32. HB 1451 - Hegar Amendment

Motion to Table; May 23, 2011; Journal Page 3124: 17 Yeas, 14 Nays

YCT Nay on Motion to Table.  HB 1451 created new licensing requirements and regulations on dog and cat breeders.  Floor amendment 3 would have allowed breeders to provide veterinary care as needed to maintain the good health of each animal, rather than requiring them to provide at least one annual veterinary examination.  YCT opposes unnecessary licensing and regulation and encourages any opportunity to ease existing regulations.  Animal breeders have a property interest in maintaining the health of their animals and should be trusted to provide adequate care, as it is needed to maintain good health.  Furthermore, many regulations, such as this annual visit requirement, appear to exist not for their stated goal of ensuring good health among animals, but rather to ensure a steady flow of business to favored industries, such as veterinarians.