Abbott, protect Texans’ best friends
This is an open letter to Gov. Greg Abbott:
Your campaign recently invited me to financially support your re-election, something I was looking forward to doing — until you vetoed Senate Bill 474, also known as the Safe Outdoor Dogs Act. I am asking that you include the legislation as part of the special session on Thursday.
This legislation is important to me — and your veto and the accompanying proclamation were a shock. You recall that I have been involved in companion animal legislation for over a decade.
Let me tell you a bit about SB 474: It clarified current law to make it enforceable. It defined adequate shelter and required animals to be provided water. It removed chains as a method of restraint. It removed the burden of a 24-hour waiting period for law enforcement to take action.
Law enforcement sees firsthand the suffering of dogs in the brutal summer heat. They see dogs with no shade or water. They saw dogs freeze to death this past winter. Law enforcement officers and I find it incomprehensible that you would stand by the people inflicting this
misery instead of those trying to alleviate it. Do you really consider this micromanaging?
You support law enforcement, yet you disregarded the support of SB 474 by the Sheriffs’ Association of Texas, Combined Law Enforcement Agencies of Texas, Texas Municipal Police Association and several municipal police associations, not to mention more than 100 legislators.
You must know by now there were some glaring errors in your veto proclamation:
1. It would “require the tailoring of the dog’s collar.” This is the current law under Subchapter D, Section 821.076(1) of the Texas Penal Code.
2. It would “require the ratio of a tether-to-dog length from the tip of the nose to the base of the
tail.” SB 474 did not add any language about the length of the tether. This is the current law under Subchapter D, Section 821.077(b)(2) of the Texas Penal Code.
3. It would “over-criminalize dog owners.” In fact, SB 474 left unchanged current law Class C and Class B citations, as well as the penalties: Subchapter D, Section 821.079 (a)-(f ) of the Texas Penal Code.
Your campaign mentioned that 16 bills passed this session were good for animals. This is news to me. I hope it is true. Please advise as to which bills you are referring. Meanwhile, do the right thing and protect our best friends.