Time to celebrate the good news for animals - Cross Post Widely

[Guest guest]

We don't often get news as good as this (see below). Thanks to the Texas Humane Legislation Network for their hard work on behalf of Texas animals. If you are not yet a THLN member, go to www.thln.org. Margaret Randy Turner May 24, 2007 11:59 AM 'Margaret Morin' Time to celebrate

 

 

 

 

Ok, it's time to break out the champagne and dance naked in the streets. This has been by far the best legislative session the animals of Texas have ever had.

Animal Cruelty: The House concurred with the Senate version of the animal cruelty bill and it is now on its way to the governor's desk. On September 1st, for the first time in Texas history, it will be a crime to:

 

1) commit cruelty to stray and feral dogs and cats;

2) "recklessly" commit cruelty to an animal (prosecutors will no longer have to prove that a person intended to commit cruelty);

3) kill or cause serious bodily injury to animals "in a cruel manner”which is defined as “a manner that causes or permits unnecessary or unjustifiable pain or suffering†(it will no longer be necessary to prove "torture";

4) fail to provide water to an animal in a person’s custody;

 

A prosecutor must still prove “torture†in cases involving cruelty to “livestock animals†(horses, cattle, sheep, pigs, goats, etc.). But—here is the really, really cool part—“torture†is defined as “any act that causes unnecessary or unjustifiable pain or sufferingâ€. This is the identical protection that was given to non-livestock animals! So, for the most part, the livestock vs. non-livestock protections are a distinction without a difference. This is a huge victory for horses. And, yes, horse tripping is still a crime.

 

Anti-Tethering: This bill is on its way to the governor’s desk.

 

Dog Fighting: This bill is on its way to the governor’s desk.

 

Horse Slaughter for Human Consumption: is not completely dead because there is still a theoretical possibility that the rules could be suspended and it could be tacked on to some bill in a conference committee. But it is definitely on life support and the plug is sort of half-way hanging out of the electrical outlet.

Animal Friendly License Plate Funding: This has been fully funded. The entire $2 million will be released to low and no-cost spay and neuter programs.

 

These are just some of the bills. THLN will be posting a summary of the legislative session on our website in the near future.

 

If anyone ever questioned whether their one little phone call or fax to a legislator really mattered, this session provided a clear and resounding answer. These past few months have shown that we can move mountains for animals and defeat some of the most powerful special interests in the country when we unite. A huge thank you from THLN to everyone who sent a letter or made a phone call to a legislator. You made Texas a much, much better place for animals.

 

Randy

 

Randall E. Turner

1300 South University Dr., Suite 602

Fort Worth, Texas 76107

Tel.: 817-348-0925

Fax: 817-926-6697

www.RandallTurner.us