[ SHOWGSD-L ] Re: TEXAS....Hearing Tuesday March 15th on TX Breeder Bill

  • From: "Carolyn Martello" <marhaven@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
  • To: <Stormy435@xxxxxxx>, "showgsd-l List" <showgsd-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
  • Date: Sat, 12 Mar 2011 09:10:35 -0800

GREAT JOB Stormy!!!
I don't know if it is as effective..........but having the individual e-mails 
always helps me
personally to respond quicker and better.
Ya try to call on some of these.......you get no one...you try again...lines 
busy...again...and
then you get busy and don't get it done.
When they have easy methods to contact representatives.... I forward them on to 
other Clubs 
other Breeders and ask them to forward them on to All Breed Clubs also.

Thanks for your efforts!


Carolyn    marhaven@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
www.Marhaven.com

  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Stormy Hope To: showgsd-l List Sent: Friday, March 11, 2011 9:09 AM
  Subject: [ SHOWGSD-L ] TX AKC<>Hearing Tuesday March 15th on TX Breeder Bill



  House Bill 1451 which will define and regulate breeders of dogs and  cats 
will be heard in the
   House Committee on Licensing and  Administrative Procedures on Tuesday, 
March 15th. 
  Because the author  is preparing extensive amendments and plans to introduce 
a substitute  
  bill, no vote will be taken at this hearing. Responsible dog breeders  are 
encouraged to attend
   the public hearing or contact the committee  and the author?s office with 
their specific and 
  respectful comments on  the bill.

  As introduced, HB 1451 defines a commercial breeder as anyone who owns  
  eleven intact female animals (dogs and cats) and is engaged in the  
  business of breeding animals for direct or indirect sale. The bill  
  requires inspections of private property without any proof of animal  
  neglect or cruelty, and breeders will be charged unspecified fees for  
  their license.

  The American Kennel Club strongly supports humane treatment of dogs,  
  including an adequate and nutritious diet, clean water, clean living  
  conditions, regular veterinary care, kind and responsive human  
  companionship, and training in appropriate behavior. The AKC also  
  supports reasonable and enforceable laws that protect the welfare and  
  health of purebred dogs and do not restrict the rights of breeders and  
  owners who take their responsibilities seriously.

  House Committee on Licensing and Administrative Procedure Hearing
  Tuesday, March 15, 2011
  8am
  State Capitol Room E2-012

  Additional provisions of the bill as drafted include:
  ? Requires an annual unannounced inspection of a breeder?s property.  
  The low thresholds in the bill mean that small breeders will be  
  included, many of whom may not have regular business hours. It is  
  unclear what would happen if an inspector arrived and the owner was  
  unavailable.

  ? Inspections can be conducted by third-party designees, including  
  local animal control officers and contract employees. Although the  
  bill says the state ?may? provide training to these inspectors, it  
  does not mandate it. This creates the possibility that rules may not  
  be equitably applied and that some inspectors may have little to no  
  experience in animal husbandry.

  ? Fees are not specified in the bill although the measure says they  
  should cover the cost of establishing an inspections program, possible  
  training for inspectors, and paying for the time and travel necessary  
  to conduct inspections. It is possible that a tiered licensing  
  schedule will be established based on the number of dogs owned, but  
  the cost is likely to be excessive for someone who breeds only a few  
  litters per year.

  ? The bill will limit breeders to 50 intact females unless the  
  breeder submits a special application and complies with any additional  
  requirements developed in the regulation process.

  ? Requires breeders undergo a criminal background check. AKC believes  
  that it is appropriate to ensure that licenses are not provided to  
  those who have animal cruelty violations, but that including unrelated  
  offenses that have no bearing on the fitness of a dog breeder is  
  unreasonable. This will also be an additional financial burden on the  
  applicant who will likely bear the cost of the background check.

  ? Establishes a public database of licensees and disciplinary  
  actions. The thresholds in this bill are so low as to include many  
  breeders who breed in their homes. It is unreasonable for a small  
  breeder to be required to post their name, address and other personal  
  information on a public registry.

  ? Establishes the ?Commercial Breeder Enforcement Enhancement &  
  Training Fund? which may offer rewards for information leading to  
  disciplinary action. This incentivizes frivolous reports of  
  insignificant violations and will create a burden for inspectors and  
  for the breeders who must fund the program. The bill does not address  
  who pays the costs if a breeder is found innocent of allegations.

  ? Regulations would be written and enforced by the Texas Commission  
  of Licensing and Regulation. AKC is concerned that none of the  
  commissioners has a background in agriculture or animal husbandry. We  
  believe that it is vital that stakeholders, including responsible  
  breeders, be involved in the drafting of regulations governing  
  responsible animal ownership and breeding.

  What You Can Do
  ? Responsible owners and breeders in Texas are encouraged to contact  
  the members of the House Committee on Licensing and Administrative  
  Procedures.

  Rep. Mike Hamilton, Chair
  mike.hamilton@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
  Phone: (512) 463-0412
  Fax: (512) 463-1915

  Rep. Chente Quintanilla, Vice Chair
  chente.quintanilla@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
  Phone: (512) 463-0613
  Fax: (512) 463-1237

  Rep. Joe Driver
  Joe.driver@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
  Phone: (512) 463-0574
  Fax: (512) 463-1481

  Rep. Charlie Geren
  Charlie.geren@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
  Phone: (512) 463-0610
  Fax: (512) 463-8310

  Rep. Roland Gutierrez
  roland.gutierrez@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
  Phone: (512) 463-0452
  Fax: (512) 463-1447

  Rep. Patricia Harless
  patricia.harless@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
  Phone: (512) 463-0496
  Fax: (512) 463-1507

  Rep. John Kuempel
  john.kuempel@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
  Phone: (512) 463-0602
  Fax: (512) 480-0391

  Rep. Jose Menendez
  jose.menendez@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
  Phone: (512) 463-0634
  Fax: (512) 463-7668

  Rep. Senfronia Thompson
  senfronia.thompson@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
  Phone: (512) 463-0720
  Fax: (512) 463-6306


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  The American Kennel Club, 8051 Arco Corporate Dr. Suite 100, Raleigh,  
  NC 27617 United 
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  • » [ SHOWGSD-L ] Re: TEXAS....Hearing Tuesday March 15th on TX Breeder Bill - Carolyn Martello