Take Action! Texas sportsmen should contact their state representative and ask them to vote NO on SB 1090. State representative can be found by using the Sportsmen’s Alliance Legislative Action Center.
A Texas bill that would prohibit and restrict dog owners from using tethers to secure their dogs is scheduled for a hearing on Tuesday, May 9, at 8 a.m. in room E2.012 of the Texas State Capitol Building. Senate Bill 1090, sponsored by Sen. Eddie Lucio (D-Brownsville), was passed by the Senate on April 10 with a vote of 29-2 in favor. The bill is now in the House Public Health Committee.
SB 1090 will force dog owners to remain outside with a dog anytime it is tethered.
In addition to requiring dog owners to remain outside while pets do their business, Senate Bill 1090 also ban 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.
“Tethers are commonly used by sportsmen and field trialers, and many dog owners use tethers to let pets outside to relieve themselves, or to keep their dogs from leaving the property or running at large,” said 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 its health and overall care. Senate Bill 1090 makes things easier for law enforcement, but will criminalize law abiding dog owners with healthy 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.