[ SHOWGSD-L ] AKC<>Texas Committee to Hear Problematic Dangerous Dog Bill on April 6

From: stormy435 <stormy435@xxxxxxx>
To: "showgsd-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx" <showgsd-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Date: Fri, 03 Apr 2009 13:22:31 -0700
http://www.akc.org/news/index.cfm?article_id799
Texas Committee to Hear Problematic Dangerous Dog Bill on April 6
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[Friday, April 03, 2009]

On Monday April 6, The Texas House County Affairs Committee will hold a hearing 
on House Bill 1982, a measure that would impose numerous new restrictions on 
dog owners and offer only vague definitions of the term "vicious dog".

The American Kennel Club supports reasonable, enforceable, non-discriminatory 
laws to govern the ownership of dogs. The AKC also believes that dog owners 
should be responsible for their dogs. Many of the provisions in HB 1982, 
however, are unnecessary and vague. This legislation would unreasonably impact 
many responsible dog owners.

AKC has many concerns with HB 1982, including, but not limited to:

    * Vague definitions of "vicious dog", including a dog that "because of the 
dog's physical nature and vicious propensity is capable of inflicting serious 
bodily injury?" The AKC supports laws that establish a fair process by which 
specific dogs are identified as "dangerous" based on stated, measurable 
actions. The language in HB 1982 implies that dogs are by nature vicious and 
would likely result in unfairly labeling dogs that have not caused harm.

    * Limitations on ownership of "vicious" dogs, including requiring someone 
to be at least 21 years old to own a "vicious" dog. It also includes 
prohibitions on allowing vicious dogs in public parks or schools, even on a 
leash. The AKC supports laws that establish a well-defined method for dealing 
with dogs proven to be dangerous. The vague definitions in HB 1982, however, 
would likely result in limitations on responsible owners with well-behaved dogs.

    * Requirements that all residents of a city with a population of 1 million 
or more people keep any dog that weighs over 40 pounds on a leash in immediate 
control of a person, or kept inside a residence or a secure enclosure. The AKC 
believes all dog owners should be responsible for their dogs and comply with 
local animal control laws. Basic leash, nuisance, and animal control laws 
should apply to all dogs, regardless of size.

 

How You Can Help

    * Attend the House County Affairs Committee hearing on Monday, April 6. Ask 
the committee to oppose House Bill 1982. The hearing information is as follows:

      Texas House County Affairs Committee
      Monday, April 6, 2009
      2:00 p.m.
      Room E2.130
      Texas State Capitol
      N. Congress Avenue (between 11th and 15th Streets)
      Austin, Texas

    * If you are unable to attend the hearing, contact the members of the 
County Affairs Committee and ask them to oppose House Bill 1982. The contact 
information is as follows:

      Representative Garnet Coleman (Chair)
      Phone: (512) 463-0524
      Fax: (512) 463-1260
      Click here to send an e-mail to Representative Coleman

      Representative Geanie Morrison (Vice-Chair)
      Phone: (512) 463-0456
      Fax: (512) 476-3933
      Click here to send an e-mail to Representative Morrison

      Representative Leo Berman
      Phone: (512) 463-0584
      Fax: (512) 463-3217
      Click here to send an e-mail to Representative Berman

      Representative Valinda Bolton
      Phone: (512) 463-0652
      Fax: (512) 463-0565
      Click here to send an e-mail to Representative Bolton

      Representative Joaquin Castro
      Phone: (512) 463-0669
      Fax: (512) 463-5074
      Click here to send an e-mail to Representative Castro

      Representative John Davis
      Phone: (512) 463-0734
      Fax: (512) 479-6955
      Click here to send an e-mail to Representative Davis

      Representative Marisa Marquez
      Phone: (512) 463-0638
      Fax: (512) 463-8908
      Click here to send an e-mail to Representative Marquez

      Representative Ralph Sheffield
      Phone: (512) 463-0630
      Fax: (512) 322-9054
      Click here to send an e-mail to Representative Sheffield

      Representative Wayne Smith
      Phone: (512) 463-0733
      Fax: (512) 463-1323
      Click here to send an e-mail to Representative Smith

    

 
--
Stormy Hope
www.carpoc.org
AKC Legislative Liaison, GSDCA
Sunshine Squad <showgsd.org/sunshine.html)
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[ SHOWGSD-L ] AKC<>Texas Committee to Hear Problematic Dangerous Dog Bill on April 6

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