Dear Companion Pet Lovers ~
As many of you may already be aware, the Missouri House of Representatives voted this past Wednesday to approve SB 113, a bill to srip core provisions of the Puppymill Prevention and Cruelty Act (Prop B) which was was passed by voters last November.
Click here to find the roll call so you may see how MO legislators voted - > http://www.facebook.com/l/a9c005oRNkQzLmkTp0Q0XBiWjNg/library.constantcontact.com/download/get/file/1101383826315-146/House+Vote+on+SB+113.pdf
NEXT, SB 113 WILL GO TO THE DESK OF GOVERNOR NIXON!
Because the Puppymill Prevention Cruelty Act was passed by a majority, it is important that we as a humane community let Gov. Nixon know that the hopes of animal welfare advocates from all across the country are dependent upon what happens in his state. The work we’re doing in Ohio will be greatly impacted, negatively or positively, by what transpires in Missouri!
In your email to the Governor, share a brief summary of “What You Know For Sure” about puppy mills. A photo from a mill in Ohio (there are plenty to choose from the http://www.facebook.com/l/a9c00poHOKiq5-LX_iGNscua5OA/BanOhioDogAuctions.com website!) would be great to include in your message!
VERY IMPORTANT DETAILS!
Gov. Jay Nixon and his wife, Georganne, are HUGE dog lovers!! They’ve even got a page on the First Lady’s official website dedicated to their spaniel, Daniel Boone - > http://www.facebook.com/l/a9c00kRDnAP6ZoDp7Qy4oM4G-sQ/firstlady.mo.gov/about/firstdog.htm
The Missouri people our supporter contacted think contacting the ‘Show Me State’s’ First Family is a great idea, but they stressed how very important it is that we:
1. 1. Be respectful in our correspondence, and
2. 2. Not flood the Governor’s office, but rather generate a distinct trickle.
Here’s a link to the Governor’s official email site: http://www.facebook.com/l/a9c00PmP7cyI1c-OeU1wkQVwewQ/governor.mo.gov/contact/
As a show of solidarity, please generate an email to Gov. Nixon, either today or tomorrow, asking him to veto any changes to the Puppymill Prevention Cruelty Act as passed by the voters, then forward this email to one other person in our network and ask them to do the same.
I know that many of you are very busy with other legislative efforts in Ohio, but I hope you’ll take just a few minutes (if you haven’t done so already) to do this.
It’s critical we help stop the Missouri effort because the result could have a rippling effect across the country!
Our momentum to address Ohio puppy mills and dog auctions is continuing to grow more and more support with each passing day (the WTOV News 9 segment aired February 28 has been the ‘talk of the town’ in Holmes and Tuscarawas counties!), and we cannot afford to allow the “fix” to the Puppymill Prevention Cruelty Act impact our campaign!
Thanks for continuing to serve as a strong voice for the dogs!
~~~~~ORIGINAL MESSAGE MAILED FEBRUARY 28, 2011~~~~~
Subject: ACTION ALERT! Missouri’s Proposition B in Jeopardy
Importance: High
An unprecedented number of lawmakers in Missouri have told the media and their constituents that they have no interest or desire in repealing Prop B, the Puppy Mill Cruelty Prevention Act, and only want to “fix” Prop B.
But “fix” in this instance seems to be a synonym for “gut,” and the effort unfolding in the Show-Me State is an insult to the 997,870 Missouri citizens who voted “yes” on Prop B and affirmed the broader principles of humane treatment of dogs and democratic decision-making. The current legislative vehicle for this subversion of voters' will is SB 113, and if it passes into law, you won’t even be able to recognize Prop B. SB 113 would strip Prop B of ALL of its core provisions.
It is ironic that a legislature that could never find the time to address the inhumane treatment of thousands of dogs in the puppy mills across the state has now found a superabundance of time, in the midst of serious economic issues that need to be dealt with, to “fix” the puppy mill problem – with 12 bills (scroll down to view these bills), multiple hearings, and much politicking behind the scenes. As a separate matter, several lawmakers have introduced legislation to bar any future ballot measure relating to the producing of domesticated animals or the killing of wildlife.
When lawmakers are sworn in, they take an oath to protect the laws of their state — regardless of whether those laws were passed by them or by the people. In the case of Prop B they are violating the spirit of that oath by ignoring the will of the majority of Missourians who voted for Prop B. We can’t let them succeed.
It’s time to alert Gov. Jay Nixon to veto any legislation from these lawmakers that violates the spirit of Prop B. You can e-mail him here and call him at (573) 751-3222. If you live in Missouri, please write to your lawmakers and ask them to respect the will of the voters on Prop B.
COMPARISON CHART OF PROVISIONS IN PROP B AND SB 113 CHANGES
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BILL #: SB 113
Sponsor: Parson
Co-Sponsors: Engler
Last Action: 2/16/11 Placed in the Senate Informal Calendar
Schedule: On the Senate Calendar
BILL SUMMARY:
1. Removes 50 covered dog cap
2. Decreases “adequate rest between breeding cycles” from 18 to 12 months
3. “Necessary vet care” changed to allow for just “site visit”; removes requirement that vet treat illness/injury and perform euthanasia
4. “Regular exercise,” “Housing,” “Sufficient space” changed to refer to MDA regulations
5. “Sufficient food” changed to feeding not more than 12 hours apart; “water” no more than 8 hours apart w/o length of time requirement for water to be available
6. Creates “serious nature” trigger for licensees and defers to MDA to determine what that is w/o guidance. If licensee and has serious violation, gets 30-180 days to correct before prosecution “may” occur
7. Removes exemption for pet store, animal shelter, hobby breeders, dog trainers
