Alliance members , Amendment 667 was adopted , which removed that deletion and returned the exemption for hunters and trainers that was originally written into law .
Similarly , New Mexico Senate Bill 429 first proposed a blanket tethering ban , then amended language allowed for some “ dog sports ” but didn ’ t define what those were , leaving hunters , trainers and field trailers exposed . Thankfully , the ambiguous bill died in committee .
NO STATE OR DOG HUNTER IS SAFE FROM THE INSIDIOUS PUSH BY ANIMAL-RIGHTS ORGANIZATIONS TO END THE BREEDING AND USE OF DOGS .
DISMISSING DOG LAWYERS It ’ s one of the craziest topics the Sportsmen ’ s Alliance has seen recently : legal representation in a court of law for dogs , cats and other animals . It ’ s also the epitome of the animal-rights belief system — humans interpreting what animals think , feel and want , and representing those interests on their behalf . It ’ s not unheard of , however .
In 2016 , Connecticut was the first state in the nation to pass a law allowing a judge to appoint a volunteer lawyer or a supervised law student to represent a cat or dog in an animal-abuse case . Sticking with the known game plan of incremental destruction of animal ownership , animal-rights extremists returned earlier this year with Senate Bill 1060 , which opened court representation to all animals , not just cats and dogs . Illinois followed Connecticut ’ s trajectory with a similar bill earlier this year .
More recently , Florida saw the Civil Justice Subcommittee pass House Bill 989 , which would have provided a cat or dog legal representation in criminal court . Rightfully so , the bill died in the next committee . introduced , but after hearing from the Sportsmen ’ s Alliance and our members , they were amended to our satisfaction .
TUSSLING OVER TETHERING For sporting dog owners , especially bird dog and hound owners , tethering isn ’ t a lifelong endeavor , but it is a necessary way of life . For bird dog and hound hunters , trainers and field trial participants , stake-out chains with short drop chains are the most efficient way to have a string of dogs off the truck and out of their boxes . It allows for time outside , bathroom breaks and feeding / watering without dogs getting tangled or running loose . However , drop chains on stake-out chains are legally considered tethers and are subject to enforcement as such .
Nevada faced a blanket ban on tethering , specifically deleting an exemption for hunting and training , after Senate Bill 269 was introduced . Again , after pushback from Sportsmen ’ s
FIGHTING FORFEITURE Perhaps the most toxic state in the Union currently for sportsmen , Washington state is passing every draconian law it can invent . Assaults are coming from every angle , and sporting dogs are no exception . House Bill 1234 , which was signed into law by Gov . Inslee , is an affront to the basic protection of innocent until proven guilty as it requires an accused pet owner , prior to adjudication , to fund 30 days of the cost of care for any animal seized , and to continue posting additional bonds until the charges have been adjudicated . Failure to pay the cost of care , before proven guilty , will result in the forfeiture of the animal . Even if the charges are dropped or if the accused is found not guilty , a person might get a refund of the cost of care money , and he might have the animal returned . Or he might not .
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