From The Texas Horsemen's forum.

[cewright]

SymRanch

Thanks for your response. Am I correct to assume you are quoting a private communication rather than a communication from an organization? I ask because my reading of the proposed changes somewhat differs from the interpretation in the message you provided. I would like to understand her analysis better.

I have also sent an email to the TTA to get a clarification on the position reported in the initial post. I will report the results.

Thanks again

Chuck

[SymRanch]

Am I correct to assume you are quoting a private communication rather than a communication from an organization?

Yes, that was taken from an email between 2 friends/colleagues. I know she IS passionate about these issues, which is why I felt it would be OK to post. (I hope she's not going to be upset with me!!!)

I saw the OP's post on this, and noted that it varied from Dawn's take on this issue. I certainly am not saying her viewpoint is correct -- just that she is generally well-informed on current legislative issues that impact equine issues in TX.

Does anyone know what happened in that 3/20 meeting referenced in the original post?

[cewright]

Thanks SymRanch

Since it is a private communication I will respect it as such and will not contact her directly to ask for a clarification. Instead I will point out there is a discrepancy between my analysis and her analysis (and she is the lawyer):

"The Bill (HB 2328) seeks to have horses removed from the Livestock exception
to Section 4209 of the Texas Penal Code (the animal cruelty statute) for the
FOR PURPOSES OF INTENTIONAL ANIMAL CRUELTY ONLY!"

My interpretation is the bill eliminates the livestock exemption altogether and extends the cruelty protection to all livestock including cattle, swine, etc as well as horses.

In my humble opinion this change is not a bad thing. But I am not at all sure what the ramifications are with all livestock included. I would appreciate any clarifications you may become aware of as the process unfolds.

Thanks

Chuck

[SymRanch]

Interestingly, even the TTA seems to agree with my friend's analysis.

I got this in an email today from another friend of mine, who works at the TTA (I contacted his, as I couldn't find ANY position statement on this issue on the TTA website):

"As for HB 2328, the bill as it is currently written does not reclassify horses as non-livestock, however, at the hearing on Tuesday there were some groups who attempted to have that changed so that horses would not be classified as livestock. I'm not a lawyer obviously, and your friend could very well be right that changing the classification in a cruelty bill would not directly change the agricultural exemption, but such a change to the bill could be the first step in making that happen and getting horses classified as "companion animals." And that could definitely impact the ag exemption. So TTA does support the bill in its current form, we just don't support any attempt to reclassify horses as non-livestock."

With this, I think one can re-read the OP and see that the issue is one of "slippery slope" rather than a direct impact of this legislation. Much as many people in Pflugerville opposed the race track license 2 years ago because it would allow for VLTs (currently illegal in the state of TX!), there are many legislative efforts between this action and the feared repercussions. It's good to be aware that there are steps that MIGHT happen after this legislation, and to be vigilant in watching for those possibilities, but one does not appear to directly cause the other.

[cewright]

Thanks I think we are all pretty much in agreement on the current bill as it is presently written.

Let's hope those with other agendas don't hijack the discussion.

Chuck

[Bedouwia]

It appears that folks on this forum have been well informed, and up to date on the latest. However, continued attention is perhaps warranted, especially in the final days of the legislative session when things can get a little crazy. This is the latest news from the TTA, who have been very good on keeping us informed. Their update is copied below.

Update on HB 2328
On March 20, the House Jurisprudence Committee heard testimony regarding House Bill 2328, filed by Rep. Beverly Woolley, relating to the offenses of cruelty to livestock and non-livestock animals. Rep. Woolley laid out the bill for the Committee, after which public testimony was heard.

Speakers in support of the bill with its present language defining horses as livestock included a representative of the Animal Legal Defense Fund, a representative of the Harris County District Attorney’s office, and Jackie Rich, D.V.M., on behalf of the Texas Thoroughbred Association.

Speakers in favor of the bill, but only with the provision removing horses from the livestock classification, included a representative of the Texas Humane Legislation Network and Steven Long, editor of Texas Horse Talk.

The Texas Thoroughbred Association opposes any change to the bill that reclassifies horses as non-livestock. Such a change could lead to horses being defined as “companion animals” and could remove the agricultural exemption for horse farms in Texas.

As it stands now, there is no provision in the bill to reclassify horses and the bill is pending in the committee. The TTA and many of its members have made their feelings known about any changes to the bill. At this point, it is not necessary to continue contacting your legislators.


Bedouwia