Created: 10/29/2009 2:23:31 PM 
The so-called "HAPPY Act" an acronym for "Humanity and Pets Partnered through the Years" isn't causing happiness just yet. Instead, the unusual tax break proposal is causing confusion and questions.
Michigan Republican Rep. Thaddeus McCcotter, along with character actor Robert Davi, worked together on the bill.
The bill includes tax breaks not only for cats and dogs, but also for legally owned exotic pets. Considering the costs of keeping pets, which varies between about $650 a year on average for a cat and almost $900 a year on average for a dog, a tax break would be nice for many pet owners.
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According to the Humane Society, 63 percent of Americans own pets, so at $3,500 a tax break it comes out to roughly $8 trillion a year.
With more attention being paid to the fate of pets whose owners lose their homes interest is growing on Capitol Hill and beyond about how the government can respond.
"There is a move afoot. There is a general acknowledgment that people really care about their pets. Taking care of pets does cost money, and during the dramatic decline of people's income and the shaky economy, any possibility of assisting people in meeting those costs should be looked at," said Betsy Dribben, with the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
Many say it's just another example of big government barking up the wrong tree. Others worry people will take advantage of the tax break the dump the dog.
"I have one child, and the tax break usually for everybody is $1500, so, man! I know people have kids to get a better tax break, imagine what people will do with dogs, said Christopher Soto.
"I can see some abuse pretty easy, people running to get a dog from the pound, you know taking the dog off their taxes, then dumping the dog," said Ray Howard.
Other critics say deductions for pets means raised taxes elsewhere and owning a pet is a luxury that the American people shouldn't have to pay for.
CBS, CNN, TodaysTHV
