HB 998 will require $100,000.00 worth in surance for anybody owning a Male dog over 20lbs if not neutered along with many other things.
Legislation that would devastate the sporting dog community in Texas continues to pile up.
House Bills 998, 1451, and 2116 would enact severe restrictions on sporting dog owners and could force many respectable sporting dog kennels and breeders out of existence.
House Bill 998: Texas dog owners, and sportsmen nationwide, are already aware that this is a very dangerous bill. In fact, the bill received such a strong outpouring of opposition following its introduction that Fox News and many local news outlets all carried the story. The measure, introduced by Rep. Ruth McClendon (D- San Antonio), would require owners of unneutered male dogs weighing 20 or more pounds, that are not restrained at all times, to carry a minimum $100,000 insurance liability policy. It was recently assigned to the House Committee on Judiciary and Civil Jurisprudence. Click here for more information.
House Bill 2116: This bill, introduced Rep. Garnet Coleman (D- Houston), would severely restrict an owner’s ability to keep their dog outdoors. The bill would prohibit all tethering of dogs while unattended. In addition, the bill would require all outdoor housing enclosures to have a minimum of 150 square feet of space for each dog.
It would also classify many sporting dog owners as “commercial breeders,” subjecting them to costly new regulations including housing, exercise, veterinary care, grooming, transportation, and more.
House Bill 1451: This legislation, introduced by Rep. Senfronia Thompson (D- Houston), would create a “commercial breeder” definition identical to that in HB 2116.
It would require “commercial breeders” (you are automatically a commercial breeder if you own over 11 females) to be licensed, inspected, and regulated by the Commission of Licensing and Regulation. The bill would require this Commission to enact costly new regulations for dog owners including strict housing guidelines, exercise requirements, mandatory veterinary exams, and many other requirements.
HB 1451 will be heard before the House Licensing and Administrative Procedures Committee this coming Tuesday, March 15th. Click here for more information on the hearing.
_________________ Working to preserve Hunting and Working dogs heritage and future
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