No to HB1982

We the undersigned call on the "The commissioners court" to deny the bill HB1982 Re: that it is discriminatory and un-necessary.

Local governments can already pass laws like this, and even under state law a dog does not have to bite someone to be declared ‘dangerous.’”It would allow dogs to be declared “vicious” and face the same sanctions as “dangerous” dogs without ever being at large or causing injury. In addition, HB1982 prohibits dogs over 40 lbs. from being off-lead in cities over one million people.

There are no exceptions for legal dog parks, hunting dogs, competitions, Police search and rescue dogs, Mascotts,etc.

. Under HB 1982, “vicious” means: “…because of the dog ’s physical nature and vicious propensity is capable of inflicting serious bodily injury, as that term is defined by Section 822.001, or death to human beings and constitutes a danger to human life or property…” HB 1982 allows a dog to be declared vicious without ever leaving its kennel, yard, or other enclosure.

Yet, a dog declared vicious would therefore face almost certain euthanasia because few people can comply with the special insurance requirements or afford to pay the impound fees to reclaim the dog.

We the undersigned feel that this new bill is discriminatory and we ask that you take into consideration that not all dogs are bad...