Take Action Today! House Bill 1156 is scheduled for a hearing on March 14 in room E2.012 at 8 a.m. at the Texas State Capitol. Texas members should contact their State Representatives and ask them to vote NO on HB 1156. Texas sportsmen can contact their State Representative by using the Sportsmen’s Alliance Legislative Action Center.
On Tuesday, March 14, the Texas House Committee will hear a bill that would open the door for law-abiding dog owners to be fined for letting their dogs outside while tethered. House Bill 1156, sponsored by State Representative Sarah Davis (R-West University Place) will force dog owners to remain outside with a tethered dog. The bill will be heard before the House Public Health Committee on Tuesday March 14.
In addition to requiring dog owners to remain outside with their pets, House Bill 1156 also bans chains, and mandates specific requirements for the lengths of tethers. While the bill attempts to provide exemptions for common agricultural or sporting practices, dog owners must still be present at all times or face a criminal offense and fines of up to $2,000.
“Tethers are commonly used by sportsmen and field trailers, and many dog owners use tethers at home to let pets outside to relieve themselves, or to keep their dogs from leaving the property or running at large,” explained 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 the totality of care provided and its health. House Bill 1156 makes things easier for law enforcement, but will criminalize law-abiding dog owners with healthy, well-cared for 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.