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TX: ALERT! Texas Committees Approve Bills Restricting Tethering

Vicki

Administrator
ALERT! Texas Committees Approve Bills Restricting Tethering
Posted on April 4, 2017

Take Action Today!
Currently House Bill 1156 and Senate Bill 1090 could be scheduled for a future vote at any moment. Texas members should contact their state elected officials and ask them to vote NO on HB 1156 and SB 1090. Texas sportsmen can contact their state representative and state senator by using the Sportsmen’s Alliance Legislative Action Center.


Bills that would prohibit and restrict dog owners from using tethers to secure their dogs have been approved by legislative committees in both the Texas Senate and House of Representatives. House Bill 1156, sponsored by State Representative Sarah Davis (R-West University Place), was placed on the House calendar on March 29, while identical Senate Bill 1090, sponsored by Senator Eddie Lucio (D-Brownsville), was approved by the Intergovernmental Relations Committee on the same day.

These actions mean that there could be a floor vote on either measure at any time. HB 1156 and SB 1090 will force dog owners to remain outside with a tethered dog.

In addition to requiring dog owners to remain outside while pets do their business, House Bill 1156 and Senate Bill 1090 also ban chains, and mandates specific requirements for the lengths of tethers. While the bills attempt to provide exemptions for common agricultural or sporting practices, dog owners must still be present at all times or face a criminal offense.

“Tethers are commonly used by sportsmen and field trialers, and many dog owners use tethers to let pets outside to relieve themselves, or to keep their dogs from leaving the property or running at large,” said Luke Houghton, associate director of state services with the Sportsmen’s Alliance. “Rather than a one-size-fits-all law that criminalizes dog owners, it would be better to judge a tethered dog by its health and amenities provided. House Bill 1156 and Senate bill 1090 make things easier for law enforcement, but will criminalize law abiding dog owners with healthy dogs.”

About the Sportsmen’s Alliance: The Sportsmen’s Alliance protects and defends America’s wildlife conservation programs and the pursuits – hunting, fishing and trapping – that generate the money to pay for them. Sportsmen’s Alliance Foundation is responsible for public education, legal defense and research. Its mission is accomplished through several distinct programs coordinated to provide the most complete defense capability possible. Stay connected to Sportsmen’s Alliance: Online, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

http://www.sportsmensalliance.org/news/alert-texas-committees-approve-bills-restricting-tethering/
 

Sheila Braund

Well-Known Member
Sometimes I think people have way too much time on their hands... Who was the not so sharp tool that started this ball rolling needs to be educated