not typically have a revenue stream to shoulder the cost of high fees, and dramatic costs associated with complying with a bill intended for large scale facilities that exist primarily for the purpose of commerce. More important there have been no findings that justify treating sporting dog kennels and hobby breeders the same as commercial kennels.

Take Action! Texas sportsmen should contact their state senators today and ask them to oppose HB 1451. Tell them the bill unjustly treats sporting dog and hobby breeders as large commercial breeders, allows for warrantless searches of homes, and creates unnecessary, costly new regulations that could put many of these breeders out of existence.

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

http://www.ussportsmen.org/

Definition of Commercial Breeder

What is a large-scale breeder? A vast difference exists between large-scale commercial facilities where breeding and selling animals is a full time occupation and a kennel in which a small number of intact animals is owned and maintained. When current Texas cruelty laws are enforced and dogs from a “large” facility are seized by authorities, details are widely aired by the media. Several large kennel seizures made the news in the past few years. In 2009 over 600 dogs were seized from a substandard kennel in Kaufman County. Yesterday the Dallas News reported a recent raid where 140 dogs were seized. It is logical to assume that the majority of the dogs in either kennel would be female, as the females produce puppies for sale. Even at an unlikely ratio of one female to one male the first kennel would have a minimum of 300 females (28 times the threshold of intact animals cited in HB 1451). The second kennel would have a minimum of 70 females (6.5 times the threshold of intact animals cited in HB 1451).

HB 1451 is part of an organized nationwide campaign by HSUS and has basically nothing to do with actual need in Texas. It is a relentless effort to place government restrictions on hunters and dog breeders until our sport, dogs, and hobbies are regulated out of existence.

Texas House Moves to Strip Rights of Sporting Dog Owners

4/27/2011 U.S. Sportsmen's Alliance
By Rob Sexton, Vice President for Government Affairs

Surely Davy Crockett, Sam Houston and Jim Bowie are rolling over in their graves. It is hard to believe that these patriots in the fight for a free and independent Texas would ever have foreseen that a legislature full of supposed conservatives would vote to permit warrantless searches of the homes of those folks who might sell a few puppies at the end of their driveway. That, however, is exactly what took place yesterday as the Texas House of Representatives voted 98-43 in favor of a bill alleged to be targeting so called puppy mills. Click here to see who voted to take your rights away and to see those that stood up to protect them.

Puppy mill is a media term coined by animal rights groups to bring attention to substandard conditions in some large scale, commercial dog breeding facilities. The dog owners that I know, along with hunters in general, all believe that these places should be operated humanely. But as is often the case with legislation drafted by the animal rights lobby, the net has been cast much wider than large-scale commercial facilities.

That’s why the U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance, the American Kennel Club (AKC), the Texas Wildlife Association, and many other national and local sportsmen’s and dog groups are opposing the bill.

House Bill 1451 classifies you as a commercial breeder if you maintain eleven female dogs that have not been spayed, and you sell dogs. Now, to a lot of urban folks having eleven dogs may seem like a lot. But to a sporting dog kennel owner who uses the animals to chase foxes and coyotes or flush quail, it is not a lot. And if one of these owners sells even just two puppies, then that person opens his house to being searched by the government without cause. Without even so much as a warrant.

No warrant. I guess you can now add the founding fathers to the list of those rolling in their graves.

But that is indeed the case with this bill. The fellow who puts a sign to sell a litter of puppies at the end of his driveway is considered a commercial breeder. The woman who takes out an ad in her local newspaper to sell a few extra Labrador retrievers is to be treated as if she were operating a puppy producing factory. And yet no one has ever made a case that hobby breeders and sporting dog kennels are operating inhumane facilities that would necessitate these restrictions.

This bill is like treating a mom and pop ice cream stand the same as a factory. License fees will be higher, even thousands of dollars. Record keeping requirements must be maintained and be available to the government at any time. Kennel construction and maintenance will be tightly regulated and specifically spelled out by the government. The bill sets up a new unelected board of bureaucrats that is allowed to add any requirement, fee and restriction that it deems necessary. The commission is estimated by the state to cost at least $1.2 million per year, which must be paid by kennel owners. All of these things will run the cost of maintaining a hobby kennel through the roof, and ultimately out of existence.

Currently many sporting dog kennels and hobby breeders maintain the records for their dogs on their home computer. Because, as I keep driving home the point, they are not a large commercial industry. This bill gives inspectors the authority to search the premises where records are kept without probable cause or even a warrant. A suspected drug dealer does not have to worry about government enforcers storming his house without cause, but a dog breeder does? That is simply amazing!

And what is even more amazing? Is that this is taking place in Texas. Not California. Not New York. But in the Republic of Texas. The future home of one of the most restrictive dog kennel requirements in the United States.

House Bill 1451 is now in the Texas Senate. Here’s hoping that the elected officials here will remember their historical predecessors and make sure that this bill is written fairly, and properly targets those abusive commercial operators it claims to be pursuing. Failing that, this bill should be defeated.

To find your state senator’s contact information, visit the USSA Legislative Action Center at http://capwiz.com/ussportsmen/home/

HB 1451 targets hobby breeders

HB 1451 goes beyond all reasonable need for animal welfare and places severe restrictions on dog breeders who are not breeding dogs as a business. The requirements cited in the bill would force many hobby breeders and hunting dog breeders to shut down altogether. Reading the actual bill instead of Rep. Thompson's media version of it might be an education to everyone.

If you are a dog lover, do you want dogs raised in a home setting or in a separate steel and concrete building? Thompson's bill requires federal USDA engineering standards be used for facilities - that means separate buildings, not a breeder's home. How does that benefit anyone? Even more ridiculous is the claim that no cost is attached to the bill. Must be some new math we don't know about.

"Stop Playing Political Football With Our Pets!"

A message from TX-RPOA E-News
From RPOA Texas Outreach and Responsible Pet Owners Alliance
www.rpoatexasoutreach.org

For animal owners, this is the most important Texas Legislative Session in history. RPOA with the help of many other animal interest groups in Texas defeated HSUS and Texas Humane Legislation Network attempts last session to regulate pet ownership out of existence and end all dog and cat breeding in Texas. We defeated Rep. Senfronia Thompson's Anti-Breeding Bill and Senator Leticia Van de Putte's Mandatory Spay/Neuter of all Texas dogs and cats. As expected they are back this session with a vengeance, spreading misinformation and campaign donations by the truckload.

Phone, fax and email your senators. Tell them you OPPOSE these bills

Last November's election clearly demonstrated the public's distaste for politics as usual and the expansion and overreach of government in our everyday lives. These bills must be OPPOSED for the following reasons:

* HB 1451 is in violation of the 4th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, the part of the Bill of Rights that guards against unreasonable searches and seizures and requires a judicially sanctioned warrant supported by probable cause.

* Animals are legally our property in Texas to love, care for and protect from all harm.

* With budget cuts this Session for essential social services, education, nursing homes and children's programs, adding HB 1451's bureaucracy at a cost of $1.3 million and 14.5 new employees (with benefits) is ludicrous.

* HB 1451 duplicates the existing Texas Animal Cruelty Statute which addresses (1) "failure to provide necessary food, water, care, or shelter for an animal in the person's custody." (2) "transports or confines an animal in a cruel manner;" (3) "seriously overworks an animal."

Rep. Thompson and THLN have both been quoted saying that Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) is sympathetic to her bill. So the revelation that Della Lindquist, Assistant General Counsel for TDLR, is an active "animal rights" extremist with Austin's Emancipet comes as no surprise. Their website links to Texas Humane Legislation Network. Lindquist recently visited several dog breeding kennels for TDLR. The extremists have infiltrated all levels of government, animal control departments, humane societies, and the Animal Law Section of Texas State Bar -- making it impossible to have an impartial advisory committee or enforcement team in this state.

HB 1451 has a new committee substitute by Patricia Halsell now simply entitled "The Dog and Cat Breeder Act" and defined as such. No more deceptions about regulating "commercial or high volume" dog and cat breeders! HB 1451 had 10 actions taken last Thursday and 2 actions Friday. We won't bore you with the details but we have Representative David Simpson to thank for objecting to the bill being on the Local and Consent Calendar as it was not "Local" and had opposition which should be debated on the House Floor. However after being "withdrawn from calendar, recommitted to committee, considered in formal hearing with committee substitute and favorably reported, HB 1451 is once again scheduled for consideration on the Local and Consent Calendar Thursday. Ask your representative to remove it from this Calendar once again for a House Floor vote!

Rep. Thompson and THLN have deliberately misled the media and legislators saying this bill does not affect hunting dogs or show/hobby breeders and that there are "no" regulations now on dog and cat breeders. This is not true!

Bill targets 'puppy mills'

Legislation would set limits and require checks
By JOE HOLLEY - AUSTIN BUREAU
April 22, 2011, 6:52AM

AUSTIN — So-called puppy mills and other dog and cat breeding operations would become regulated by the state, required to undergo annual inspections and criminal background checks under a bill that could come before the full House next week.

Rep. Senfronia Thomson's House Bill 1451 would classify dog and cat breeders who have 11 or more unspayed female animals as commercial breeders and require that they be licensed by the state. In addition to background checks and annual inspections, operators would be required to provide wholesome food and clean water, proper lighting and ventilation for animals confined indoors and adequate sanitation.

Supporters said current laws address only extreme cases and make it difficult for animal welfare workers to investigate puppy mills, especially if the operators bar them from their property.

Breeders criticize
Thompson's bill enjoys the support the Humane Society of the United States and the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, but breeders say it would go too far. At a committee hearing last month, dozens of witnesses, many of them breeders, testified that the measure would put them out of business while doing nothing to shut down inhumane operations.

Other breeders criticized the 11-female limit, and some argued that the annual examination and record-keeping requirements would be too expensive.

Hobby breeders would be excluded from regulation.

Thompson, D-Houston, said Thursday that she has continued to work with opponents of the bill during the past couple of months and believes she has addressed their concerns.

"Show dogs, wildlife, herding dogs — it doesn't affect them at all," she said. "If you have 11 intact females, and you're breeding them all at the same time, then you need to be licensed by the state. It's like when somebody cuts hair for free. We don't bother them. But when they start charging for their services, we need to make sure for the sake of public health that they know what they're doing."

Gib Lewis, the former House speaker who testified against the bill on behalf of the Responsible Pet Owners Association, the Texas Wildlife Association and himself, labeled the bill "extremely bad policy." He said Thursday he was opposed to it in part because PETA and other animal rights groups were pushing similar bills in state legislatures across the country.
Full story at link