EAST TEXAS HOG DOGGERS FORUM

http://thenewtdha.com/smf1.5/index.php?topic=635.0

check it out folks, and make those calls or write those emails.  This bill states that a dog doesn't even have to harm someone, doesn't even have to be off it's property if i read it right to be considered vicious or dangerous.  Unless I'm mistaken, you could have to surrender your dog if it growled through a fence at somebody. 

 i just sent my email to Representative Ralph Sheffield,, he is ours for  part of the bell county folks
          Dexter

Made a call to Morrison's office. Also called friends to spread the word.

 Why this Bill should be OPPOSED:
>
> 
>
> 1.         This bill would allow for declaring a
> dog vicious based on its “physical nature.” That is an
> attempt to target breeds of dogs and is breed specific
> legislation by a different name. This determination could be
> made with no regard for the dog’s actual temperament or
> history.
>
> 2.         This bill would allow for a dog to be
> declared vicious based on things it allegedly does in its
> own e
> nclosure without the dog ever getting out. This law would
> punish people who contain their dogs in an enclosure and
> yet, this is exactly what we want them to do instead of
> letting the dogs run loose.
>
> 3.         The bill would allow the unfair
> targeting of dogs that have not done anything other that
> perhaps bark at the fence to be declared vicious which
> subjects the owner to the same requirement as owners of
> dangerous dogs that have bitten someone and caused injury.
>
> 4.         Dangerous dog cases are often more about
> the relationships of neighbors than about dogs. This bill
> would allow a neighbor to say he or she is fearful that a
> fenced dog might get out or that it might cause them injury
> for a dog that is contained within an enclosure. This is a
> subjective standard that is fraught with possibility for
> unfairness.
>
> 5.         Requiring that owners of dogs weighing
> 40 pounds or more to have a secure enclosure for their pets
> is tantamount to saying that all such dogs are dangerous and
> should be treated as if they have been declared dangerous
> without them ever doing anything. "Secure
> enclosures" by state law are those for dogs already
> declared dangerous.  This would mean that these dog owners
> would have to construct a "secure enclosure" for
> dogs that have never done one thing. Here is what a
> "secure enclosure" means that all owners of dogs
> 40 pounds and over would have to comply with:
>   
>                     
> (4)  "Secure enclosure" means a fenced area or
> structure that is:
>
> (A)  locked;
>
> (B)  capable of preventing the entry of the general
> public, including children;
>
> (C)  capable of preventing the escape or release of a
> dog;
>
> (D)  clearly marked as containing a dangerous dog; and
>
> (E)  in conformance with the requirements for enclosures
> established by the local animal control authority.
>
>
> So, if you have to put a sign saying DANGEROUS DOG on your
> fence for your dog despite that it has done NOTHING. AND,
> you have to comply with local requirements for "secure
> enclosures." Some local requirements include enclosures
> with tops, concrete flooring, and size requirements. AGAIN,
> I know this sounds crazy, but this is for ALL dogs weighing
> 40 pounds or more. This law would be unfairly enforced
> against dogs like American Pit Bull Terriers, Rotties,
> Akitas, German Shepherd Dogs, Dobies, Huskies, Malamutes,
> Mastiffs, Chow-Chows, etc.
> 6.         Requiring 40 pound dogs or over to
> always be on a leash in the immediate control of a person,
> in a residence or in a secure enclosure, prevents those dogs
> from ever going to a dog park or participating in events
> that are off lead or allow the dog to be separate from the
> handler which include tracking (dogs are on leads up to
> 30’ in length), search & rescue efforts (dogs on long
> leads and move ahead of20handler), herding, hunting, and
> being used as working dogs and police dogs. Most dogs used
> in all of these activities are over 40 pounds.
> 7.         This bill would prohibit hunters from
> using a dog that is 40 pounds or over. Hunting dogs are
> typically over 40 pounds and include all sorts of dogs.
> 8.         This bill is way too restrictive and
> vague and needs to be defeated in its entirety. Our laws are
> strong enough. Current law provides that if your dog makes
> an unprovoked act  while outside it enclosure that someone
> says put them in fear of being injured, your dog can already
> be declared dangerous even if it did not bite, scratch or
> even touch someone. It is a subjective standard.
>
> 
>
> FAX & CALL. Email is not a good way to communicate and
> some of them are blocking it now.
>
> 
>
> Be sure to put:  OPPOSED TO HB 1982 or VOTE NO ON HB 1982
> in bold, large letters as your subject title.
>
> 
>
> Bill’s Author: Trey Martinez Fischer, San Antonio
> (512) 463-0616
> (512) 463-4873 Fax
>
>
> COUNTY AFFAIRS COMMITTEE
>
> Clerk:  Revlynn Lawson
> Phone: (512) 463-0760
>
> The Capitol Address for ALL Representatives:
>
> PO Box 2910, Austin, Texas 78768
>
> Rep. Garnet Coleman (chair)
> http://www.house.state.tx.us/members/dist147/coleman.php
> Capitol Phone: (512) 463-0524 FAX: (512) 463-1260
> Rep. Geanie Morrison (Vice Chair)
> http://www.house.state.tx.us/members/dist30/morrison.php
> Capitol Phone: (512) 463-0456  FAX:  (512) 476-3933
> 0ARep. Leo Berman
> http://www.house.state.tx.us/members/dist6/welcome.htm
> Capitol Phone: (512) 463-0584    FAX (512) 463-3217
> Rep. Valinda Bolton
> http://www.house.state.tx.us/members/dist47/bolton.php
> Capitol Phone: (512) 463-0652   FAX (512) 463-0565
> Rep. Joaquin Castro
> http://www.house.state.tx.us/members/dist125/castro.php
> Capitol Phone: (512) 463-0669   FAX (512) 463-5074
> Rep. John E. Davis
> http://www.house.state.tx.us/members/dist129/davis.php
> Capitol Phone: (512) 463-0734   FAX (512) 479-6955
> Rep. Marisa Marquez
> http://www.house.state.tx.us/members/dist77/marquez.php
> Capitol Phone: (512) 463-0638    FAX (512) 463-8908
> Rep. Ralph Sheffield
> http://www.house.state.tx.us/members/dist55/sheffield.php
> Capitol Phone: (512) 463-0630  FAX (512)322-9054
> Rep. Wayne Smith
> http://www.house.state.tx.us/members/dist128/smith.php
> Capitol Phone: (512) 463-0733   FAX  (512) 463-1323

makes you wonder,, where they come up with the silly ideals, seem like they should have better things to do down at the state house..
 you know write some bill that would give teachers better pay, better schools,better special ed programs,and not to mention the ever ending crumpling of the infrastructures road bridges  and such by the time they finich on so called expansion it is outdated,, then we have problems like water quality and  quanity.. and no to mention the prison systems that are failing and over flooded, o thats right immagration....... i could go on
 these  so call elected offcals dont get it  spend or tax dollars to build a better Texas not a suppressed TEXAS

 TEXANS STAND UP VE HEARD COUNTED AND PLEASE VOTE

  this rant was  brought to you by
  Dexter
 Skip a rope catahoulas
forget the rope,, unleash the dogs

Sorry to send out another alert, we need to be as much action on this bill as on the MSN and breeder bills. This is very serious. We have had two dog-related fatalities this week and another mauling in the San Antonio area that have made the news and the news media is saying that this bill will protect the public from those kind of attacks (it won't). I have BCC'd a lot of people on this message who represent groups that typically own "big" or "scary looking" dogs. ANY of us could have our dogs taken away in the blink of an eye even though we follow all the rules.

The response from the dog community, I am sorry to say, is underwhelming given the gravity of the situation.

I am planning to go to Austin but if it's just three of us vs. about 50 dog bite lawyers and dog bite victims families the three of us are WASTING OUR TIME. We will be leaving our clients and businesses behind just get our butts handed to us.

We need people to show up in Austin on Monday.  If people cannot go in person we need phone calls and faxes.

So is anyone going? I need to know. I am sorry to sound like a big whiner here but I am pretty out of steam.

Thanks,
-Laura
214-325-0015

folks dont take this lightly act now while yo still have the chance it  is painless to call or e-mail your state rep.
         DEXTER
 BTT!!

BTT!!