Sorry for the multiple messages, but this news just came in. If we
defeat the Senate version we can still stop this law from passing.

If you happen to know your State Senators' name, his or her contact
info is listed below. If not, there is a link below to find it.

Please take a minute to make your voice heard, even if you already
wrote or faxed, call the office and record your name as being AGAINST
SB411. It takes 30 seconds.
------------------------
TX-RPOA E-News
From Responsible Pet Owners Alliance,

April 25, 2007
Unfortunately HB 1355 passed in the House yesterday. SB 411 is on the
Senate Floor today and is the companion bill to HB 1355.
THESE BILLS MAKE EVERY DOG OWNER IN TEXAS A POTENTIAL FELON. We need
phone calls and faxes especially to your OWN senators, and if you have
time, fax to any or all the senators listed below. This will have a
detrimental effect on dog shows or other events in Texas. The Senate
debate may go on for several days so contact them each day until
further notice.

Separating two dogs that get into a scuffle can result in a serious
bite to a person as all knowledgeable dog persons know. This could
happen while walking your dog on leash off your property if an
unrestrained dog attacks your dog. It has happened many times.

A message from Zandra Anderson and contact information for all the
senators is below. Ask your senator to read the brief that Zandra
mailed to all the senators. Ask that a first offense be a
misdemeanor, NOT a felony for a dog that has shown no previous
dangerous tendencies.
____________________________________

>From Zandra:
Please don't give up. HB 1355 was passed in the House on Tuesday. This
is not a surprise because the bill's author is a well liked
representative. We have a MUCH better chance to make a difference in
the Senate.

The companion bill, SB 411 is on the calendar to be heard today
Wednesday, 4/25/07!!!! We still can make a difference! FAX and CALL!
This is so important to your rights as a dog owner.

Remember--calling is easy! Say that you are OPPOSED to SB 411. They
keep a tally usually. Simple and easy!
Here is the link to find your Texas Senator:
http://www.senate.state.tx.us/75r/Senate/Members.htm#FYI

You can use the same letter you wrote for HB 1355 if you just change
it to SB 411. Here is a sample letter:

April 25, 2007

Senator ____________________
P.O. Box 12068
Capitol Station
Austin, Texas 78711

BY FAX: (512) ___________________

RE: Opposition to SB 411
Dear Senator _______________:

I am very supportive of responsible dog ownership, but SB411 as
written is too severe, has some other problems, and does not prevent
dog attacks from occurring.

I am opposed to SB 411 for the following reasons:

1. The civil definition of "serious bodily injury" (severe
bite wounds requiring medical attention and hospitalization) is too
broad and may create a significant increase in felons further
burdening our justice system. It was not intended for use with
felonies. The Penal Code definition should be used (injury that
causes death or creates a substantial
risk of death).

2. Making the failure to secure your dog a felony if it gets
out and causes serious bodily injury or death even if it is the first
time is too severe. This bill has been likened to the loaded gun
statute. In that statute, if a child gets hold of a loaded gun and
kills or seriously injures himself or another person, then the person
who left the gun accessible to the child can be charged with a Class A
Misdemeanor, not a felony of the second or third degree.

3. People who fail to secure their dogs may be felons (second
and third degree) and join the ranks of some murderers, rapists,
arsonists, kidnappers and robbers which shows that the offenses
suggested by this bill are too harsh.

4. Newly proposed Sec. 822.007 (Local Regulation of Dogs) is
redundant of existing state law, Sec. 822.047 with one major
exception. The language protecting against breed specific legislation
is removed. This legislative intent according to the author of SB 411
is that it is not breed specific. This creates a conflict with current
law and may create a loophole for breed specific legislation. I am
opposed to any law that is breed specific.

5. This bill can make a felon out of someone for failing to
secure
his dog on his property, but in Texas there is no state law prohibiting
dogs
from running loose which creates a conflict. There was no law against
loose
dogs in Milam County where Mrs. Stiles was killed, so this new bill
would
not prevent further cases like hers. The owner of the dogs in that case
was
tried and acquitted. How could someone be criminally negligent for not
securing his dogs on his property if state law does not prohibit dogs
from
running loose?

6. SB 411 may put the owner of a dog in prison for not securing
the
dog. In the case of the family pet, who is the owner? An entire family
could
go to prison which makes no sense.

7. A statewide prohibition on loose dogs and enforcement of at
large laws would help prevent other attacks. Proper funding of Animal
Control is essential to prevention. Also, educating people on proper
dog
ownership and the problems with loose dogs is key.
_______________________________________

Senators Contact info:
All addressed
PO Box 12068
Capitol Station
Austin, TX 78711

Kevin Eltife
Phone: (512) 463-0101
Fax: (512) 475-3751
Kevin.eltife@...

Bob Deuell
Phone: (512) 463-0102
Fax: (512) 463-7202
Bob.deuell@...

Robert Nichols
Phone: (512) 463-0103
Fax: (512) 463-1526
Robert.nichols@...

Tommy Williams
Phone: (512) 463-0104
Fax: (512) 463-6373
Tommy.williams@...

Steve Ogden
Phone: (512) 463-0105
Fax: (512) 463-5713
Steve.ogden@...

Mario Gallegos
Phone: (512) 463-0106
Fax: (512) 463-0346
Mario.gallegos@...

Dan Patrick
Phone: (512) 463-0107
Fax: (512) 463-8810
Dan.Patrick@...

Florence Shapiro
Phone: (512) 463-0108
Fax: (512) 463-7579
Florence.Shapiro@...

Chris Harris
Phone: (512) 463-0109
Fax: (512) 463-7003
Chris.harris@...

Kim Brimer
Phone: (512) 463-0110
Fax: (512) 475-3745
Kim.brimer@...

Mike Jackson
Phone: (512) 463-0111
Fax: (512) 475-3727
Mike.jackson@...

Jane Nelson
Phone: (512) 463-0112
Fax: (512) 463-0923
Jane.nelson@...

Rodney Ellis
Phone: (512) 463-0113
Fax: (512) 463-0006
Rodney.Ellis@...

Kirk Watson
Phone: (512) 463-0114
Fax: (512) 463-5949
Kirk.watson@...

John Whitmire
Phone: (512) 463-0115
Fax: (512) 475-3737
John.whitmire@...

John J. Carona
Phone: (512) 463-0116
Fax: (512) 463-3135
John.carona@...

Kyle Janek
Phone: (512) 463-0117
(800) 445-2635
Fax: (512) 463-0639
Kyle.janek@...

Glenn Hegar
Phone: (512) 463-0118
Fax: (512) 475-3736
Glenn.hegar@...

Carlos Uresti
Phone: (512) 463-0119
Fax: (512) 463-1017
Carlos.uresti@...

Juan "Chuy" Hinojosa
Phone: (512) 463-0120
Fax: (512) 463-0229
Email: juan.hinojosa@...

Judith Zaffirini
Phone: (512) 463-0121
Fax: (512) 475-3738
Judith.zaffirini@...

Kip Averitt
Phone: (512) 463-0122
Fax: (512) 475-3729
Kip.averitt@...

Royce West
Phone: (512) 463-0123
Fax: (512) 463-0299
Royce.west@...

Troy Fraser
Phone: (512) 463-0124
Fax: (512) 475-3732
Troy.fraser@...

Jeff Wentworth
Phone: (512) 463-0125
Fax: (512) 463-7794
Jeff.wentworth@...

Leticia Van de Putte
Phone: (512) 463-0126
Fax: (512) 463-2114
Leticia.vandeputte@...

Eddie Lucio, Jr.
Phone: (512) 463-0127
Fax: (512) 463-0061
Eddie.Lucio@...

Robert Duncan
Phone: (512) 463-0128
(800) 322-9538
Fax: (512) 463-2424
Robert.duncan@...

Eliot Shapleigh
Phone: (512) 463-0129
Fax: (512) 463-0218
Eliot.Shapleigh@...

Craig Estes
Phone: (512) 463-0130
Fax: (512) 463-8874
Craig.estes@...

Kel Seliger
Phone: (512) 463-0131
Fax: (512) 475-3733
Kel.seliger@...

Responsible Pet Owners Alliance
900 NE Loop 410 #311-D
San Antonio, TX 78209
Phone: (210) 822-6763
Fax: (210) 822-9038
Website: www. responsiblepetowners. org
$15 Annual dues (January - December)