TX-RPOA E-News
>From RPOA Texas Outreach and
Responsible Pet Owners Alliance
"Animal welfare, not animal 'rights'
and, yes, there is a difference."
Crossposting is encouraged.
January 2, 2011
The next meeting of the new Licensed Breeder Committee of the Texas
Department of Licensing & Regulation (TDLR) is 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, January
4, 2012. All meeting information and agenda can be found at:
http://www.license.state.tx.us/bre/bre.htm
If there was ever any doubt as to the organizations and agenda behind the
misnamed Texas "Puppymill" Bill which passed last year, watch the December
7th archived meeting at the same link for HSUS and Texas Humane Legislation
Network (THLN) presence and input.
The Committee met to discuss and consider rules for the new licensed
dog and cat breeders program. During that meeting three documents were
distributed and discussed including the initial draft of rules - all
available at the URL above, including a letter from the American Kennel
Club. As RPOA has reported earlier, TDLR had already written a draft for
the new committee which was presented to them at this meeting.
Texas HSUS state director Nicole Paquette was on hand to reiterate
emphatically that the USDA standards are the "floor" for HB 1451's rules
which can "far exceed" but "not be lower" than the federal regulations.
It doesn't bode well for Texas dog and cat breeders that some members of the
Breeder Licensing Committee have strong ties to Texas Humane Legislation
Network. To the uninitiated, THLN is the HSUS lapdog in Texas. Dr. Lori
Teller, former president of Texas Veterinary Medical Association (TVMA) also
serves on the committee. TVMA helped write, actively lobbied for and
vocally supported the HSUS/THLN bill at all legislative hearings. Sherry
Ferguson, committee member from the Houston Humane Society, wanted facility
inspections to be unannounced because when HHS gives notice, she says
animals can disappear.
TDLR General Counsel Charles Johnson informed the committee their input is
recommendations only and non-binding. Johnson also said the "Intent" which
is in the exemptions for breeding certain dogs will be defined on a case by
case basis and falls back on enforcement since law has never been able to
define "Intent." He said HB 1451 is not a criminal statute so it doesn't
require a search warrant.
The Advisory Committee was divided into three work groups with four members
in each group: Standards, Licensing and Compliance. Members could serve in
more than one group. The work groups have been meeting via conference calls
the past month without sharing their work.
So Wednesday will be the first meeting for all their recommendations to be
put on the table.
Persons interested in these draft rules will have opportunity to submit
comments at the January meeting and after the rules are published in the
Texas Register.
Of special interest: TDLR Director Bill Kuntz said the legislature must
make some changes next session and Senator John Whitmire has publicly stated
that he will bring the bill back if there are problems.
TDLR researched how Kansas, Pennsylvania, Nebraska, Colorado and Oklahoma
are enforcing their Breeder Licensing Programs and found that most states
had their own inspectors on staff (not third party inspectors). TDLR has
not made a decision yet on their RFP regarding same.
Colorado has a new board under Board of Veterinary Examiners, effective
2011, similar to Texas with more than 10 Intact Females but no offspring are
included in the Breeder Definition. CO has 150 Licensed Breeders. TDLR
predicts between 500 and 700 future licensed breeders in Texas which is
preposterous. HB 1451 stipulates that fees to breeders must cover all costs
of the bill. TDLR has been given a budget of $520,000 - $530,000 for
starters.
..........................................................
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www.rpoatexasoutreach.org
Our statewide membership includes concerned "John Q" Pet Owners with all
species of pets (mixed breeds/purebreds); dog, cat, bird clubs from all
national registries; cat and dog fanciers/exhibitors; all species rescuers
and breeders; veterinarians; veterinary technicians; sportsmen;
working/hunting dog breed clubs and individual owners; search & rescue dog
owners; therapy dog owners; guide dog owners; show dog handlers; pet
sitters; dog trainers; pet groomers; boarding kennels and many other animal
interests.
www.rpoatexasoutreach.org
Responsible Pet Owners Alliance (501 C3 Nonprofit)
www.responsiblepetowners.org
900 NE Loop 410 #311-D
San Antonio, TX 78209
$15 Annual Dues (Jan-Dec)
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