Alert 2/10/08    

 

Time Running Out!! Contact Your Delegate!!

 

Animal Fighting and Puppymill Bills Need Support!

 

 

It isn’t over and we’re back again asking for your help.

 

The puppymill bill, HB538, and the animal fighting bill, HB656, still face a vote by the full House of Delegates, anticipated to be tomorrow, Monday, 2/11.

 

Both of these bills were approved by the House Appropriations Committee on Friday, 2/8, and now must be passed by the full House.

 

animal fighting bill – HB656

We want you to know this and keep this in mind when you contact your own delegate:

THERE ARE DELEGATES WHO VOTED AGAINST THE ANIMAL FIGHTING BILL IN THE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE!

 

THEY ARE Del. Clarke Hogan, Del. Clarence Phillips and Del. Daniel Bowling.

 

Why in the world would these men vote against a bill which strengthens laws against animal fighting? Are they truly in favor of blood sport and animals being set upon each other at the instigation of humans to fight to the death? These men represent Virginia?

 

If any of these three men “represent” you, make it clear they are not “representing” you at all with such a vote. Let them know you want their support on HB656 when it is voted by the full House.

 

And if you have a delegate representing you other than Hogan, Phillips, or Bowling, letyour own delegate know you want them to support HB656, and ask them to contact delegates Hogan, Phillips and Bowling to encourage a vote in favor of the animals and to stop embarrassing Virginia with votes against HB656.

 

puppymill bill – HB538

The puppymill bill, HB538, faces vocal and well-organized opposition from the AKC, breeders and the likes of Bob Kane.

 

This bill, like the animal fighting bill above, was also voted on last Friday, 2/8. It passed but the vote was 17 “yea” to 7 “nay”, not a comfortable margin.

If you need talking points, here are a few:

1. puppymills that don’t conform to the law ought to be brought into compliance and inspections are the only way to do so

2. puppymills that are unlicensed are off the radar, don’t pay taxes, or treat their animals properly and make a mockery of those who conduct their businesses responsibly and pursuant to law

3. puppymills that are unlicensed evade the protections otherwise available to people under the Consumer Protection Statutes, and so unhealthy or imperfect pets can be foisted upon the public without effective recourse

 

Puppymill oversight makes things better for Virginia’s dogs and cats, and changes for the better what Kim Kincheloe describes as Virginia’s shame: “Virginia breeds a lot, adopts a few, and kills the rest.”

 

It is time to change that.

 

Lillian Clancy and Don Marro

 

 

make it simple

Put in subject line: support HB656 (and on the next say “support HB538”)

Add a very short message, asking for their support.

And send it today!

 

To find your delegate or senator, click here:

http://conview.state.va.us/whosmy.nsf/main?openform

 

To see the puppymill bill again, HB538, click here:

http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp504.exe?ses=081&typ=bil&val=hb538

 

To review the animal fighting bill, HB656, click here:

http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp504.exe?ses=081&typ=bil&val=hb656