Two bills that would criminalize safe and effective dog care practices are scheduled to be voted on in Tennessee legislative committees on March 13 and 14. Certain provisions in each bill could result in cruelty charges against an owner absent harm—or even discomfort—to a dog. While these bills are well meaning, an owner who does not strictly comply with certain overreaching requirements in each bill could be charged with animal cruelty, and if convicted, their animals would be ordered forfeited.
Responsible dog owners are urged to contact committee members to state their opposition to these bills as introduced and request that they be amended to include alternate language that will protect dogs without criminalizing the actions of caring, responsible owners. Scroll down for committee assignments and contact information.
Bill Information:
House Bill 472 and Senate Bill 195 seek to establish overreaching requirements and engineering standards for “necessary shelter” for a dog. The bills do not recognize that good owners utilize a variety of safe and effective dog houses, kennel buildings, and other structures to provide excellent shelter for their dogs. At the request of committee members, AKC has submitted recommended amendments that will provide protection for dogs without enacting unreasonable requirements that could result in cruelty charges against caring owners.
Senate Bill 835 seeks to criminalize restraining a dog with a chain, cord, tether, cable, or similar device during certain weather forecasts and during evacuation orders. A person would not be subject to prosecution unless the person previously received a warning citation. However, the bill does not consider that forecasted conditions may not occur where the dog is kept or that a tethered dog may be properly provided with access to safe shelter. The bill also fails to recognize that tethers can be used to safely restrain a dog for grooming and in preparation for or during an evacuation. Further, the bill is unnecessary because current Tennessee law already makes it a crime to knowingly tie, tether, or restrain a dog in a manner that results in the dog suffering bodily injury.
What you can do:
The Senate Judiciary Committee is scheduled to hear SB 195 (dog shelters) and SB 835 (tethering) on Monday, March 13, 2023. Contact committee members and respectfully state that you oppose SB 195 and SB 835 as introduced, and you request that SB 195 be amended to include alternate language that will protect dogs without criminalizing the actions of caring, responsible owners.
Sen. Todd Gardenhire, Chair, (615)741-6682, sen.todd.gardenhire@capitol.tn.gov
Sen. Dawn White, Vice-Chair, (615)741-6853, sen.dawn.white@capitol.tn.gov
Sen. Paul Rose, 2nd Vice-Chair, (615)741-1967, sen.paul.rose@capitol.tn.gov
Sen. Sara Kyle, (615)741-4167, sen.sara.kyle@capitol.tn.gov
Sen. London Lamar, (615)741-2509, sen.london.lamar@capitol.tn.gov 41-2509
Sen. Jon Lundberg, sponsor SB 195 and SB 835, (615)741-5761, sen.jon.lundberg@capitol.tn.gov
Sen. Kerry Roberts, (615)741-4499, sen.kerry.roberts@capitol.tn.gov
Sen. John Stevens, (615)741-4576, sen.john.stevens@capitol.tn.gov
Sen. Brent Taylor, (615)741-3036, sen.brent.taylor@capitol.tn.gov
—AND—
The House Criminal Justice Subcommittee is scheduled to hear HB 472 (dog shelters) on Tuesday, March 14, 2023. Contact committee members and respectfully state that you oppose HB 472 as introduced, and you request that the bill be amended to include alternate language that will protect dogs without criminalizing the actions of caring, responsible owners.
Rep. Clay Doggett, Chair, (615)741-7476, rep.clay.doggett@capitol.tn.gov
Rep. Scotty Campbell, (615)741-2050, rep.scotty.campbell@capitol.tn.gov
Rep. Elaine Davis, (615)741-2287, rep.elaine.davis@capitol.tn.gov
Rep. John Gillespie, (615)741-8201, rep.john.gillespie@capitol.tn.gov
Rep. G.A. Hardaway, (615)741-5625, rep.ga.hardaway@capitol.tn.gov
Rep. Dan Howell, (615)741-7799, rep.dan.howell@capitol.tn.gov
Rep. Bud Hulsey, (615)741-2886, rep.bud.hulsey@capitol.tn.gov
Rep. Gloria Johnson, (614)741-2031, rep.gloria.johnson@capitol.tn.gov
Rep. William Lamberth, (615)741-1980, rep.william.lamberth@capitol.tn.gov
Rep. Debra Moody, (615)741-3774, rep.debra.moody@capitol.tn.gov
Rep. Lowell Russell, (615)741-3736, rep.lowell.russell@capitol.tn.gov
Rep. Paul Sherrell, (615)741-1963, rep.paul.sherrell@capitol.tn.gov
Rep. Joe Towns, Jr., (615)741-2189, rep.joe.towns@capitol.tn.gov
Talking Points and Resources: Dogs Outdoors/Tethering
For additional information, please contact AKC Government Relations at doglaw@akc.org.