TXFACS Legislation

Summary and Disposition of Bills

The very few bills that were beneficial to animals:

SB 554 /HB 1147 – A bill to allow dog fighting to be classified as organized crime and additionally allows for the forfeiture of all property including cash, vehicles, etc. associated with dog fighting – Passed

HB 836 – A bill relating to sport hunting of feral hogs by helicopter – Failed

HB 1500 – A bill that would allow hunting, trapping and capture of reptiles, amphibians and insects from public roads or right of ways – Failed

HB 3117 – A bill relating to the possession, custody, or control of a bobcat, cougar, or coyote – Failed

The Bad Bills that passed were:

SB 408 (amendment) amends the current civil seizure statute to give the animal owner an appeal from the justice court order dispossessing the owner of ownership in the animal - Passed (HB1046 was the original bill in the House where it failed, but the language of 1046 was attached to SB 408 as an amendment – which passed)

This means shelters will have to hold animals longer when there is a seizure. This will cause euthanasia of healthy adoptable animals already in shelters as the space will be needed to make room for the seized animals. This could ultimately cut down on the number of animals removed from life-threatening, deplorable conditions.

Bills that TFACS Supported are listed below with comments. The organizations that opposed these bills can in no way have the best interest of animals as their motivation.

HB 853 - A bill to include companion animals in domestic violence protective orders - Failed

The good news is that this bill successfully passed both chambers. However, toward the end of session, the House and Senate accused each other of purposefully slow-tracking legislation originating in the other chamber. This bill was caught in the middle of the argument and died. However, since this bill successfully passed both chambers and only died while in conference committee the chances of this bill becoming law next session are high.

HB 1320 - A bill to strengthen existing cockfighting laws - Failed

This will allow “supposed” animal lovers to continue to allow game birds to be ripped to shreds in animal fights all in the name of “sport”.

HB 3180 - A bill to regulate puppy mills and pet sales – Failed

This bill was passed in the House but got no further and so sick puppies will continue to be sold and breeding stock will continue to suffer in deplorable conditions for at least another two years.

SB 634 – A bill relating to the unlawful restraint of a dog – Failed

This bill would have cleared the ambiguity in the current tethering bill and made the law enforceable. The terms “cage” and “kennel” were used when the opposition was opposing this bill though the bill clearly states “enclosure”, defined in the dictionary as a fence or wall. There was an exemption for hunters but, they protested anyway and a Texas group renowned for their distortions came out with the statement that “you will not be able to leave your dogs in your yard when you go to work”. We ask that in 2009 and 2010 if you have a case in your area where someone is injured, maimed or killed by a tethered dog in Texas that you please send us the information. With the permission of the family involved we will have a “Wall of Shame” that lists these incidents and lays the blame on the doorstep of the opposition groups.

SB 1845 – A bill relating to the sterilization of dogs and cats; providing a penalty - Failed

This bill addressed the fact that irresponsible pet owners will not have their animals neutered and they contribute to the pet overpopulation. This bill DID NOT mandate that you have your pet neutered; it gave an option of paying a fee if you preferred to keep your animal intact. Senator Van de Putte’s staff worked very hard on this bill and believed in it, but the ranting of irresponsible breeders and other radical groups prevented it from ever having a hearing. So shelters will continue to euthanize 26,000 to 40,000 animals a year in many cities in Texas all in the name of “property rights”. Municipalities will continue to spend more and more money housing the overpopulation of animals all under the mantra “you can’t tell me what to do with my property”.

Legislation