Evidently, this isn’t a MAGA-Democrat thing because the dog cruelty law at the center of this controversy was passed by Texas’s very Republican-led Senate. It is a Governor Greg Abbot thing, who vetoed the law. It is worth noting that Greg Abbot is a hardcore Trumper. We have no idea whether it is related to what we wrote over the weekend when we reminded people that Trump hates dogs and that, perhaps, Democrats are more appreciative of “Man and Woman’s best friend” because it can be about compassion and appreciation for “others.”
But this isn’t something that should be a MAGA-Democratic thing because animal cruelty is abhorrent and anyone who believes that it’s not is dangerous in our mind. One would hope that the law would keep the wrong people from owning a dog in the first place.
This is offensive:
Abbott also vetoed a bill Friday that would have banned tethering dogs outside with heavy chains, earning him the ire of dog owners and the hashtag #AbbottHatesDogs, the Houston Chronicle reported Monday [1]. The bill, which would have expanded and clarified the state’s animal cruelty laws, had the support of animal control officers, law enforcement agencies and organizations, county prosecutors, and advocates for animals, and it passed 28-3 in the Senate and 83-32 in the House.
The vote was not close, not at all. It is disturbing to see a governor whip a veto pen out on a bill that passed 28-3 in the senate. It is clearly something that the legislature can override and we hope that they will.
The matter infuriated Twitter and Greg Abbot powerfully trended:
My wife works with dog rescue. A chained-dog law is needed is because ppl leave dogs chained constantly – with occasional water. As dog grows, chain digs into a neck & is covered with fur, causing enormous pain & requiring surgery sometimes to remove. GQP cheers. #AbbottHatesDogs [2]
— Kurt Eichenwald (@kurteichenwald) June 22, 2021 [3]
#AbbottHatesDogs [2]. He said it's "micromanaging" passing a law preventing people from chaining their dogs outside all day/night without food water in the sweltering heat. Preventing animal cruelty to Abbot is micromanaging? 😡Numerous vetoes that upset me! https://t.co/xiiAu0f6D5 [4]
— Dawn (@Dawn73Nigel) June 22, 2021 [5]
This was one of 18 dogs chained up in a yard, & he was too scared to go near anyone. Nephew Dylan coaxed him out of his hiding place so a rescue group could take him to a cozier home.
Dogs know who the good people are. #AbbottHatesDogs [2] pic.twitter.com/mFnsezsdym [6]— Lynne Kelly 🐘🐳 (@LynneKelly) June 22, 2021 [7]
i was chained dog until #soulmate [8] rescue me
bad ppls chop off my tail
they starve me: i was 35 pounds
now i healthy 70 pounds#AbbottHatesDogs [2] https://t.co/LWK9MpGKIw [9] pic.twitter.com/i68qFyAHwc [10]
— Levi of Pennsylvania 🐶 (@LeviFetterman) June 22, 2021 [11]
Greg Abbott vetoed a bill that would've ensured protection for dogs left in extreme weather conditions.
In wake of this news, we're sending our best wishes to Snowflake, Ted Cruz's dog, who was left in the cold while the Senator fled for Cancun. #AbbottHatesDogs [2]
— Texas Democrats (@texasdemocrats) June 22, 2021 [12]
Greg Abbott not only doesn't care if his citizens freeze or roast to death because of their failing power grid…he also vetoed a bill prohibiting people from chaining dogs outside in terrible conditions. #AbbottHatesDogs [2]
— Rex Zane (@rexzane1) June 22, 2021 [13]
Never trust a man who's ok with kicking dogs.
#AbbottHatesDogs [2]
— Chris Hahn (@ChristopherHahn) June 22, 2021 [14]
What kind of monster vetoes an anti-cruelty bill that would’ve banned tethering dogs outside with heavy chains. #AbbottHatesDogs [2]
— anyone_want_chips (@anyonewantchips) June 22, 2021 [15]
Rescued both these girls from chains last year in Houston and Austin. #Abbotthatesdogs [16] pic.twitter.com/YY33oV2fRf [17]
— Jay (@Alpha_Animosity) June 22, 2021 [18]
It's not surprising that #AbbottHatesDogs [2], Trump hates dogs too like all the other worst people https://t.co/4UPQqA8KRe [19]
— Tara Dublin, Untapped Writing Goldmine #SignTara (@taradublinrocks) June 21, 2021 [20]
#AbbottHatesDogs [2] is trending! Guess what dogs don't care about you either Abbott!#TeamDogs [21]🐶 pic.twitter.com/8aFox4Q9JT [22]
— Lopez🕊 (@LopezLovinLife) June 22, 2021 [23]
You get the picture, it is hard to do many more because we at this site love dogs and they are an important part of our lives. It is infuriating.
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Peace, y’all
Jason
[email protected] and on Twitter @JasonMiciak