A SAOVA message to sportsmen, pet owners and farmers concerned about protecting their traditions, avocations and livelihoods from anti-hunting, anti-breeding, animal guardianship advocates. Forwarding and cross posting, with attribution, encouraged.
Prop2 Coming to Ohio; Rallying against animal rightist bills
Ohio cattlemen hear what’s hot: HSUS, OSU Extension cuts
by Susan Mykrantz, Farm and Dairy News Monday, April 6, 2009
ASHLAND, Ohio — Just when livestock producers are finding ways to clear the murky waters of low commodity prices and high input prices, comes another deluge of challenges in the form of steep funding cuts to the Ohio State University Extension and assaults from the Humane Society of the United States.
Producers are being targeted by groups determined to either change the way animal agriculture does business or put it out of business altogether, according to John Fitzpatrick, organization director for Ashland/Medina/Wayne County Farm Bureaus.
Following a preview of a multimedia presentation, Veal Calves and Cull Cows, Fitzpatrick told producers and industry representatives attending the Ashland County Cattlemen’s annual meeting that the Humane Society of the United States has targeted Ohio as their next state to pass legislation similar to Proposition 2 that was passed in California.
Fitzpatrick told the cattlemen that the HSUS is not connected with the local humane society in any way.
What you can do
All of agriculture needs to band together and tell its story to the public. “Don’t be afraid to speak up on behalf of agriculture,” he said. “You need to be willing to speak to the media, we all need to tell the same story.”
Full story at the link:
Ohio cattlemen hear what’s hot: HSUS, OSU Extension cuts | Farm and Dairy - The Auction Guide and Rural Marketplace Ohio cattlemen hear what’s hot: HSUS, OSU Extension cuts | Farm and Dairy - The Auction Guide and Rural Marketplace
UPDATES ON CURRENT STATE LEGISLATION
ALABAMA
OPPOSE. SB 554 Sterilization of private dogs, cats required.
Requires the sterilization of all privately owned dogs and cats within the state with certain specified exceptions. This bill would also provide that the owner of a dog or cat over 6 months of age that has not been sterilized and that is the subject of a complaint to a local animal control agency, as specified, may be cited and, if cited, must pay a civil penalty to the local animal agency within 30 days.
Talking points:
* The proposed legislation allows for complaints from the general public to be included in the process toward mandated spay/neuter. Complaints can be for anything other than noise and do not need to be verified. The complaint-driven section is totally flawed.
* Spay/Neuter is an important medical decision that should be made for each individual pet only after careful consultation with the pet's veterinarian, not mandated by the government
* Imposes state-mandated one-size-fits-all solution thereby removing any discretion from local officials, who know better than state officials how to handle problems in their community
* Exemptions for hunting, herding, detection or service dogs while working off their owner’s property are not included
Additional talking points are posted on the SAOVA website along with bill information, tracking, and contact information for Judiciary Committee members.
SOAVA
CALIFORNIA ACTION ALERT
OPPOSE. SB 250 Spaying and Neutering makes it illegal to own, keep or harbor a dog with intact sexual organs, except as specified. Makes it illegal to have an intact cat remain outdoors. Requires certificate of sterility as proof. Requires reporting of the sale of an unaltered cat or dog. Requires sterilization of any cat or dog impounded for any reason – even on first offense; or for violation of this law if cited for violation of other law.
A hearing is scheduled in Senate Local Government Committee for April 15, 2009 in Sacramento. Phone or fax your opposition now.
Committee Members:
Senator Patricia Wiggins, Chair
Phone: (916) 651-4002 Fax: (916) 323-6958
Senator.Wiggins@senate.ca.gov
Senator Dave Cox, Vice-Chair
Phone: (916) 651-4001 Fax: (916) 324-2680
Senator.Cox@senate.ca.gov
Senator Samuel Aanestad
Phone: (916) 651-4004 Fax: (916) 445-7750
Senator.Aanestad@senate.ca.gov
Senator Christine Kehoe
Phone: (916) 651-4039 Fax: (916) 327-2188
Senator.Kehoe@senate.ca.gov
Senator Lois Wolk Phone:
(916) 651-4005 Fax: (916) 323-2304
Senator.Wolk@senate.ca.gov
* Spay/Neuter is an important medical decision that should be made for each individual pet only after careful consultation with the pet's veterinarian, not mandated by the government
* Imposes state-mandated one-size-fits-all solution thereby removing any discretion from local officials, who know better than state officials how to handle problems in their community
* Forced sterilization adds more costs to pet owners and already overburdened local governments.
* Areas which have passed this type of legislation have failed to see success in lessening animal abandonment
CALIFORNIA ACTION ALERT
OPPOSE. AB 241 Dogs and cats: breeders. AB 241 makes illegal to have more than a combined total of 50 dogs and cats with intact sexual organs. Authorizes certain officers to investigate a violation of such provisions, and to lawfully take possession of an animal kept in violation of existing law. Hearing scheduled April 14 in Committee on Public Safety
Assembly Committee Frameset
Committee Fax (916) 319-3745
Jose Solorio, Chair (916) 319-2069
Assemblymember.solorio@assembly.ca.gov
Curt Hagman, Vice Chair (916) 319-2060
Assemblymember.Hagman@assembly.ca.gov
Warren Furutani (916) 319-2055
Assemblymember.Furutani@assembly.ca.gov
Danny Gilmore (916) 319-2030
Assemblymember.Gilmore@assembly.ca.gov
Jerry Hill (916) 319-2019
Assemblymember.Hill@assembly.ca.gov
Fiona Ma (916) 319-2012
Assemblymember.Ma@assembly.ca.gov
Nancy Skinner (916) 319-2014
Assemblymember.Skinner@assembly.ca.gov
MAINE ACTION ALERT
OPPOSE LD 964. Proposes unnecessary over-regulation of dog breeders establishing 3 categories of kennels with excessive kennel fees. The bill amends the definition of "breeding kennel" to specify that 5 or more female dogs capable of breeding are the threshold for needing a breeding kennel license. Adds new requirement that veterinarian must examine animal prior to sale. Creates a conditional license and fee before kennel license can be issued. Allows the Department of Agriculture to charge a fee up to 50% of the kennel license for follow-up inspections. Hearing is scheduled Apr 15, 2009, 0100PM by the Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry. Contact the Committee:
Maine Legislature: Joint Standing Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry.
ACTION NEEDED. LD 186 Possession of Animal Fighting Paraphernalia.
LD 186 is being heavily lobbied by HSUS and the animal rights forces in Maine. Criminal Justice Committee members discussed the merits of the bill.
Representative Hanley (D-Gardiner) and Representative Sykes (R-Harrison) both expressed serious reservations that this bill was attempting to solve a problem that didn't exist. Representative Hanley reported that according to the Department of Public Safety there have been no convictions for animal fighting in the state in more than 40 years, and only one report (never confirmed) of such activity.
Senator Stan Gerzofsky (D- Brunswick), who is the Committee chair, then spoke. He stated that as a former dog trainer he is very familiar with dog ownership, dog training and the sport of Schutzhund, as well as AKC standards governing these activities. Many of the items that might otherwise be characterized as animal fighting paraphernalia are also appropriately used in training dogs. While he finds dog fighting abhorrent, he noted that there are already laws in existence that can sufficiently address the issue. Further, given his familiarity with the subject, he is adamantly opposed to any legislation that would in any way limit the lawful activities of dog trainers. The Committee vote was 9-2 Ought Not To Pass, with Senator Davis and Representative Schatz opposed.
The animal rights movement in Maine has continued to lobby for the minority ought to pass amended bill. LD 186 was presented to the House April 8 where the Ought Not To Pass Report was accepted by a vote of 122-20. April 9 it was heard by the Senate; Senator Gerzofsky motioned to accept the majority Ought Not To Pass Report and Senator Nutting motioned to table the bill for further discussion.
What you can do:
Contact Senator Gerzofsky and support his stand on LD 186 Ought Not To Pass
Contact Senator Stan Gerzofsky Senate President's Office: 207-287-1500
Contact Senator Nutting and express your concern about his continued support of LD 186.
The Maine Senate Democrats
Senate Democratic Office: 207-287-1515
Contact members of the Maine Senate and urge them to vote Ought Not To Pass.
http://www.maine.gov/legis/senate/se...il/maillst.htm
Find additional information at
OPPOSE MAINE LEGISLATION LD 946, LD 1053 DOG KENNEL LICENSING
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