Dog Tethering Bill Pending in WA - Call Your Reps!

[KillBilly]

HB 1755 is not scheduled for a vote again today

[huntrights]

HB1755 Dog Tethering Bill has not gone away!  The same holds true for its companion Bill, SB5649.

 “2012 2ND SPECIAL SESSION  Apr 11 By resolution, reintroduced and retained in present status.”

I am not sure how the legislative process works at this point, but these Bills are not dead.

Read the Bills.  If these Bills are passed, at some point in time, virtually every dog owner is likely to violate some portion of these Bills.  This is badly written legislation; it is NOT needed, and can very easily be abused if passed.

Relevant laws already in place are within these RCW chapters:

Chapter 16.52 RCW
Prevention of cruelty to animals

Chapter 16.08 RCW
Dogs (formerly dangerous dogs)

Chapter 9.08 RCW
Animals, crimes relating to


Link to the Washington State Legislature page pertaining to HB1755 and SB5649
http://apps.leg.wa.gov/billinfo/summary.aspx?bill=1755&year=2011

http://apps.leg.wa.gov/billinfo/summary.aspx?bill=5649&year=2011

Links to the Bills
http://apps.leg.wa.gov/documents/billdocs/2011-12/Pdf/Bills/House%20Bills/1755-S.pdf

http://apps.leg.wa.gov/documents/billdocs/2011-12/Pdf/Bills/Senate%20Bills/5649-S.pdf

Link to the Bill Analysis:
http://apps.leg.wa.gov/documents/billdocs/2011-12/Pdf/Bill%20Reports/House/1755%20HBR%20JUDI%2012.pdf

http://apps.leg.wa.gov/documents/billdocs/2011-12/Pdf/Bills/Senate%20Bills/5649-S.pdf

The AVMA DOES NOT endorse this legislation.

Since the AVMA was mentioned at the beginning of the Bill Analysis; I contacted the AVMA to inquire about the reference to them.  AVMA response (this is not a quote): They [AVMA] have not taken a position on legislation related to tethering because there have been no valid scientific studies producing valid data establishing exactly what tethering practices are detrimental to a dog.  It appears that the information about tethering legislation in other states that was referred to in the Bill Analysis was obtained from the AVMA web site where they [AVMA] have listed such legislation.  Reference to the AVMA in the beginning of the Bill Analysis does not constitute their endorsement of the Bill; if such endorsement is implied by the writers of the bill or others, the AVMA said they will contact those making such claim and have them correct that misinterpretation.

If you need to hear for yourselves; call them:
AVMA's Department of State Legislative and Regulatory Affairs:
Phone: 847-285-6780


These are the sponsors of HB1755:
Representatives Goodman, Fitzgibbon, Dunshee, Springer, Anderson, Dickerson, Hunt

These are the sponsors of the companion Bill SB5649:
Senators Harper, Shin, Murray, Nelson, Pridemore, Chase, Kohl-Welles, Kline

Write your representatives and ask them to oppose HB1755 and SB5649.

http://apps.leg.wa.gov/districtfinder/

[blackdog]

technically its not dead, but its dead. Look for a new Bill to be introduced next session in January. Now its time to focus on candidates and where they stand on your issues.

[TWG2A]

We can bet this piece of "legislation" will rear it's ugly head again, under a different guise.

I have a lot of WA people on my email distribution. I'll make sure they see this and get involved.

"The only power any government has is the power to crack down on criminals. Well, when there aren't enough criminals, one makes them. One declares so many things to be a crime that it becomes impossible for men to live without breaking laws."
~Ayn Rand

[pianoman9701]

There are other issues to go after right now. This one is off the docket. When you flood people with information about bills they won't be able to find, they'll start to tune you out. IMO, we should be concentrating on getting the right people elected in November and on the UN Small Arms Treaty.

[huntrights]

I have been told that these bills or something very similar is likely surface again during the next legislative session.  Watch for it and be ready to react.

“2012 2ND SPECIAL SESSION  Apr 11 By resolution, reintroduced and retained in present status.”

Since this legislative session is now over, we appear to have a reprieve.

Take note of who sponsored these Bills when you are casting your votes in the election this year; they will NOT get my vote.

[TWG2A]

There are other issues to go after right now. This one is off the docket. When you flood people with information about bills they won't be able to find, they'll start to tune you out. IMO, we should be concentrating on getting the right people elected in November and on the UN Small Arms Treaty.

I, and my Friends, are multitaskers.  We can fight this before it comes to a head.

The best way to avoid an asteroid is to blast it before it hits.

[blackdog]

twg2a is correct, candidates will be making commitments to interest groups now, blast away and ensure they are committed to your interests.

[huntrights]

I have just received some information regarding the legislative process associated with HB1755 and SB5649.  Here is the information I received:
 
“Since the session ended before any action could be taken on either bill they are considered dead bills.  In order for any further action to be taken, a New Bill with a New Number would have to be authored by a Sponsor and introduced at the 2013 legislative session. We will have to watch for a New Bill from  Goodman, Fitzgibbon, Dunshee, Springer, Anderson, Dickerson, Hunt on the House side or Harper, Shin, Murray, Nelson, Pridemore, Chase, Kohl-Welles, Kline on the Senate side. Unless elections change some of these names, they are the most probable culprits to keep an eye on. As a matter of fact, Hans Dunshee is probably the Hunters greatest enemy in Washington.”


I agree with Blackdog and TWG2A; letting our representatives know there is significant opposition to this type invasive and unnecessary legislation may discourage any future support when the pushers of this legislation try to slip it in under the radar again in 2013.  It doesn't hurt to be proactive on issues like this, especially when we believe there is a good chance of it resurfacing in the next session.  By the way, the 2013 legislative session starts in January, so it’s not that far off.

[huntrights]

Attempts to enact tethering laws are happening around the country. 

http://www.ussportsmen.org/legislative-action/delaware-anti-tethering-bill-introduced/

This appears to be a planned, national attack on dog owners.  Which organizations are pushing this legislation behind the scenes?  I wonder if the sponsors of these bills would be willing to reveal who is pushing this type of extremely restrictive legislation.