TX Representative proposes 5-dog limit statewide, including the counties (San Antonio: 2009, home)

[clotheshound]

Does anyone have any information on this?

Per KLBJ talk radio this morning...

The Representative from Bexar County (San Antonio) will be introducing legislation to allow ALL Texas Counties to limit the number of dogs that a person can own both within municipalities AS WELL AS UNICORPORATED/RURAL AREAS!!!

[rd2007]

It's probably to stop the puppy farms and the crazies that have 150 dogs in their trailer. I couldn't imagine having five and anything else would just be pure insanity.
So I support this.

[Bowie]

FWIW, the Legislature won't be in session for at least another week. This is the time of year when many bills get filed. Few of them actually get to the floor for a vote.

If you have questions like this about a bill, the Legislative Reference Library of Texas can help you find it.

[TXTwizter]

I totally support this. Why would anyone need more than 2 animals anyway? I have some friends that have 4 dogs in a small 2 bedroom house. They spend more money on dog food then food for themselves.

[clotheshound]

Thank you very much Bowie - seeking as much information as I can, I just heard about this this morning. Thank you for taking the time to share.

We do have several dogs, we show & do rescues and I must admit, yes selecting just 5 would be very hard and also put an end to us taking in the strays and trying to re-home them - especially if we get fined for it.

Working at the vets office does not help either - we all tend to take home what others leave at the back door

[catman]

I don't see how that could be enforced. I'm all for stopping puppy mills, though. Good for you, clotheshound. The dog and cat overpopulation is inexcusable.

[teatime]

Most rescues rely on people to foster animals until they're adopted. This bill would pose a problem for rescue groups.

What they should be focusing on is abuse and neglect, not on numbers, per se. I have three dogs who are loved, healthy, happy and secure. My next-door neighbor had one dog that they left outside on a chain all day and night, wasn't fed properly and had untreated mange. Some people simply should not have a dog or dogs but why penalize those who take good care of their animals and even assist in rescue efforts?

[catman]

Good point, teatime. I had a neighbor (fortunately, she moved) who had one dog which was totally ignored too. I will not soon forget seeing the poor dog chained to the fence, standing in icy water. A homicide was considered.

[clotheshound]

You can view the bill at: www.capitol.state.tx.us Type HB 458 in the search bar.
The bill was proposed on: 12/22/2008 By: Rep. Leibowitz his phone numbers and contact information are listed at the bottom of the email.

And here is an email I received today from the Responsible Pet Owners Alliance in San Antonio...

TX-RPOA E-News
From RPOA Texas Outreach and
Responsible Pet Owners Alliance
"Animal welfare, not animal 'rights'
and, yes, there is a difference."
Permission granted to crosspost.

January 7, 2009
The Texas Legislature convenes their 81st Regular Session on January 13th and adjourns at the end of May. However bills are already being filed so fasten your seat belts, this will be a rough year.

The Responsible Pet Owners Alliance's Board of Directors voted last night to OPPOSE HB 458 filed by Rep. David Leibowitz from San Antonio relating to "limitations on the number of dogs at a residence in certain counties."

The bill states:
"The commissioners court of a county with a population of one million or more by order may limit the number of dogs that an individual may keep at a residence located in a residential subdivision in the unincorporated area of the county."
(Note this is unincorporated areas only. However it is a trend we don't want to see established in our counties.)

The "residential subdivision" means a subdivision that is platted and
recorded in the county real property records; in which the majority of the lots are subject to deed restrictions limiting lots to residential use and that includes at least five lots that have existing residential structures.

A meeting will be scheduled with Rep. Leibowitz asap to ask him to pull his bill, that we vehemently oppose it for the reasons listed below.

Limit Laws:
* Target all pet owners, regardless of the behavior of their animals.
* Are hard to enforce as pet owners will simply hide their pets.
* Cause a decline in the number of pets licensed and vaccinated for Rabies. Bordering Mexico, there's always a Rabies threat in Texas and the primary concern of elected officials should be that all animals are vaccinated for Rabies.
* A person with one dog that runs loose or barks all night is a greater nuisance than a person with a dozen dogs that are quiet, clean, and kept at home. Numbers have no relationship to nuisances.

Please contact your legislators and tell them that you oppose this bill. ALWAYS ask for the person in charge of legislation. If you don't know your legislators, go to:

www.capitol.state.tx.us/home.aspx and fill in the box at the bottom "Who represents me?"

Then contact bill sponsor Rep. Leibowitz and politely ask that he withdraw HB 458. Phone Austin: (512) 463-0269, Fax: (512) 320-0555 and/or Phone San Antonio: (210) 372-0759, Fax: (210) 372-1405. Ask for the person in charge of legislation.

If you haven't joined RPOA, do so today. Your animals will be glad you did. For the "Lobbyist Fund", mail donations to RPOA Texas Outreach (the 501 C4) at the address below. For a tax deductible donation, you can join RPOA (the 501 C3) on our website with PayPal or mail in the membership form.

RPOA Texas Outreach (501 C4)
Responsible Pet Owners Alliance (501 C3)
900 NE Loop 410 #311-D
San Antonio, TX 78209
Website: www.responsiblepetowners.org
$15 Annual dues (January - December)
To subscribe or unsubscribe,e-mail rpoa@texas.net.

[Muhnay]

It states certain counties.. not all of TX. What Counties I dont know.

81R3883 EAH-D

By: Leibowitz H.B. No. 458


A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to limitations on the number of dogs at a residence in
certain counties.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter Z, Chapter 240, Local Government
Code, is amended by adding Section 240.904 to read as follows:
Sec. 240.904. REGULATION OF NUMBER OF DOGS AT RESIDENCE.
(a) In this section, "residential subdivision" has the meaning
assigned by Section 240.081.
(b) The commissioners court of a county with a population of
one million or more by order may limit the number of dogs that an
individual may keep at a residence located in a residential
subdivision in the unincorporated area of the county.
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
Act takes effect September 1, 2009.