Demonstrators Protest Stickland's Opposition To Anti-Animal Cruelty Bill

BEDFORD (1080 KRLD) - About 150 people walked their dogs outside the district office of State Representative Jonathan Stickland in Bedford Monday to protest his opposition to a bill that aimed to prevent animal cruelty.

The measure, SB 295, would have criminalized restraining a dog on a chain or short tether. The bill would also have required owners to provide shelter, water and food for dogs kept outside.

"We need this bill in Texas, and it's obvious the only way to get it passed is for him to be out of office," says Valerie Watson, one of the organizers of the protest.

SB 295 had passed committees in the Texas House and Senate, but Stickland used a "point of order" to keep the measure from a vote on the House floor.

In a statement last week, he called the bill "well intentioned," but said he tried unsuccessfully for months to reach the author of the bill to address "some major concerns I had with her legislation."

Stickland wanted the word, "pain," removed, saying that would have banned training collars. He says he wanted language that would apply the measure state-wide, making local ordinances null and void.

Organizers of the protest say Stickland considers dogs "property," and say they are upset he has blocked similar legislation in other sessions.

"We need somebody to be the voice for the voiceless," another protester said.

Stickland responded to the group on Facebook, urging them to reschedule. Because Monday is the last day of the session, he says his staff is in Austin.

Here's a more substantial response from Stickland on why he blocked the bill. He says the bill was "well-intentioned," but Davis refused to meet with him to talk about his concerns: pic.twitter.com/OOW17wqVeN

Stickland responded on the event's Facebook page, urging the group to reschedule after the session is over. Organizers have since removed the response: pic.twitter.com/JLYP2Ga4kK