Audrey White of the Texas Tribune authored this news story concerning the federal lawsuit over the Texas Puppy Mill Bill. The article reports that the Humane Society of the United States and the Texas Humane Legislation Network filed an amicus brief in the suit supporting the Bill.

The story contains a quote from a representative of the Humane Society’s Texas Branch, as well as some quotes from two breeders who are not involved in the lawsuit. Neither of the breeders quoted in the article expressed the due process concerns raised by the plaintiffs in the suit.

With respect to the plaintiffs, the article states, “calls to plaintiffs in the case were not immediately returned.”

Jim Smith, a cat breeder and one of the plaintiffs in the case, posted this response in the comments section of the online article this morning. According to Smith,

I am one of the plaintiffs in the Puppy Mill and Kitten Mill case. I was called by Ms. White and asked for comments, but I told her that because there was legal actions pending, I needed to clear things with my attorney first. He told me that there was no reason why I couldn’t address the issues, so I called Ms White back (several times), got no answer, and she never returned my call. I called her back within an hour or two of her call.

Mr. Smith went on to explain his due process concerns, saying,

There are several reasons why this is bad law. First and foremost, even a meth dealer or porn publisher is afforded more rights under Texas Law than a Kitten or Puppy Breeder. The law is written in such a way that agents from the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulations can enter my property, with or without me being present, enter my private residence, confiscate my computer, files or other property, or my animals simply on their own recognizance. They do not need a warrant, and there is no oversight by any actual law enforcement agency or court. Once they seize my animals or property, there is no appeals process developed for me to protest their actions. The TLDC can also employ "Third Party Inspectors", such as members of Animal Rights organizations to do these functions for it.

Smith also hinted that legislation of this nature could eventually effect the equine and ranching industries, stating,

HB 1451 is part of a nationwide push by animal rights organizations to deny us the ability to keep pets, have horses and ranching, rodeos and many other traditional Texas activities because it offends their vegetarian and vegan beliefs. It’s their attempt to enforce their personal and religious beliefs on the rest of us.

Horse breeders, what do you think of the new Puppy Mill Bill? I welcome you to post your thoughts and insights in the comments section to this post.