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
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Friday, May 6, 2011
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
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
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
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
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
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
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.
“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.
Saturday, April 30, 2011
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!
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!
Friday, April 29, 2011
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/
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/
Thursday, April 28, 2011
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.
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.
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