This bill is anti-dog especially anti large dog. It is to be heard by the County Affairs Committee
TIME & DATE: 2:00 PM or upon final adjourn./recess
Monday, April 06, 2009
PLACE: E2.016 – Austin at the State Capitol
- TAKE ACTION NOW. Find out who represents you: http://www.fyi.legis.state.tx.us/
HB 1982 Relating to the regulation of dangerous and vicious dogs; providing penalties.
OPPOSE: This bill is breed-specific legislation without being “BSL.” It would allow dogs to be declared “vicious” and face the same sanctions as “dangerous” dogs without ever being at large or causing injury. It also bans any off-lead activities for dogs over 40 lbs. in cities over 1M people.
HB 1982 adds a category to the state dangerous dog law: “Vicious” dog. A dog declared “vicious” would face the same sanctions as a dog declared “dangerous” (generally, a “dangerous” dog makes an unprovoked attack while at large). Under HB 1982, “vicious” means: “…because of the dog ’s physical nature and vicious propensity is capable of inflicting serious bodily injury, as that term is defined by Section 822.001, or death to human beings and constitutes a danger to human life or property…”
HB 1982 allows a dog to be declared vicious without ever leaving its kennel, yard, or other enclosure. Yet, a dog declared vicious would therefore face almost certain euthanasia because few people can comply with the special insurance requirements or afford to pay the impound fees to reclaim the dog.
In addition, HB1982 prohibits dogs over 40 lbs. from being off-lead in cities over one million people. There are no exceptions for legal dog parks, hunting dogs, competitions, search and rescue dogs, etc.
CONTACT THE COUNTY AFFAIRS COMMITTEE MEMBERS NOW
Talking points:
- A new “vicious dog” definition in state law is not necessary. Many cities are already enacting their own dangerous dog laws that are more stringent than the state laws.
- If neighbors are able to have neighbors’ dogs seized for looking and acting intimidating while in their own enclosures, animal control officers could be used as weapons in conflicts that have nothing to do with dogs.
- Many large cities cannot keep up with dogs running at large, without adding calls about dogs that are not loose.
- Under current law, a dog can be put down if it seriously injures a trespasser under the age of eight. HB 1982 seeks to raise the age to 15. Many crimes, even violent ones, are committed by teens under the age of 15, and a dog should not die for trying to protect his master and property.
- The leash requirement is unnecessary, because most cities in Texas already have leash laws. City leash laws usually offer appropriate exemptions for working dogs and sanctioned competitions, while HB 1982 offers no exemptions. This would make it impossible for large cities to attract large dog sport events and the revenue they generate.
- HB 1982 forbids dogs over 40 lbs. from going to legal off-lead dog parks, many of which were organized by large cities to give dogs proper outlets for exercise and socialization. A properly exercised and socialized dog is less likely to have behavior problems such as aggression.
Author: Trey Martinez Fischer, San Antonio
http://www.house.state.tx.us/members/dist116/martinez-fischer.php
Capitol Address:
Room E1.320, Capitol Extension
Austin, TX 78701
(512) 463-0616
(512) 463-4873 Fax
DISTRICT: SAN ANTONIO
COUNTY AFFAIRS COMMITTEE
Clerk: Revlynn Lawson
Phone: (512) 463-0760
Chair: Rep. Garnet Coleman
Vice Chair: Rep. Geanie Morrison
Members:
Rep. Leo Berman
Rep. Valinda Bolton
Rep. Joaquin Castro
Rep. John Davis
Rep. Marisa Marquez
Rep. Ralph Sheffield
Rep. Wayne Smith
Rep. Garnet Coleman (chair)
http://www.house.state.tx.us/members/dist147/coleman.php
Capitol Office: CAP GW.17
Capitol Address: P.O. Box 2910
Austin, TX 78768
Capitol Phone: (512) 463-0524 FAX: (512) 463-1260
DISTRICT: HOUSTON
Rep. Geanie Morrison (Vice Chair)
http://www.house.state.tx.us/members/dist30/morrison.php
Capitol Office: CAP GN.11
Capitol Address: P.O. Box 2910
Austin, TX 78768
Capitol Phone: (512) 463-0456 FAX: (512) 476-3933
DISTRICT: VICTORIA
Rep. Leo Berman
http://www.house.state.tx.us/members/dist6/welcome.htm
Capitol Office: EXT E2.908
Capitol Address: P.O. Box 2910
Austin, TX 78768
Capitol Phone: (512) 463-0584 FAX (512) 463-3217
DISTRICT: TYLER
Rep. Valinda Bolton
http://www.house.state.tx.us/members/dist47/bolton.php
Capitol Office: EXT E2.716
Capitol Address: P.O. Box 2910
Austin, TX 78768
Capitol Phone: (512) 463-0652 FAX (512) 463-0565
DISTRICT: AUSTIN
Rep. Joaquin Castro
http://www.house.state.tx.us/members/dist125/castro.php
Capitol Office: EXT E1.302
Capitol Address: P.O. Box 2910
Austin, TX 78768
Capitol Phone: (512) 463-0669 FAX (512) 463-5074
DISTRICT: SAN ANTONIO
Rep. John E. Davis
http://www.house.state.tx.us/members/dist129/davis.php
Capitol Office: CAP 4S.4
Capitol Address: P.O. Box 2910
Austin, TX 78768
Capitol Phone: (512) 463-0734 FAX (512) 479-6955
DISTRICT: HOUSTON
Rep. Marisa Marquez
http://www.house.state.tx.us/members/dist77/marquez.php
Capitol Office: EXT E2. 704
Capitol Address: P.O. Box 2910
Austin, TX 78768
Capitol Phone: (512) 463-0638 FAX (512) 463-8908
DISTRICT: AUSTIN
Rep. Ralph Sheffield
http://www.house.state.tx.us/members/dist55/sheffield.php
Capitol Office: EXT E1.422
Capitol Address: P.O. Box 2910
Austin, TX 78768
Capitol Phone: (512) 463-0630 FAX (512)322-9054
DISTRICT: AUSTIN
Rep. Wayne Smith
http://www.house.state.tx.us/members/dist128/smith.php
Capitol Office: EXT E2.214
Capitol Address: P.O. Box 2910
Austin, TX 78768
Capitol Phone: (512) 463-0733 FAX (512) 463-1323
DISTRICT: BAYTOWN
on Mar 12th, 2009 at 3:57 am
[...] 1982 Author: Martinez Fischer READ MORE AND TAKE ACTION NOW Last Action: 03/05/2009 H Referred to County Affairs Caption Version: Introduced [...]
on Apr 2nd, 2009 at 6:22 am
[...] http://lsspbc.com/blog/2009/03/09/oppose-hb-1982-bsl-by-another-name/ [...]
on Apr 6th, 2009 at 12:44 pm
THIS IS REDICULOUS!!! Do they absolutely think something like this is going to help? This means no more dog shows, no more sporting events, no more excellent dogs getting titles in Obedience, Agility, Herding, Flyball, Rally, Weight Pulling, Dock Diving, Showmanship, etc. Meaning, Texas is going to loose a LOT of money and a ton of people leaving the state. This law will not work and is rascist against large breeds. This is just as bad as saying a black guy will grow up to be in a gang, maybe we should put laws on them and label them dangerous… Sound stupid, it’s the same as puting a law making large breeds over 40 dangerous. THINK before you make laws like this…
Laws like this do NOT work, period.
on Apr 7th, 2009 at 1:18 am
I oppose this bill. I have a 14 year old Sharpei that would and has never hurt or growled at a stranger.
on Apr 7th, 2009 at 4:06 am
Why should everyone be punished for the stupidity of a few people? I have friends with boxers, bull mastifs, collies, golden retrievers, all are wonderful loving pets. They are not the ones to suffer. Let the people who do not raise their pets corrects pay, not responsible dog owners.
on Apr 9th, 2009 at 3:55 am
It was suggested that we call the office of the author of the bill (Trey Martinez Fischer, San Antonio). I did this. The lady (girl) who answered the phone did not convey concern about my concerns… She did say something like “we are trying to correct” the loopholes (which I’d mentioned). She also claimed I was incorrect about a number of things I’d mentioned that I knew the bill did, and she also mentioned something like (wish I’d recorded this call) there was already a similar law in place. I’m not feeling well and am kinda slow, but wish I’d caught that when she said it, cuz if there is already a similar law in place, why waste the taxpayers money creating a new one. (Yes, I’m sure there are actually reasons…none of them good.) There was an article in a publication in which a lawmaker admitted they push for bills so they can go home and tell their constituents ‘I was busy, so you should vote for me cuz I stay busy and should get a salary for doing something’.
JJ
on Apr 9th, 2009 at 1:16 pm
This is not only Anti-Dog, but Anti-Human. It’s also Anti-American! Who came up with this idea? Cat people? I have a dobbie that weighs about 60 lbs. She’s a small one. Tasha is such a big baby. She is always climbing up on everyone’s lap.All that she wants is love, and she is a big puss. I cannot even imagine this bill passing. What is becoming of our right’s as American’s? what about the right’s of ALL dogs and other living creatures. Today, it’s the larger dogs, tomorrow it will be ALL DOGS!
on Apr 10th, 2009 at 8:23 am
I am absolutely dumb-founded by the ignorance of people. I too have been in astonishment at the violation of my civil rights as a dog owner of a Staffordshire, the biggest baby and loving dog I have ever owned. Yes, he gets an attitude with vacuums, lawn mowers, trash trucks and all the things most dogs go crazy about. I read an article yesterday in which some poor ignorant person compared the owning of a so called vicious dog by a 21 or younger person to that of the hand gun laws not allowing a 21 or younger to own a gun. What?? Have you ever heard of a drive by dog biting? I haven’t.
I am applauded that these people want me to pay more for registration of a dog that is deemed vicious because of his breed. That is simply bigotry toward all large breeds. If bigotry toward people is frowned upon, why is it accepted toward certain breeds of dogs. I am not partial to cats…lets charge more for them or ban them all together. Makes as much sense to me as this bill. The news media has played a huge roll in making this and keeping this issue more than it actually is.
At what point is government intervention gone just to far? I say this is that point!!! Stop it now while we still have some say in our own lives!! Write your representatives. All of them, including the idiot who proposed this bill. I have already done it and will do so everyday until this is crushed in congress!
on Apr 29th, 2009 at 10:53 am
the bill is currently pending in committee. this is the time that all concerned citizens need to contact the committee members and their representatives (writing is better than a phone call, but either are helpful) to let them know that they oppose the bill, and that it should not even be allowed out of committee, much less pass a floor vote. please encourage all fellow dog owners and dog lovers to express their concern over this bill.