Lobbyist hired by Endangered Breed Association and RPOA |
| Info as posted by Kim Krohn, Legislative Liaison, Greater Kansas City Dog Training Club |
| **************************************************************************** |
| Kim reports: Several weeks ago I spoke to Jeff Shaver, a Texas resident and Rottweiler fancier, about the critical state of dog legislation in Texas. Jeff is an attorney and has been drving from the Houston area to Austin in an attempt to fight several pieces of bad dog legislation in the Lone Star State. I told Jeff that they needed a lobbyist in Austin desperately. The fact that we have full time lobbyists at the Capitol in Missouri means that I have the time to meddle in everyone else's business. A state lobbying fund has now been set up for Texas and a lobbyist has been hired. The fund is being handled by the Endangered Breeds Association and is endorsed by Mary Beth Duerler and RPOA (San Antonio, TX). Mary Beth is one of my old partners in crime from the "pit bull wars" of two decades ago. Please read what is posted below from Mary Beth about the lobbyist fund. Think about how much you spend showing and training your dogs. If you want to continue your hobby please consider parting with a little of that money for a good cause. I can assure you that the money will be in good hands and will be earmarked ONLY for the Texas lobbyist fund. Our EBA Treasurer can account for every penny that EBA has taken in and donated since 1987. Texas residents and dog clubs will be better off with a full time lobbyist - they can send a check once or twice a year to the fund, make an occasional phone call or write a letter to Austin, and continue with their lives. And Jeff won't be burning up so much time, gas, and sanity! Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions. Please consider joining RPOA http://www.responsiblepetowners.org/. Mary Beth has been fighting this fight for a long, long time and needs everyone's support. Thank you, Kim Krohn, Legislative Liaison, Greater Kansas City Dog Training Club Endangered Breeds Association board member Missouri Federation of Animal Owners, Board Member and Lobbyist. krohndog@swbell.net TX-RPOA E-News From Responsible Pet Owners Alliance, the reasonable voice regarding animal issues in Texas. Responsible Pet Owners Alliance is an animal welfare organization, not "animal rights" and, yes, there is a difference. Permission granted to crosspost. April 19, 2007 Good news! The Endangered Breed Association has donated $5,000 for a retainer for a lobbyist to help us oppose the FOUR Dangerous Dog bills filed this legislative session in Texas: HB 1355, SB 411, SB 405 and SB 349. The lobbyist has been hired and is working to help us defeat these bills or at the very least amend them to exclude a felony conviction for a first offense by a dog causing "serious bodily injury or death." In addition to their own donation, Endangered Breed Association has established a "Texas Fund" to accept matching funds in a special account for dog owners in Texas. The Fund can only be spent on lobbyists, attorney fees and expert testimony (if needed) in Texas. RPOA will monitor the account and report weekly to this list on the fund balance. After two years, if not spent in Texas, the balance goes back into their General Fund. EBA has been instrumental in defeating legislation in other states and we appreciate their help in these difficult times. Please send all donations to: Texas Fund Endangered Breed Association PO Box 879 Walker, LA 70785 Write on the check: For Texas Fund We'll have more to report later. If you aren't receiving our TX-RPOA E-News, email rpoa@texas.net to subscribe. Please help us in Texas as we've had several fatalities and with the media fanning the fires, the call is for Breed Specific Legislation in Texas and overturning our existing law which prohibits same. Responsible Pet Owners Alliance 900 NE Loop 410 #311-D San Antonio, TX 78209 Phone: (210) 822-6763 Fax: (210) 822-9038 Website: www. responsiblepetowner s. org $15 Annual dues (January - December) To share information, subscribe or unsubscribe, send an e-mail message to rpoa@texas.net |