Texas Humane Legislation Network Legislative Update

May 4, 2007

To everyone who telephoned, faxed and emailed to urge the State of Texas legislature to pass anti-animal cruelty, here is a status report of our results to date. Thank you to all who contributes thus far. As you can see, we aren't through yet, but we have made progress. Although no action is requested at this time, please watch your email for future requests for you to advocate for animals to the state legislature as it will be the last chance we have for another two years. Thanks very much. Margaret

INFORMATIONAL LEGISLATIVE UPDATE ONLY

- NO ACTION REQUIRED -

May 4, 2007

Dear Margaret,

First, a huge thank you for your help and support thus far in what has turned out to be a very challenging legislative session. With your help and support we've accomplished a lot so far, but we still have a ways to go. From this point on to the end of this legislative session on May 28th there will be a flurry of activity and we will be asking for your help - often at the last minute. We hope we can count on you to see us to the finish line with victories for the animals. There are currently four bills that will need our attention. They are:

HB 2328 (the Animal Cruelty Bill)-This bill passed the House of Representatives and is in the Senate; however, some damaging amendments were put on this bill when it was debated on the House Floor and we will need to correct those in the Senate. HB 916 (the Dog Fighting Bill)-This bill has passed the House of Representatives and will soon be headed for the Senate. We will need to continue to support this bill. SB 1562/HB 633 (provides for training and certification of animal control officers)-These companion bills are working there way through the Senate and House simultaneously. Soon one will be designated as the bill to be finally voted on. We will need to support that bill. HB 3930 (allowing appeals from JP Courts in cases of cruelly treated animals)-This bill has passed the House and is a very bad bill. We will need to defeat it in the Senate. Current law prohibits the owner of cruelly treated animals to appeal the JP Court's decision to divest the owner of ownership in those animals so those animals can be treated, cared for and re-homed as soon as possible. If this bill passes it would give owners an appeal to the county court and the county attorneys would have to try the case all over again. This will result in extra cost and delays in getting the animals cared for and adopted. Horse Slaughter-Thanks to your calls and letters, there is no active bill to legalize horse slaughter in Texas. However, we definitely expect the horse slaughter plants to try to attach an amendment on other bills to legalize horse slaughter. We will diligently be looking for those attempts and try to prevent them. Thanks again for your help so far and we will be sending you action alerts when action is needed on any of these bills.

Cile Holloway Skip Trimble

Co-Chairs - Legislation Committee

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Texas Humane Legislation Network | P.O. Box 685283 | Austin | TX | 78768-5283

"Think occasionally of the suffering of which you spare yourself the sight." ~Albert Schweitzer