New KY Bill Targets Dogfighting

Paws Up!
To Kentucky House Speaker Greg Stumbo (D) for introducing a bill that would make activities related to dogfighting Class D felonies.

A new bill would make the breeding, selling, and training of dogs for fighting purposes felonies in KY.

Organizing a dogfight is already a felony in Kentucky, as it is in every state. However, unlike other states, Kentucky’s dogfighting laws don’t include certain activities related to dogfighting as felony offenses. If passed, House Bill 154, introduced by House Speaker Greg Stumbo (D), aims to change that. According to a recent news article, HB 154 would make the possession, training, breeding, and selling of dogs for the purpose of dogfighting Class D felonies. In the bill’s current form, the provisions would also include protections for other four-legged animals, such as pigs, who have historically been involved in violent “hog-dog” fights for entertainment or betting purposes. The bill has already been approved by the House Judiciary Committee.

Take Action: Kentucky residents, contact your representatives and ask him/her to support HB 154.

Update! DE Amends State Code to Save Victims of Dog Fighting

Paws Up!
To the State of Delaware for passing an amendment to state code that aims to save the lives of dogs seized from dog fighting operations.

In June, we encouraged our Delaware readers to support SB 245, An Act to Amend the Delaware Code Relating to Dangerous Dogs and Animal Fighting and Baiting. This amendment has since passed and modifies Titles 3, 9, and 11 of Delaware State Code to end the state’s policy requiring automatic euthanasia of any dogs seized from dog fighting operations. Governor Jack Markell signed the amendment into law on July 31, 2014. Under the newly modified code, any canines seized from dog fighting operations will undergo behavioral and physical evaluation. Any dogs who are found to be good candidates for rehabilitation and adoption will not be euthanized but instead transferred to a qualified rescue organization.

An amendment to DE state code gives canine victims of dog fighting opportunities for new lives in adoptive homes.

Take Action: Delaware residents, please contact your governor and thank him for signing this life-saving bill into law.

The Office of the Governor – Dover
150 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. South
2nd Floor
Dover, DE 19901

Massachusetts Outlaws the Sale of Shark Fin Products

This fall, restaurants, food stores, and other vendors will be prohibited from selling shark fin products.

Paws Up!
To the Governor of Massachusetts for signing a bill into law that outlaws the sale of shark fin in products.

Shark finning is the practice of amputating a shark’s fins, typically so that the fins can be used in culinary products such as shark fin soup. The fins are cut off after capture, and the dying shark is thrown overboard to bleed to death in the ocean. It is an inherently inhumane and wasteful practice, and shark finning is already illegal in American waters. According to a recent article, last month Governor Deval Patrick signed a bill into law that prohibits the sale of shark fin products in the state of Massachusetts.

Beginning September 1, 2014, anyone convicted of selling shark-fin products may be subject to a $500-$1000 fine per fin, or 60 days imprisonment.

Take Action: Massachusetts residents, contact the governor’s office and thank him for signing this important bill into law.

Massachusetts State House
Office of Governor Deval Patrick
Room 105
Boston, MA 02133

Iowa Bill Takes Aim at Puppy Mills

An Iowa bill would increase regulation of animals in the pet trade.

Iowa is considering a bill, SF 2254, that would increase state regulation of the commercial pet market and mandate specific standards of care for animals in breeding facilities and pet stores. This bill aims to combat the horrendous conditions found in puppy mills and inhumane pet dealers in the state of Iowa. Animals in the pet trade are vulnerable to abuse and neglect in every phase of the buying and selling process. Breeding dogs may never leave the mill where they produce puppies for sale. Within these mills, dogs may be stacked in cramped wire boxes with gaps in the flooring that allow urine and feces to fall below into the lower cages. Puppies who survive the mill may be sold through similarly inhumane market venues.

Iowa residents, please contact your legislators  and urge them to support SF 2254.

 

 

 

 

Greyhounds Get a Rest

Paws Up!  
To the Colorado legislature and the governor for enacting and signing into law, respectively, legislation that will ban greyhound racing in the state.       

Colorado is done with greyhound racing.

According to a news story, “Colorado is the latest state to ban greyhound dog racing.” There are just seven states where greyhound racing is legal and operational: Arizona, Texas, Arkansas, Alabama, Iowa, Florida, and West Virginia.

Take Action: Colorado residents, thank your legislators and governor for this action to protect animals in your state. Residents of Arizona, Texas, Arkansas, Alabama, Iowa, Florida, and West Virginia, urge your legislators to ban greyhound racing now.

Wild Animal Ownership Limited in WV

This is not a pet.

Paws Up!
To The West Virginia legislature for passing the Dangerous Wild Animals Act.

According to a news story, “The West Virginia legislature has passed a bill that would prohibit the possession of dangerous wild animals in the state.” Under this bill, future ownership of wild animals, such as wild cats, bears, primates, venomous and constrictor snakes, and alligators, would be prohibited. The legislation has been sent to Governor Tomblin for his signature.

Take Action: West Virginia residents, contact your governor and urge him to sign the Dangerous Wild Animals Act into law. Residents of other states, make sure your state has adequate laws to protect its citizens against the unregulated ownership of wild animals.

Animals Need Advocates

Rhode Island has before it a bill that will allow for the appointment of animal advocates in court cases involving custody of a companion animal.

The Rhode Island state legislature is considering a bill that would allow for the appointment of an animal advocate in cases before the courts in which the custody of an animal is at issue. H 7499, An Act Relating to Animal and Animal Husbandry – Cruelty to Animals, would give animals a voice in such cases.

Animals are considered property but should be given more consideration than toasters and automobiles. They are living, breathing, sentient beings, not inanimate objects. Therefore, they need an advocate to represent their best interest when disputes arise that wind up in court.

Rhode Island residents, contact your legislators and let them know you support H 7499.

Animal Abuser Registries

Several states have introduced bills that would require those convicted of animal abuse to be listed on a public registry.

Many states are introducing animal abuser registry legislation. An animal abuser registry is fashioned after child abuser registries and helps communities identify those within their boundaries who have been convicted of animal abuse. Several states have introduced multiple bills that address the issue of keeping track of animal abusers. Below is a list of five such states, with links to one bill before the state legislature as well as links to contacting legislators in each state.

We must protect the animals of our community, and we can do that by letting our legislators know we support the enactment of an animal abuser registry.

Illinois – HB 4188

Massachusetts – S 1914

Michigan – SB 377

Pennsylvania – SB 320

West Virginia – S 92

Patrick’s Law

Patrick’s law has been enacted in the state of New Jersey, honoring Patrick (shown above) for the extreme abuse he endured as a puppy. This law would increase the civil and criminal penalties involving animal abuse crimes. Photo courtesy of The Patrick Miracle Facebook page.

Paws Up!
To the New Jersey State Legislature for enacting Patrick’s Law, S 1303.

The New Jersey legislator has passed S 1303 known as Patrick’s Law in honor of a dog who was starved and then abandoned by his owner. The bill is before Governor Chris Christie for signature.

The bill calls for tougher measures that would increase civil and criminal penalties for animal abuse and neglect and creates a separate offense if an individual is charged with the “needless killing” of an animal.

Take Action: New Jersey residents, thank your legislators for enacting this law and for protecting the animals of your state. Let your governor know you want the bill signed into law. Residents of other states, if your legislators are considering enacting tougher animal cruelty laws, let them know you support them.

Genetically Engineered Salmon

The longterm effects of genetically modified salmon on human health and the environment are still unknown.

Protecting animals and the environment should be high on everyone’s list. The US Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and the US House Subcommittee on Fisheries, Wildlife, Oceans, and Insular Affairs have before them S 246 /HR 1667 , the Prevention of Escapement of Genetically Altered Salmon in the United States Act, which would ban the transportation, sale, purchase or possession of genetically modified fish in interstate or foreign commerce.

We strongly object to the genetic manipulation of salmon as such manipulation can affect animal and human health as well as environmental welfare. The threat to wild salmon and the general ocean ecosystem has not been mitigated nor have there been sufficient studies to determine what effect genetically engineered salmon would have on human health.

Write a brief note to the leadership of these committees expressing your concern regarding genetically engineered salmon and your support of this legislation. Also, write your senators and representatives expressing your concerns about the introduction of genetically engineered foods.

The Honorable Jay Rockefeller, Chairman
The Honorable John Thune, Ranking Member
Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation
Russell Senate Office Building 254
Washington, DC 20510

The Honorable John Fleming, Chairman
The Honorable Gregorio Kilili Camacho Sablan, Ranking Member
House Subcommittee on Fisheries, Wildlife, Oceans, and Insular Affairs
1324 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515