Virginia Hunting Dog Owner's Association

----- Original Message -----
From: vhdoa@mailman.montana.com
To: S_VHDOA
Sent: Tuesday, February 07, 2006 8:58 AM
Subject: Quick 2/7 General Assembly Update

A VHDOA message to dog owning sportsmen about protecting their traditions, avocations and livelihoods from anti-hunting, anti-breeding, animal guardianship advocates. Forwarding and cross posting, with attribution, encouraged.
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We've made wonderful progress!

HB1039 was reported yesterday by House Courts and referred to the Appropriations Ctme! HB1039's fiscal impact is infinitesimal compared to the broader, poorly structured HB340 Dangerous Dog Owner Penalty Bill. This should increase the likelihood of a thorough review of HB340, but doesn't guarantee it. Please increase your general House-wide, Speaker and Appropriations Chairman calls and emails for such a detailed HB340 fiscal review. An amended HB1039 must be the survivor House bill.

HB339 - Animal Owner Mandated Public Database is still on House floor. Yesterday it was amended to delete all references to cats and their owners. This bill is tipping and needs a final shove today. Make your calls to the 1-800-889-0229 number and ask your delegate to vote NO on HB339. Your address is all the information the operators need. No pet owner should have his personal information placed in a Big Brother database, accessible by commercial interests and anti-pet zealots.

SJ166-HJ116-HJ209 still hang in the balance before the two chamber's Rules Committees. Should these bills be reported, they will pass on the respective floors. House Rules meets on 2/8; Senate Rules meets on 2/10. See http://vhdoa.uplandbirddog.com/VA.AG.Ctmes.html

HB362 - The Game and Fisheries Department Reform Bill was amended on the House floor to include a requirement that the DGIF Director's appointment be reconfirmed by the General Assembly every four years. The amended bill passed 99-0.

Other bill updates are available at http://vhdoa.uplandbirddog.com/staterk.html

Please forward and cross post widely. We've only a day left to address the active bills.

Bob Kane
Virginia Hunting Dog Owners' Association
http://vhdoa.uplandbirddog.com/ __________________________________________________________________________________________________________
The message above was posted to Virginia residents by the Virginia Hunting Dog Owners' Association (VHDOA).

VHDOA is a nonpartisan volunteer group working to protect sportsmen and hunting dog owners from the legislative and political threats of radical animal rightists. We lobby the General Assembly and Congress, when necessary. It is the largest Virginia organization fighting this struggle and has an established record of accomplishments for both sportsmen and dog owners in these arenas. Visit our website at http://vhdoa.uplandbirddog.com/ for our mission statement, goals, legislative track record and elist signup details.

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