Texas Humane Legislation Network (THLN) - Promoting the humane treatment of animals through legislation, education and advocacy

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Over the past year since HB 1451 (the Puppy Mill Bill) passed the Texas state legislature, we have been involved with TDLR's adoption of Rules to establish the minimum standards for licensed breeders in connection with the housing and care of their animals. The process was long and arduous and regrettably, produced little more than those minimum standards currently set forth in the USDA Regulations under the Federal Animal Welfare Act. Click here to view the initial draft fines for violation of the Puppy Mill Statute and/or the Puppy Mill Rules adopted thereunder as proposed by TDLR Staff. (PDF format)

Now that those are in place (as weak as they maybe), the next step is to begin the licensing of breeders covered by the Puppy Mill Bill. This will start on September 1, 2012. With that date rapidly approaching, TDLR produced a draft matrix of the punishment scale for violations of the Puppy Mill Bill or the TDLR Rules adopted thereunder. The draft was presented to the Breeder Advisory Committee on Tuesday, August 21st. The Committee did not rule on or even consider the proposed draft, but instead referred that job to a "working group" comprised of four members of the Advisory Committee: a licensed breeder, a public member, an animal welfare representative, and a veterinarian. No timetable was set for them to meet; consider the draft; and make comments and recommendations back to the Advisory Committee. The discussions by the "working group" are not open to the public, but the next meeting of the Advisory Committee will be. As soon as we have information regarding the date and time of that meeting we will advise you.

In the meantime, we have posted a Fact Sheet and other helpful information regarding the Puppy Mill Bill and its enforcement in the Puppy Mills Animal Protection Issues section. Click here to view the Puppy Mill Bill and Rules Update fact sheet (PDF format).

In closing, a special thanks to all of you for your continued support to help animals in these facilities have a better life.

In addition, Brian Francis; Deputy Executive Director of the Texas Department of License and Regulation (TDLR) will be hosting a breakout session at our 4th annual conference on September 28-29 to give more facts about this bill, rules, reporting, etc...More information about our conference can be found by clicking here.

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Thank you for your support of THLN. Please help ensure that we can continue our efforts to promote animal protection through legislation, education and advocacy and to continue our efforts to help enforce the laws that protect animals. Make a contribution today.

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Issue Links: Puppy Mills