Introduced by: Author: Dutton — Houston/ Harris County
http://www.house.state.tx.us/members/dist142/dutton.php
Capitol Office: CAP 3N.5
Capitol Address: P.O. Box 2910
Austin, TX 78768
Capitol Phone: (512) 463-0510
District Address: 8799 N. Loop East, Suite 305
Houston, TX 77029
District Phone: (713) 692-9192
Relating to the handling of or caring for a pit bull breed of dog by certain minors; providing penalties.
(b) A minor who is 15 years of age or younger may not handle or care for a pit bull breed of dog without adult supervision.
(c) The owner of a pit bull breed of dog who allows a minor who is 15 years of age or younger to handle or care for the dog without adult supervision is liable for damages for death or bodily injury to a person that occurs while the dog is handled or cared for by the minor.
- Breed-specific laws are difficult to enforce because many other breeds and mixes are easily confused with “pit bulls.”
- Any dog can be dangerous in the wrong hands.
- If a city is having problem with thugs using dogs to intimidate people, local governments can already use truancy laws, loitering laws, anti-gang laws and curfews to address the situation. Local governments can also make laws pertaining to minors handling dogs in public and they should apply to all dogs equally.
- If a 14-year old is carrying a baseball bat to baseball practice, it’s not a crime. If the same 14-year old uses the bat to threaten someone, he -is- committing a crime. The overwhelming majority of teens and adults do not use dogs to threaten people.
- City ordinances can and do spell out that parents are liable for damages when a minor is handling a dangerous dog, regardless of breed.
Call, Fax or Write to the State Affairs Committee, especially if you live in any of their districts. If you live in their districts, please say so. Write or say “OPPOSE HB 925“. Be polite, respectful and brief in your comments.
Find out who represents you: http://www.fyi.legis.state.tx.us/
Contact info for members:
House State Affairs Committee
Clerk: Lesley French
Phone: (512) 463-0814
Room: EXT E2.108
Rep. Burt Solomons (Chair)
http://www.house.state.tx.us/members/dist65/solomons.php
Capitol Office: EXT E1.420
Capitol Address: P.O. Box 2910
Austin, TX 78768
Capitol Phone: (512) 463-0478
(512) 463-2089 Fax
DISTRICT: Carrollton
Rep. Jose Menedez (Vice Chair)
http://www.house.state.tx.us/members/dist124/menendez.php
Room EXT E2.204
P.O. Box 2910
Austin, TX 78768
(512) 463-0634
(512) 463-7668 Fax
DISTRICT: San Antonio
Rep. Byron Cook
http://www.house.state.tx.us/members/dist8/welcome.htm
Capitol Office: EXT E2.508
Capitol Address: P.O. Box 2910
Austin, TX 78768
Capitol Phone: (512) 463-0730
(512) 463-2506 Fax
DISTRICT: Austin
Rep. Tom Craddick
http://www.house.state.tx.us/members/dist82/welcome.htm
Capitol Office: CAP 1N.10
Capitol Address: P.O. Box 2910
Austin, TX 78768
Capitol Phone: (512) 463-0500
(512) 463-7722 Fax
DISTRICT: Midland
Rep. David Farabee
http://www.house.state.tx.us/members/dist69/welcome.htm
Capitol Office: EXT E2.422
Capitol Address: P.O. Box 2910
Austin, TX 78768
Capitol Phone: (512) 463-0534
(512) 463-8161 Fax
DISTRICT: Wichita Falls
Rep. Pete Gallego
http://www.house.state.tx.us/members/dist74/gallego.php
Capitol Office: CAP 4N.9
Capitol Address: P.O. Box 2910
Austin, TX 78768
Capitol Phone: (512) 463-0566
(512) 236-9408 Fax
DISTRICT: Alpine
Rep. Charlie Geren
http://www.house.state.tx.us/members/dist99/welcome.htm
Capitol Office: EXT E2.308
Capitol Address: P.O. Box 2910
Austin, TX 78768
Capitol Phone: (512) 463-0610
(512) 463-8310 Fax
DISTRICT: RIver Oaks
Rep. Patricia Harless
http://www.house.state.tx.us/members/dist126/welcome.htm
Capitol Office: EXT E2.714
Capitol Address: P.O. Box 2910
Austin, TX 78768
Capitol Phone: (512) 463-0496
(512) 463-1507 Fax
DISTRICT: Spring
Rep. Harvey Hilderbran
http://www.house.state.tx.us/members/dist53/welcome.htm
Capitol Office: CAP GW.12
Capitol Address: P.O. Box 2910
Austin, TX 78768
Capitol Phone: (512) 463-0536
(512) 463-1449 Fax
DISTRICT: Kerrville
Rep. Delwin Jones
http://www.house.state.tx.us/members/dist83/welcome.htm
Capitol Office: CAP 3S.2
Capitol Address: P.O. Box 2910
Austin, TX 78768
Capitol Phone: (512) 463-0542
(512) 463-0671 Fax
DISTRICT: Lubbock
Rep. Eddie Lucio III
http://www.house.state.tx.us/members/dist38/lucio.php
Capitol Office: EXT E1.318
Capitol Address: P.O. Box 2910
Austin, TX 78768
Capitol Phone: (512) 463-0606
(512) 463-0660 Fax
DISTRICT: San Benito
Rep. Diana Maldonado
http://www.house.state.tx.us/members/dist52/welcome.htm
Capitol Office: EXT E2.802
Capitol Address: P.O. Box 2910
Austin, TX 78768
Capitol Phone: (512) 463-0670
(512) 463-1469 Fax
DISTRICT: Round Rock
Rep. Rene Oliveira
http://www.house.state.tx.us/members/dist37/welcome.htm
Capitol Office: CAP 4N.10
Capitol Address: P.O. Box 2910
Austin, TX 78768
(512) 463-0640
(512) 463-8186 Fax
DISTRICT: Brownsville
Rep. David Swinford
http://www.house.state.tx.us/members/dist87/welcome.htm
Capitol Office: CAP 4N.3
Capitol Address: P.O. Box 2910
Austin, TX 78768
Capitol Phone: (512) 463-0470
(512) 463-8003 Fax
DISTRICT: Amarillo
Rep. Sylvester Turner
http://www.house.state.tx.us/members/dist139/welcome.htm
Capitol Office: CAP 1W.6
Capitol Address: P.O. Box 2910
Austin, TX 78768
Capitol Phone: (512) 463-0554
(512) 463-8380 Fax
DISTRICT: Houston
on Mar 10th, 2009 at 7:07 pm
[...] 925 Author: Dutton – READ MORE AND TAKE ACTION NOW Last Action: 02/23/2009 H Referred to State Affairs Caption Version: Introduced [...]
on Mar 29th, 2009 at 11:04 pm
[...] congratulate State Rep. Harold Dutton for receiving recognition for his breed-specific bill. It’s silly. It’s unnecessary. It singles out people and animals based on [...]
on Mar 30th, 2009 at 8:41 am
Congratulations! What congratulations, there is no need to give praise for being a racist. Yes, I said a racist. If you people think this will stop here you are wrong. Next they will want to pass a bill on cocker spaniels because they are one of the leading dogs to bite people.These dogs are a loving and loyal breed. These dogs want nothing more than your love. This breed is the most stereotyped I’ve ever seen. Educate yourself people on this breed. Any dog shape or size can bite or attack, in fact most bites occur from smaller breeds you just never here about it. The media is as much to blame as all people who do not understand this animal. You never here the media break in on the news for any other dog bite/attack unless it’s a pit bull. The reason for this is to me ignorance! We should wake up people and not banned or condem this bred based on fear alone. What your congressman should be doing is making tougher laws for people who do not take proper care of /or maintain these animals surroundings. Not all of this breed is bad, just like not all people are bad regardless of your color or race. The same constitutional rights that we have this breed should also have. I ask all of you to not judge this breed based on what the media says or anyone else, but instead on what you have experienced yourself. This is a rule we all know but don’t follow. Treat others as you want to be treated. All this breed wants is a chance and your love. Most pit bulls you see on tv or that atack people are not a full breed but a mix. We need to educate the public to not be afraid if they see any dog or breed walking down the street. I hope you all will come to understand that pits don’t kill people, but ignorant people and owners do!