House Bill 2238 will require anyone who owns 5 or more intact female dogs over 6 months of age to become a state licensed dog breeder – even if they never breed a litter or sell a single dog.
The bill has been scheduled for a hearing tomorrow Wednesday, March 22. Scroll down to see how you can help TODAY.
The proponents of this legislation claim the following:
“Redefining who is a large-scale breeder by adjusting the number of breeding females from eleven to five and removing the sales requirement will:
- Prevent the cruelty that is currently happening at unlicensed, large-scale facilities.
- Allow the law to better monitor the industry it was designed to regulate.
- Bring Texas law into line with standards commonly used in the industry, other states, and the USDA.”
All three of these points are inaccurate. This bill if passed will constitute one of the most restrictive state breeder licensing programs in the United States. It will only serve to punish responsible dog owners and breeders and will expose their private homes to inspection even if they never sell a dog.
Proponents of this bill have indicated their belief that this will bring Texas in line with federal USDA regulations. However, this bill drastically expands state law and goes significantly beyond federal regulations, which apply to those with more than 4 breeding females and are selling dogs sight unseen. This bill will not do anything to improve the welfare of dogs and create significant burdens on hobbyists who raise dogs in their homes. View AKC’s previous alert for more information on the bill and talking points.
How to Help:
- Testify in person at the hearing. The House Licensing and Administrative Procedures Committee will meet on Wednesday, March 22 at 8:00am in room E2.010 of the State Capitol. To testify, simply register to speak when you arrive for the hearing. Follow this link for more information on Capitol access and committee testimony.
- Contact the committee TODAY. Texas residents should contact the Committee and the bill sponsor by Tuesday, March 21 to express opposition to the bill. Let them know you are Texas resident that is opposed to House Bill 2238. Be sure to share your experience and expertise with dogs and express how this legislation will negatively impact you and your dogs. Public comments can be submitted directly into the committee record here.
Please also use the action link provided to reach out to the committee individually and also consider calling the sponsor and members prior to Wednesday’s hearing:
Bill Sponsor contact information:
State Representative Brad Buckley
brad.buckley@house.texas.gov
(254) 947-5026
House Licensing and Administrative Procedures Committee members contact information:
Chair Ken King
ken.king@house.texas.gov
(512) 463-0736
Vice Chair Armando Walle
armando.walle@house.texas.gov
(512) 463-0924
State Rep Craig Goldman
craig.goldman@house.texas.gov
(512) 463-0608
State Rep Sam Harless
sam.harless@house.texas.gov
(512) 463-0496
State Rep Jared Patterson
jared.patterson@house.texas.gov
(512) 463-0694
State Rep Matt Schaefer
matt.schaefer@house.texas.gov
(512) 463-0584
State Rep Matt Shaheen
matt.shaheen@house.texas.gov
(512) 463-0594
State Rep Ana Hernandez
ana.hernandez@house.texas.gov
(713) 675-8596
State Rep Abel Herrero
abel.herrero@house.texas.gov
(512) 463-0462
State Rep Tracy King
tracy.king@house.texas.gov(512) 463-0194
State Rep Senfronia Thompson
Senfronia.thompson@house.texas.gov
(512) 463-0720
AKC Government Relations will provide more information on these bills as it is available. For questions or more information, contact AKC GR at doglaw@akc.org.