Texas governor vetoes bill protecting dogs from abuse

[Judi Lynn]

Source: Guardian


Greg Abbott’s decision surprises lawmakers after bill passed legislature with bipartisan support

Sarah Betancourt
@sweetadelinevt
Tue 22 Jun 2021 16.59 EDT

The governor of Texas has pulled a surprise move, vetoing a bipartisan bill that would have provided greater protections for dogs against human abuse.

The Republican governor, Greg Abbott, vetoed a bill on Friday that would have made unlawful restraint of a dog a criminal offense, sending animal rights activists and legislators on both sides of the aisle into a fray and spurring the hashtag #AbbottHatesDogs.

State senate bill 474, dubbed the Safe Outdoor Dogs Act, aimed to ban the use of heavy chains to keep dogs tethered. The bill had bipartisan support in the legislature, passing the house 83-32 and the senate 28-3.

In his veto, Abbott said state statutes already existed to protect dogs from animal cruelty, and the penalties proposed in the bill of $500 to $2,000, and jail time of up to 180 days, were excessive. The bill said that dog owners could have dogs outside but could not restrain them with short lines and chains or anything that could cause injury and pain to the dog.

Read more: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/jun/22/texas-governor-dogs-bill-veto

[Hugh_Lebowski]

1. If somebody (not me) were to chain up Abbott in their backyard for a spell

I have to say I wouldn't be too broken up about it.

[LiberalFighter]

5. Just lock the doors so he can't go into a building.

He wouldn't last long.

[LetMyPeopleVote]

2. "Anti-voting rights, pro-animal cruelty" is a bold re-election message.

Link to tweet

[PatSeg]

15. It seems, he is trying for

"Worst governor of Texas" ever status. Lately, the Abbott stories have been nonstop.

[Midnight Writer]

3. Working his base. I bet not a man in Texas who chains his dog outside with no water or shelter

would dream of voting for anyone but a Republican.

[burrowowl]

4. I think you are right!

[oldsoftie]

9. Who's responsible for most dog fighting?

The same people who chain their dogs. I'm in Ga; the people here arent much different from the people in Texas. And if you'd seen the people who chain up their dogs here, you'd rethink that. I've taken dogs from people on several occasions and only one of them fit that description. Not to mention how many get arrested for animal cruelty
Poor treatment of animals goes across all political lines.
And never trust a man who hates cats.

[ForgoTheConsequence]

13. "Who's responsible for most dog fighting?"

You tell us...

[oldsoftie]

16. Look up the arrests & stories. Plenty of data out there.

Plain to see. Post it here?

[ForgoTheConsequence]

18. You made the statement I want to hear it from you.

Who is responsible for most dog fighting?

[billh58]

19. It appears that several professional athletes are fans of dog fighting

Among those linked to dog fighting is Doug Atkins an NFL player who was an enthusiastic participator in dog fighting,[33] and LeShon Johnson, a former NFL running back who received a five-year deferred sentence in 2005 after officials seized 200 dogs during a raid of his dog fighting operation that led to 20 people being convicted in Oklahoma.[34] Former National Basketball Association forward Qyntel Woods, pleaded guilty to animal abuse in 2005 at his home in Portland, Oregon.[32] Former Dallas Cowboys lineman Nate Newton was arrested at a dogfight in Texas, although charges were later dropped.[34]

In the late 2000s, NFL quarterback Michael Vick was linked to property in southeastern Virginia where authorities believe a multi-state dog fighting operation was based. In an interview with WAVY-TV, Portsmouth, Virginia, Washington Redskins running back Clinton Portis and a teammate, offensive tackle Chris Samuels, defended Vick. Portis said that if Vick is charged and convicted of dog fighting, "then you're putting him behind bars for no reason. I don't know if he was fighting dogs or not, but it's his property. It's his dog. If that's what he wants to do, do it." Those comments were sharply criticized by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell.[35] The Redskins and Portis himself later apologized, stating that his controversial remarks about dog fighting were insensitive and that he now realizes he "shouldn't have made the comments." He added, "At that time I had no idea the love people have for animals, and I didn't consider it when I made those comments." [36]

New York Animal Control Officer Kleinfelder says, "For pro athletes, it's not about the money ... Instead of boxers just beating up on each other, they want to see it go to the death, and with dogs they can let it go that far. To them, dogs are expendable."[30]

Rhonda Evans is a sociologist and associate professor in the department of criminal justice at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette who has published four academic articles on dog fighting. She stated in a story published by the Palm Beach Post that she had found that owners of high-dollar fighting dogs spanned all walks of life and social classes, with a common link of "a machismo mentality." Evans said "For them, tough dogs are a symbol of manhood... and by winning, the dogs build up their owners' ego. They see it as a valid, legitimate sport that is no worse than boxing or football."[34]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dog_fighting_in_the_United_States

It stands to reason that people who are cruel to dogs (heavy chains, no water, etc.) would not be adverse to dog fighting.

[Rhiannon12866]

6. Even Governor Pataki, not my favorite New York governor, signed "Buster's Law"

Last edited Wed Jun 23, 2021, 04:37 AM - Edit history (2)

(A New York anti animal cruelty law named after a horrific case of an abused cat) live on the Albany Channel 10 News in 1999. The Channel 10 News has a bi-weekly "Pet Connection" segment hosted by animal advocate Chief Meteorologist Steve Caporizzo, and that's where I found my beloved dog, Barney, in 1994.

[nuxvomica]

7. Abbott, the ever-grinning monster

He's one of the more twisted Republicans, and that's saying a lot.

[bucolic_frolic]

8. People with repressed anger should not hold public office

[oldsoftie]

10. If the outrage is bipartisan, override his veto

Slap him

[joetheman]

11. Well, that ought to do it for him. Many people of the RW value dogs over humans.

This will turn a number of them against him.

[Hortensis]

12. :) #Abbotthatesdogs is trending on right and left.

[Harker]

14. Who is he pandering to with this?

He's barking mad.

[ananda]

17. This will not sit well in Austin.

Austin is dog and speedbump city and a haven
for tattoo artistry.

[madinmaryland]

20. Fuckabee is governor of texass?