On any bill listed below, you can go to: http://wapp.capitol.tn.gov/apps/billsearch/BillSearch.aspx to search the text, history and other information about any proposed bill but links to both the House and Senate updates on each bill can be found below each bill along with our position on said bill.

HB0113/SB0041 - Animals and Animal Cruelty - As introduced, deletes provisions relative to state licensing of dog and cat dealers. - Amends TCA Title 44, Chapter 17.

RAOT NOTE:  Has nothing to do with state licensing of dog and cat dealers, it is to do with dangerous dogs and, once again, they blame animals for their natural behaviors rather than blaming animal owners for failing to be responsible.  There is no exclusion for animals defending their owners and/or owners’ property.

HB0385/SB0182- Animals and Animal Cruelty - As introduced, enacts the "Tennessee Animal Abuser Registration, Tracking and Verification Act." - Amends TCA Title 40, Chapter 39.

RAOT NOTE: These people need help, mental help - if they get it they should not have their names posted on the Internet - if they don't get help, post away.

Senate: http://wapp.capitol.tn.gov/apps/BillInfo/Default.aspx?BillNumber=SB0182

HB0386/SB0258 - AN ACT to protect consumers from purchasing unhealthy companion animals by regulating commercial breeders. Animals and Animal Cruelty - As introduced, enacts the "Commercial Breeder Act." - Amends TCA Title 47, Chapter 18, Part 1; Title 39, Chapter 14, Part 2; and Title 44, Chapter 17.

RAOT NOTE: The more onerous provisions re confiscation and "moral character" have been removed; however, the bill still prohibits commercial breeders from playing a key role in a shelter or rescue and has a 20 female animal limit.

Senate: http://wapp.capitol.tn.gov/apps/BillInfo/Default.aspx?BillNumber=SB0258

HB0413/SB0538- Animals and Animal Cruelty - As introduced, deletes requirement persons selling dogs and cats at a flea market obtain a license as a dealer from the department of agriculture. - Amends TCA Title 44, Chapter 17, Part 1.

RAOT NOTE: Some of the fears we have about the proposed commercial breeder law are REALIZED in this amendment as they attempt to lower the number of animals that trigger the law and raise the fee for the required license as we predicted at the time this bill was enacted into law. And, Senator Jackson tells us we are paranoid to believe this can happen?

Senate: http://wapp.capitol.tn.gov/apps/BillInfo/Default.aspx?BillNumber=SB0538

House: http://wapp.capitol.tn.gov/apps/BillInfo/Default.aspx?BillNumber=HB0413

HB0422/SB0435- Animals and Animal Cruelty - As introduced, deletes provisions relative to state licensing of dog and cat dealers. - Amends TCA Title 44, Chapter 17.

RAOT NOTE: These bills are substantially the same as HB113/SB0041 and appear to be a "backup plan." Our concerns are the same as they are relative to the other two bills.

Senate: http://wapp.capitol.tn.gov/apps/BillInfo/Default.aspx?BillNumber=SB0435

House: http://wapp.capitol.tn.gov/apps/BillInfo/Default.aspx?BillNumber=HB0422 

HB0539/SB0675- Animal Control - As introduced, requires that forfeited amounts from deposits paid to agencies to ensure that adopted dogs and cats are spayed or neutered be used to conduct programs to spay and neuter dogs and cats in the community where the agency is located instead of being used to conduct educational programs in support of spaying and neutering. - Amends TCA Title 44, Chapter 17, Part 5.

RAOT NOTE:  Support..

Senate: http://wapp.capitol.tn.gov/apps/BillInfo/Default.aspx?BillNumber=SB0675

House: http://wapp.capitol.tn.gov/apps/BillInfo/Default.aspx?BillNumber=HB0539

HB0544/SB0410- Tort Liability and Reform - As introduced, exempts persons from civil liability for rendering or obtaining medical care or treatment to certain animals under specified circumstances. - Amends TCA Title 29, Chapter 34, Part 2.

RAOT NOTE: We support these bills but would like to see it specifically EXCLUDE sterilization as a necessary medical procedure.

Senate: http://wapp.capitol.tn.gov/apps/BillInfo/Default.aspx?BillNumber=SB0410

House: http://wapp.capitol.tn.gov/apps/BillInfo/Default.aspx?BillNumber=HB0544

HB0626/SB0391 - Animals and Animal Cruelty - As introduced, provides that in animal cruelty prosecutions, if the defendant does not post court-ordered security to pay for expense of caring for the animal within 72 hours, animal is forfeited and defendant loses all ownership rights.

RAOT NOTE: Seventy-two (72) hours is inadequate given the propensities of certain over-zealous animal control officers more sympathetic to animals than owners. The taking of an individual's property is a serious infringement of their constitutional rights and should not be undertaken lightly, especially if a person is ultimately found innocent of the charges that were initially used to "justify" the confiscation.

Senate: http://wapp.capitol.tn.gov/apps/BillInfo/Default.aspx?BillNumber=SB0391

House: http://wapp.capitol.tn.gov/apps/BillInfo/Default.aspx?BillNumber=HB0626

HB1433/SB1322 - Animals and Animal Cruelty - As introduced, creates Class B fine only offenses of selling live animals on public streets, parks and for business to offer live animal as prize or for promotional purposes; places safeguards on sale of animals at flea markets.

RAOT NOTE: This bill is long overdue BUT we have concerns that it defines a "wild animal" as any animal which is now or historically has been found in the wild, or in the wild state. Any hybrid cross resulting from the cross breeding between two (2) different species or types of animals, including crosses between wild animal species and domestic animals such as dog-wolf crosses, are considered wild animals. It goes on to prohibit a variety of activities including but not limited to "knowingly offer an animal for the purpose of promoting any business, sale activity or other promotional use," which we believe is subject to such broad interpretation that it could prevent, for example, kennel clubs holding dog shows which promote the club's business. Finally, we wonder what it does not specifically exclude rescue-related adoption events hosted by non-profit or 501(c)(3) organizations to promote the adoption of animals.

HB1731/SB1549 - Boards and Commissions - As introduced, enacts the "Tennessee Pet Groomers Act". - Amends TCA Title 62.

RAOT NOTE: Once again, we support the goal of this bill; however, it contains wording that will negatively impact owners, breeders, and exhibitors. We want any and all such wording deleted, including wording in the definition of "'Kennel' which is defined to mean any premises, other than doggie day care (and we are not sure why they should not be included), wherein any person who may engage in the business of boarding, grooming, breeding, buying, letting for hire, training for a fee or selling dogs. "Kennel" may also mean a place where four (4) or more cats or dogs, or any combination of four (4) such animals, are kept, whether by the owners of the animals or by other persons, with or without compensation;" which need to be deleted. Any and all parts of the bills that relate to any activities taking place "without compensation" should be deleted.

Senate: http://wapp.capitol.tn.gov/apps/BillInfo/Default.aspx?BillNumber=SB1549

House: http://wapp.capitol.tn.gov/apps/BillInfo/Default.aspx?BillNumber=HB1731

HB1884/SB1481 - Animals and Animal Cruelty - As introduced, requires landlords and mortgage holders to notify animal control entity or animal shelter if vacated property contains abandoned animals. - Amends TCA Title 39, Chapter 14, Part 2.

RAOT NOTE: We support these bills as written.

HB2180/SB 2183 - Animals and Animal Cruelty - As introduced, removes the requirement for county agricultural extension agents to investigate allegations of cruelty to livestock animals.

RAOT NOTE: What gives with this? Please, somebody, tell us they aren't wanting to take away the authority for Ag Agents to investigate cruelty to livestock animals and save their jobs by having them investigate breeders?