ACTION NEEDED TODAY TO DEFEAT A BILL (HB 1472) THAT WILL ALLOW A PERSON TO KILL A DOG ON HIS PROPERTY IF THE DOG IS "HARRASSING" THE PERSON'S LIVESTOCK OR PETS
(The definition of "harassing" is so vague and subjective that it would be virtually impossible to convict someonefor shooting a dog if the person claimed that the dog was "harassing" his livestock or pets.)
Action Needed This bill is on the Local and Consent Calendar for tomorrow, May 12th. Please contact your state Representative and ask him or her to OBJECT to HB 1472 being on the Local and Consent Calendar.
To find your Representative, go to http://www.fyi.legis.state.tx.us/
Talking Points
This bill that allows this defense for killing a dog attempts to define "harassing" as "disturbing, worrying, molesting, harrying, tormenting or chasing". Each of the words used in this definition is itself, very vague and subjective.
How could someone possibly determine whether an animal is "disturbed" or "worried"?
All of these definitions are so subjective and vague that it would be impossible to prove that the dog wasn't "harassing" the livestock or pet.
It should be noted that although it's a defense to prosecution, it does not shift the burden proof to the defendant. The prosecution still has to prove that the dog was not harassing a person's livestock or pet.
At the hearing on this bill, many people and organizations signed in against the bill including the Exotic Wildlife Association, the Texas Poultry Federation, the Texas Pork Producers Association, the Texas Sheep and Goat Raisers Association and of course, the Texas Humane Legislation Network. Nobody likes this bill and we must oppose it.
PLEASE CALL, WRITE, FAX OR E-MAIL YOUR REPRESENTATIVE TODAY AND ASK HIM/HER TO OPPOSE HB 1472. ASK YOUR FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS TO DO THE SAME. AS ALWAYS, BE POLITE AN COURTEOUS WHEN COMMUNICATING WITH YOUR REPRESENTATIVE AND THEIR STAFF.
(The definition of "harassing" is so vague and subjective that it would be virtually impossible to convict someonefor shooting a dog if the person claimed that the dog was "harassing" his livestock or pets.)
Action Needed This bill is on the Local and Consent Calendar for tomorrow, May 12th. Please contact your state Representative and ask him or her to OBJECT to HB 1472 being on the Local and Consent Calendar.
To find your Representative, go to http://www.fyi.legis.state.tx.us/
Talking Points
This bill that allows this defense for killing a dog attempts to define "harassing" as "disturbing, worrying, molesting, harrying, tormenting or chasing". Each of the words used in this definition is itself, very vague and subjective.
How could someone possibly determine whether an animal is "disturbed" or "worried"?
All of these definitions are so subjective and vague that it would be impossible to prove that the dog wasn't "harassing" the livestock or pet.
It should be noted that although it's a defense to prosecution, it does not shift the burden proof to the defendant. The prosecution still has to prove that the dog was not harassing a person's livestock or pet.
At the hearing on this bill, many people and organizations signed in against the bill including the Exotic Wildlife Association, the Texas Poultry Federation, the Texas Pork Producers Association, the Texas Sheep and Goat Raisers Association and of course, the Texas Humane Legislation Network. Nobody likes this bill and we must oppose it.
PLEASE CALL, WRITE, FAX OR E-MAIL YOUR REPRESENTATIVE TODAY AND ASK HIM/HER TO OPPOSE HB 1472. ASK YOUR FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS TO DO THE SAME. AS ALWAYS, BE POLITE AN COURTEOUS WHEN COMMUNICATING WITH YOUR REPRESENTATIVE AND THEIR STAFF.
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