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-- Sign up HERE to combat HSUS at Austin (http://forums.ukcdogs.com/showthread.php?threadid=258508)

Sign up HERE to combat HSUS at Austin

If you're interested in a group trip to Austin to defend our hounds, hunting, fishing ,farming and ranching rights -
PLEASE REPLY/SIGN UP HERE or send me an email or PM so that I can coordinate with RPOA. They've asked me for a spreadsheet so they can put this in place at Austin.
I'd like to have your email address and phone number. So if you don't want your phone number to be made public, just email your info to me.
LETS ROLL so Texas doesn't suffer the HSUS fate of Oklahoma!

__________________
SKY
___________________
Author of the novel "Follow Jennifer"

When would the trip be?

Sean

RPOA is making plans

There is no date set yet. But RPOA asked that as many people as possible sign up so they'd have an idea of response numbers. RPOA is checking out the best date and hoping those who express an interest will be able to go. RPOA mentioned getting a bus so we could meet & park at a designated spot & arrive together. This is in the planning stage. It COULD be the same day HSUS/PETA/THLN people are there - THAT would be interesting!
Texas is an HSUS/PETA priority because we are so involved with hounds & hunting as well as poultry and ranching.
HSUS/PETA/THLN has already scored victories in Dallas/Ft. Worth & they have worked on Killeen & Victoria. If they can't take the whole state they work on it area-by-area.

__________________
SKY
___________________
Author of the novel "Follow Jennifer"

Definitely

will NOT be the same day as the HSUS Lobbyist Day.
What day of the week would be best for YOU?

__________________
SKY
___________________
Author of the novel "Follow Jennifer"

Follow this lead

TX-RPOA E-News
From RPOA Texas Outreach and
Responsible Pet Owners Alliance
"Animal welfare, not animal 'rights'
and, yes, there is a difference."
Permission granted to crosspost.


February 21, 2009
Let's hope we have victory in Texas.
___________________________
From: Cindy Williams
Amherst, NH
Dog Owners of the Granite State (DOGS)

This one took a lot of work and turnout but we made it happen!! 50 dog breeders attended the hearing with many speakers on our side giving testimony against 4 HSUS members, one of which is the state HSUS bigwig who could not
answer one reps question of how long gestation in a canine took. LOL! We feel good about this one being flushed for 2009 with the 16-0 vote but we know it will be back revamped next year.

We have a cruelty/seizure bill we have to kill next...and this is a real bad one too, so unfortunately our trips to the capitol aren't over for this year yet.

2009 NH Legislative Briefing Summary
#6 LEGISLATIVE UPDATE

Appropriate Forwarding is Encouraged
Thank you. Your testimony, calls, emails and letters were very persuasive!
The House Environment and Agriculture Committee voted 16-0 to recommend that
HB 337 be "Inexpedient to Legislate". The House will vote on the recommendation on March 4th.
respectfully submitted,
Cindy Williams
Amherst, NH
_www.honeypothounds.com_ (http://www.honeypothounds.com)

RPOA Texas Outreach (501 C4)
Responsible Pet Owners Alliance (501 C3)
900 NE Loop 410 #311-D
San Antonio, TX 78209
Website: www.responsiblepetowners.org
$15 Annual dues (January - December)
To subscribe or unsubscribe,e-mail rpoa@texas.net.

__________________
SKY
___________________
Author of the novel "Follow Jennifer"

Bill stating dogs cannot be kept outside

Texas

Senate Bill 634 was introduced February 2 by Sen. Kel Seliger (R-Amarillo). A committee assignment has not yet been made. Thus far, no cosponsors are recorded for the legislation.

The legislation says that a dog may not be kept outdoors:

• In an enclosure of less that 150 square feet for every dog older than age six months. This definition would be met by a kennel that is 10-feet wide and 15-feet long. This size of kennel would be appropriate for a great Dane, but absurd for a Chihuahua. Owners of smaller dogs, including hunting breeds such as beagles, basset hounds and working terriers, would be very unfairly penalized. Many dog owners would have to tear down and replace existing kennel structures that are well constructed and completely meet the needs of their dogs. Individual costs of compliance easily could be several thousand dollars, at a minimum. However, hot or cold weather would invalidate this kind of housing.

• If the air temperature with wind chill factored in falls below 32 degrees, or if a heat advisory has been issued. The bill fails to consider that acclimatization to weather extremes is essential for the health and safety of hunting dogs, herding dogs and other working dogs. These dogs must work in all kinds of weather. If they are not used to severe weather, their lives are endangered. It also ignores the fact that a shaded and breezy outdoor location often is the safest place to keep a dog in hot weather, and people are not required to live in air-conditioned homes. Indoor housing in such conditions is dangerous. Protection from the wind is essential in cold weather, but many kennels offer complete protection from cold weather in an outdoor situation through good housing, windbreaks and other methods.

• Or on a “restraint.” This term is not defined in the legislation, but it appears to prohibit anyone from keeping a dog on a tether or chain. Experienced dog people know that tethering provides a dog with the highest possible degree of freedom and safety if it is done correctly. It also provides dogs with the most frequent interaction with people, as contact is unobstructed by kennel fencing. In addition, the only research done on the effects of tethering shows that there are no observable changes in behavior if tethering is used (a 2002 study by Cornell University).

Traditional non-confined farm and ranch housing of herding and working dogs also would appear to be prohibited, and leaving a farm, ranch, herding or livestock protection dog outdoors unattended without restraint would not be allowed. This also would appear to apply to dogs that are used to guard livestock from predators or fenced private property from intruders.

Another apparent prohibition would be housing dogs in dog boxes mounted in or on pick-up trucks, horse trailers or dog trailers when their owner is traveling. These “on-the-road” housing methods are frequently used by many people who travel with dogs, or people who participate in hunting, field trials, dog shows and other events.

And a separate requirement for a dog to be under “immediate” control while on a leash would appear to prohibit training on a checkcord, or using retractable leashes to give a dog more freedom of movement.

Here is a link to this legislation: http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodoc...c/SB00634I.doc.

The American Sporting Dog Alliance is asking Texans to contact Sen. Seliger and ask him to withdraw this dangerous legislation. His email is kel.seliger@senate.state.tx.us[/email] His capitol phone is (512) 463-0131 and his fax is (512) 475-3733. This page will give contact information for his district offices: http://www.txdirectory.com/online/p...p;office=16684.

We also are asking Texans to contact their own senator and representative to express opposition to SB 634. Here is a link for all senators: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/Memb...aspx?Chamber=S. This link is for members of the House of Representatives: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/Memb...aspx?Chamber=H.

__________________
SKY
___________________
Author of the novel "Follow Jennifer"