There's an anti-dog tethering bill in Austin which will make criminals of many sporting dog and other breed owners.The Texas House Agriculture and Livestock Committee today heard testimony on HB521, introduced by Dallas' Rep. Tony Goolsby (R-102). The bill, reproduced below, would outlaw dog tethering or stake-outs shorter than ten feet, if employed more than eight (8) hours in a 24-hour period.
The offered bill rationale is that it's cruel to tether dogs and that mean dogs get meaner when tethered. Clearly, this bill would make standard field trial stake-out chains illegal and well as prohibit use of individual kennels and stake-outs, both of which are commonly used by many responsible dog owners.There's no way a workable exception to this bill's scope can be written. Your immediate action is required if this ill-conceived bill is to be defeated.
Please contact the follow seven members of the House Agriculture and Livestock Committee TODAY and urge that they reject HB521. Telephone calls are preferred. If you use email, include your full name and mailing address to insure proper consideration.
