The state of Texas offers significant tax breaks for land owners who put livestock on their property. Because of this, it is very common to drive down the street and see any number of cows, horses, etc. in small fields on the side of the road with ribs sticking out, obviously being ignored and dying of hunger. They are of no use to the land owners until tax season, when they provide the benefit of a large tax write off. Herds of animals are not fed, even in winter when grass does not grow. Depending on the size of the land plots and the size of the herds, even in summer the animals will keep the grass trimmed to the point where they need their diets supplemented. Too many Texans, particuarly those in the south of the state where the weather is more tropical, think that it is not necessary to feed their livestock, yet even in Houston the grass quits growing in winter. The roads in Texas are lined with small fields where horses and cows can be seen at any time of day eating around their own feces to try to trim centimeters of grass off the ground to stay alive. The thousands of animals that die of starvation are only replaced with more animals that will not be taken care of because unfortunately, it is cheaper to buy new animals than to feed the ones currently owned or to pay taxes on property.
This petition is ask the Texas State Legislature to recognize that neglecting livestock while using using it for a tax break is wrong, and that an enforcing body needs to be created to make sure that the animals are of legitimate use to the farmers and ranchers, and that they aren't living their short, hungry lives for nothing but a tax cut. Livestock should not be kept for tax breaks unless a legitimate use and proof of adaquate care can be provided.
People who don't live in Texas can help by telling the Texas State Legislature that they won't contribute tourism dollars to a state that does not ensure the well-being of its animals. Who wants to visit a state where driving down the street animal abuse is continually visible?
