from Robert L. Trimble - [email protected]
Texas is currently one of only a handful of states that has no
regulation over the private ownership of dangerous wild animals (big
cats, bears, coyotes, jackals, great apes, etc.) and this lack of
regulation is compromising both the public's safety and the animals'
welfare. In just the past two years, numerous incidences have occurred
in Texas in which people (primarily young children) were killed or
maimed by these animals. In fact, during that time more human attacks by
these animals occurred in Texas than the rest of the entire United
States combined. These incidences are in addition to the high number of
reported incidences of animal escapes, abuse, neglect and improper care.
To help end these tragedies, Representative Toby Goodman of Arlington
has introduced H.B.1362 which will regulate the private ownership of
these animals. This bill will require an owner to: (i) register his
animal with the local animal control authority; (ii) house the animal in
a secure enclosure of adequate size; (iii) humanely care for the animal
in accordance with standards already established in the Federal Animal
Welfare Act; and (iv) maintain a minimum of $100,000 of liability
insurance to cover any damage, injury or death caused by the animal. You
can read the full text of the bill at
www.house.state.tx.us
H.B. 1362 will be heard before the House Committee on County Affairs
very soon - perhaps as early as next week. Special interest groups
(owners, breeders, exhibitors and trainers of these animals; roadside
zoos, circuses and several rich ranch owners) who oppose this bill are
poised to make a huge effort (including hiring highly paid and
influential lobbyists like former House Speaker Gib Lewis) to defeat
this bill. We must counter with a massive grassroots effort or we will
fail. There will be many battles in this war and we must respond each
time. The first battle is to get this bill approved by the County
Affairs Committee.
WHAT YOU CAN DO:
1. Attend the Committee hearing and sign up as supporting the Bill.
2. Call and write every member on the County Affairs Committee and
ask that they support H.B. 1362. It is best to call and then follow with
a letter. The next best thing is to write. Unfortunately, emails and
faxes for the most part never reach the representative or are ignored.
3. When calling and/or writing the Committee Member you may wish to
point out the following:
* You are alarmed and concerned about the number of attacks on humans by
these animals, especially children.
* You want these animals registered so you will know where they are so
you can take the necessary precautions to protect yourself and your
family from an attack by one of these animals.
* You want the people who own these animals to be held responsible for
the damage they do and you want them to be financially responsible
through liability insurance like people who drive cars.
* You also want to make sure that these animals are caged in a proper
manner so that they don't escape and that they are treated in a humane
manner.
* Point out to them that Texas is one of only a few states who don't
regulate these animals and as a result Texas has more incidences of
animal attacks on humans than the rest of the United States combined.
PLEASE ACT TODAY; IF YOU DON'T WE WILL SURELY FAIL.
The mailing addresses of all Committee Members is State Capitol,
P.O. Box 2910, Austin, Texas 78768-2910 and their phone numbers
are as follows:
Chair: Tom Ramsay - 512-463-0680
Vice Chair: Glenn Lewis - 512-463-0716
Members: Betty Brown - 512-463-0458
Warren Chisum - 512-463-0736
David Farabee - 512-463-0534
Harvey Hilderbran - 512-463-0536
Mike Krusee - 512-463-0670
John H. Shields - 512-463-0658
Ignacio Salinas, Jr. - 512-463-0590
When writing, address your correspondence as follows:
Address: Honorable [Full Name]
Salutation: Dear Representative [Last Name]
<> <> <> <> <>
ROUND TWO FOR THE DANGEROUS WILD ANIMAL BILL - THIS TIME IN
THE SENATE
Now that you've acted on our plea for help with the
House version of the Dangerous Wild Animal Bill (S.B. 235), we also need
help on the Senate side! Please read carefully and act promptly.
To address this problem in the Senate, Senator Chris
Harris of Arlington has introduced S.B.235 which will regulate the
private ownership of these animals. This bill will require an owner to:
(i) register his animal with the local animal control authority; (ii)
house the animal in a secure enclosure of adequate size; (iii) humanely
care for the animal in accordance with standards already established in
the Federal Animal Welfare Act; and (iv) maintain a minimum of $100,000
of liability insurance to cover any damage, injury or death caused by
the animal.
You can read the full text of the bill at
www.house.state.tx.us
S.B. 235 will be heard before the Senate Committee on
State Affairs very soon (probably next week). Special interest groups
(owners, breeders, exhibitors and trainers of these animals; roadside
zoos, circuses and several rich ranch owners) who oppose this bill are
poised to make a huge effort (including hiring highly paid and
influential lobbyists like former House Speaker Gib Lewis) to defeat
this bill. We must counter with a massive grassroots effort or we will
fail. There will be many battles in this war and we must respond each
time. The first Senate battle is to get this bill approved by the Senate
Affairs Committee.
WHAT YOU CAN DO:
1. Attend the Committee hearing and sign up as
supporting the Bill.
2. Call and write every member on the State Affairs
Committee and ask that they support S.B. 235. It is best to call and
then follow with a letter. The next best thing is to write.
Unfortunately, emails and faxes for the most part never reach the
representative or are ignored.
3. When calling and/or writing the Committee Member you
may wish to point out the following:
* You are alarmed and concerned about the number of
attacks on humans by these animals, especially children.
* You want these animals registered so you will know where they are so
you can take the necessary precautions to protect yourself and your
family from an attack by one of these animals.
* You want the people who own these animals to be held responsible for
the damage they do and you want them to be financially responsible
through liability insurance like people who drive cars.
* You also want to make sure that these animals are caged in a proper
manner so that they don't escape and that they are treated in a humane
manner.
* Point out to them that Texas is one of only a few states who don't
regulate these animals and as a result Texas has more incidences of
animal attacks on humans than the rest of the United States combined.
PLEASE ACT TODAY; IF YOU DON'T WE WILL SURELY FAIL.
The mailing addresses of all State Affairs Committee
Members is State
Capitol, P.O. Box 12068, Austin, Texas 78711-2068 and their phone
numbers are as follows:
Chair: Florence Shapiro - 512-463-0108
Vice Chair: Carlos Truan - 512-463-0120
Members:
Ken Armbrister - 512-463-0118
John Carona - 512-463-0116
Troy Fraser - 512-463-0124
Mario Gallegos - 512-463-0106
Chris Harris - 512-463-0110
Frank L. Madla - 512-463-0119
Eliot Shapleigh - 512-463-0129
When writing, address your correspondence as follows:
Address: Honorable [Full Name]
Salutation: Dear Senator [Last Name]
If you have any questions call or need further
information on how you can
help or fax the Texas Humane Legislation Network at 214/357-2250.
Go on to Earth Day
Return to 18 February 2001 Issue
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