Posts
Good News From Texas
If you're new here, you may want to subscribe to my RSS feed. Thanks for visiting!
Without demonstratable compassion what chance does peace have? The Texas Humane Legislation Network (THLN) has garnered enough support for the state to pass laws that demonstrate compassion. This is a good sign from Texas.
It is a good sign for the human race.
It proves that many people have matured and gained compassion. It proves that some old ways of violence and abuse are no longer tolerated. It proves there is hope for a lasting peace. This is good news.
A Message from THLN President Randy Turner:
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:
- commit cruelty to stray and feral dogs and cats;
- recklessly commit cruelty to an animal (prosecutors will no longer have to prove that a person intended to commit cruelty);
- kill or cause serious bodily injury to animals in a cruel manner which is defined as manner that causes or permits unnecessary or unjustifiable pain or suffering (it will no longer be necessary to prove torture);
- 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 suffering. This is the identical protection that was given to non-livestock animals! So, in 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, sponsored by Texas Federation of Humane Societies and THLN, is on its way to the governor’s desk.
Dog Fighting: This bill, sponsored by Texas Federation of Humane Societies and THLN, is also 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 the 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
You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
Leave a Reply