I'm Against Puppy Mills, But To Eliminate All Breeding

"Animal Rights" Activists Aim to Eliminate All Dog and Cat Breeding in Texas

Their crosshairs are on purposeful breeding and sales of purebred dogs and cats in the U.S. as the "first step" of their extreme agenda.

Under the guise of emotional rhetoric to eliminate "Puppymills," Texas HB 1451 was pushed through the 2011 Texas Legislative Session by senior ranking members Rep. Senfronia Thompson and Senator John Whitmire and signed into law by Governor Rick Perry June 17. The bill mandates Texas dog and cat breeders with more than 10 Intact Female Animals (over 6 months) be licensed and comply with federal USDA regulations for minimum standards with requirements impossible to meet in a home environment. The newly appointed Texas Department of Licensing & Regulation's Breeders License Committee is tasked with writing more rules with enforcement to begin September 1, 2012.

Bill proponents Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), Texas Humane Legislation Network and ASPCA held a joint Lobby Day at the Capitol last legislative session. For HSUS President Wayne Pacelle this is a national agenda to legislate pet ownership out of existence. He stated as much in May of 1993: "One generation and out. We have no problem with the extinction of domestic animals. They are creations of human selective breeding." HSUS operates no animal shelters and only 1% of their $126 million budget goes to local shelters. Texas Humane Legislation Network President Cile Holloway reminded members of their goal to "Get anything passed and come back later."

Senator Whitmire says he's bringing HB 1451 back for the next Legislative Session.

HB 1451 goes far beyond reasonable requirements for humane care and confinement of animals -- exceeding existing standards for city pounds, nonprofit animal shelters and veterinary clinics. The bill states: "The standards adopted must at a minimum meet federal regulations for humane handling, care, treatment, and transportation set forth in 9C.F.R. Part 3, Subpart A in the Animal Welfare Act." HSUS failed to get a federal bill passed in 2005 to bring every dog and cat breeder in the U.S. under the Animal Welfare Act and vowed to take their campaign to the states.

Responsible Pet Owners Alliance, American Kennel Club, and many other animal welfare organizations opposed HB 1451 which authorizes third party inspectors' warrantless entry to homes, unannounced inspections without owner on premises, criminal background checks, payment to "snitches" for anonymous information, excessive license fees to cover all administration and enforcement costs, public listing of breeder licensed facilities and more. Public listing of licensed breeders will undoubtedly lead to harassment from "animal rights" extremists who harbor a deep hatred for all dog and cat shows and hobby breeders.

SOURCE: Responsible Pet Owners Alliance is the leading provider of information and assistance concerning animal welfare and related public health issues, taking whatever steps necessary to preserve our historic relationship with animals. To receive Texas RPOA E-News, email rpoa@texas.net.

CONTACT: Mary Beth Duerler
Executive Director
(210) 822-6763
rpoa@texas.net

DONATE: www.rpoatexasoutreach.org