*Update: 3-7-09: We are almost there!*
As you know, the Texas Legislature is meeting. The ADBA has generously offered the EBA Texas Fund a $2500 matching grant. The EBA, ADBA and RPOA is working together to retain a lobbyist and legal counsel to help us keep our dogs legal in the State of Texas. Many bad bills have already been introduced that will cause more APBTs and related breeds to be seized, given up and euthanized.
Here is the summary of the bills filed to date:
http://lsspbc.com/blog/2009/02/06/bills-filed-in-texas-as-of-020609/
Donate NOW via PayPal:
http://lsspbc.com/blog/action-2009/donate-to-the-texas-fund/
Below is the letter in Text form, and I have attached the .pdf version on letterhead. Yup, we are begging for money. The forces who are against our dogs are spending hundreds of thousands of dollars during this legislative session. We need every club and every member of every club (and those who are members of no club too) to donate to the fund in order to reach our goal. I know that times are tough, but if each individual donated even $5-$10, we would make it. Almost everyone has PayPal nowadays and it only takes a minute!
Can you help us between now and when you leave for the convention? Let’s show the ADBA that we are deserving of these funds and have something great to talk about in Vegas! I don’t want to have to tell the Greenwoods that we have only raised like 25 bucks. We can do it! Thank you and God Bless.
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Texas Dog Owners – your dogs need you NOW!
At press time, these bills have been introduced:
- SB 634 — Eliminates any legally acceptable means of tethering and requires a minimum kennel size of 150 SF per dog. Does not allow dogs outside in any fashion during inclement weather.
- HB 458 – Allows your county to limit the number of dogs you may legally own, even if you live in an unincorporated area with no deed restrictions.
- SB 554 and HB 1147 – Defines many common items as dog-fighting paraphernalia.
- HB 925 –Defines a “pit bull” as dangerous enough to prohibit minors from caring for them. This is a breed-specific bill. …..and at press time, these bills are being lobbied but are not yet introduced
- Allowing cities and counties in Texas to pass breed-specific legislation. These cities have passed resolutions stating that they want to be able to ban or restrict certain dog breeds when the state allows them to do so: Frisco, Watauga, Garland, Mesquite, DeSoto, Duncanville, Cedar Hill. In the last two sessions, Houston has tried to pass a state law that would allow Houston and/or Harris County to have BSL. In 2007, Madisonville had passed illegal BSL but removed it. Fort Worth, San Antonio and Hidalgo all have indicated to the news media that they are thinking about passing BSL if state law allows.
- Commercial kennel regulations that include hobby breeders. We have heard of numbers as low as four intact bitches (whether being bred or not).
We are also helping to introduce a bill that allows citizens to appeal seizures in animal cruelty cases. Currently, people are at the mercy of incompetent or biased justices with no right to appeal.
The session only lasts until June 1, so the fight is on NOW.
For the latest on Texas legislation that affects you and how to get involved:
www.LoneStarStatePitBullClub.com
www.lsspbc.com
or call (570) 796-6641
All Texans need to call, write, fax and visit our legislators but unfortunately, this is not enough. It costs money to hire people to advocate for us in Austin and to pay attorneys and expert witnesses.
A fund earmarked for Texas has been set up at the Endangered Breeds Association (EBA). Every penny counts and goes directly to fighting for our rights.
- Donate to the EBA Texas Fund via PayPal at: www.lsspbc.com
or www.endangeredbreedsassociation.org. Indicate “Texas Fund” in the notes.
- Mail checks to: Endangered Breeds Association – Rt. 1, Box 71 Gore, OK 74435. Indicate “Texas Fund” in the check memo.
We thank you and your dogs thank you.
– Lucretia Ashcraft, Laura Dapkus, JoAnne LeBlanc
Your EBA board members from Texas.
on Mar 7th, 2009 at 12:09 am
[...] First, we need funding to compete with the interests that are against our dogs. Here is info on the fundraiser. [...]