Sample Letter:

The Honorable Al Edwards
4913 Griggs Road
Houston, TX 77021

(date)

Dear Representative Edwards:

This letter is in response to the proposed legislation regarding regulating vicious dogs with the use of breed specific legislation in the state of Texas.

To say "Pit Bulls", Rottweilers and other specific breeds are dangerous does not address the real problem - irresponsible owners.  The state of Texas needs non-breed specific legislation that is competent to regulate the irresponsible owners and protect those who maintain their dogs safely and humanely.  Under breed-specific laws, criminal, neglectful owners continue to own and mistreat specific breeds because this element of society does not care about liability insurance or the law. They will just find another breed of dog to abuse- one not included in the law.

 

The State of Texas could better address the root cause of the problem by increasing funding for local animal control departments, animal shelters, education, and spay/neuter programs. Local governments clearly need more funding and manpower in order to enforce leash laws and to reduce the number of stray, abused, neglected and homeless animals. ANY dog can become a problem for the public if the dog is allowed to run loose and is not supervised.

 

As a responsible owner, I ask you to seriously consider the impact of breed-specific legislation. (Optional: A brief explanation of how this affects your family. If you are a constituent - a person residing in the distinct - say so)

Thank you for taking the time to read my concerns regarding this issue.

 

Sincerely,

(your name)

Copy:
(your local State Rep. if you live outside the district)

Who is my Texas State Representative through the end of 2004?

Enter your address here: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/fyi/fyi.htm

 

How do I find out if my State Rep was re-elected and will serve starting 2005? 

Look it up here: http://elections.sos.state.tx.us