Texas -

New legislation pending in the Texas House of Representatives could cause severe harm to sporting dog owners and breeders throughout the state.

The bill, HB 3180, was introduced on March 18, 2009 by State Representative Senfronia Thompson (D- Houston).  Like many puppy mill bills around the country, HB 3180 does not adequately distinguish sporting dog breeders from commercial breeders that mass produce animals for retail sale.  In addition, the bill puts an arbitrary cap on the number of intact dogs that can be own. 

The low threshold for being classified as a commercial breeder will easily ensnare many sporting dog breeders in new regulations intended for large scale commercial breeders, commonly referred to as “puppy mills.”

If caught up, sporting dog kennels would be subject to a bevy of new laws and regulations that could easily put them out of business including extensive record keeping, kennels construction, sanitization, exercise and staffing mandates.

HB 3180 has been scheduled for a hearing at 8 am on Wednesday, April 1, 2009, before the House Licensing & Administrative Procedures Committee.  The meeting will be held in the Capitol Bldg. Extension – Room E2.016. 

Take Action! Texas sportsmen and sporting dog owners who are able need to attend tomorrow’s hearing to voice their opposition to this dangerous legislation.

Those who are unable to attend the hearing should contact their state representatives today and urge them to oppose this measure.

To find your state representative’s phone number, please use the Legislative Action Center.

For more information regarding the U.S. Sportsmen’s Alert Network, call 614-888-4868, or email Greg R. Lawson, director of communications at glawson@ussportsmen.org or Sharon Hayden, assistant director of communications at shayden@ussportsmen.org.

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