"PRESS RELEASE
Dec. 17, 2012, 1:12 p.m. EST
The joke is on Humane Society of U.S. and their Texas affiliate "Texas Humane Legislation Network," according to Responsible Pet Owners Alliance
SAN ANTONIO, Texas, Dec. 17, 2012 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- After four years of lies to legislators and media, the "animal rights" groups succeeded in getting HB 1451 passed during the 2011 Texas Legislative Session. The fiscal note for the bill claimed there were 1,000 unregulated "puppy and kitty mills" in the state.
Texas Department of Licensing & Regulation (TDLR) began enforcement of the new law September 1st, with only 133 dog and cat breeders licensed to date. TDLR has been lenient in their pre-license inspections in order to enroll dog and cat breeders in their system. USDA regulations are required by the new law as a minimum; originally written for animals raised for animal research in a sterile environment. They can't be met in private home settings.
The statute requires license fees and fines to cover all administration and enforcement of the new law. "HB 1451 was written to eliminate Texas dog and cat breeders, not regulate them," said Mary Beth Duerler, executive director of Responsible Pet Owners Alliance (RPOA).
HB 1451 was written by HSUS and their Texas "lapdog," Texas Humane Legislation Network, and not by any legislator in response to a need. It is a national legislative agenda of extremists who want to eliminate all use and sales of animals for any reason. HSUS has no affiliation with local humane societies and is not a government agency. During the Senate Committee Hearing, Senator Dan Patrick asked where HB 1451 came from and commented that the bill "made no sense whatsoever."
-- HB 1451 Breeder Definition is flawed, does not include "commercial" word at all. Should be defined by high volume sales of animals that provide a livelihood.
-- Allows unannounced warrantless inspections of all facilities, including homes.
-- Special Fund for Enforcement allows donations from agenda groups like HSUS.
-- "Breeder Bounty" (up to $1,000 for anonymous "snitches") will allow harassment from animal rights "vigilantes" with a deep hatred for all pet breeders."
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