HSVMA Advocates for Humane Legislation Throughout 2012October 9, 2012 One of the main activities of the HSVMA is to advocate for humane animal-related legislation—on both the state and federal levels—throughout the year. In 2012 HSVMA, often working in conjunction with other animal protection organizations, supported many such bills nationwide. Quite a few of these bills have already passed, and a number of them are still pending. Farm Animal ConfinementHSVMA provided support to Rhode Island bill H7180/S2191, legislation that will ban veal crates and gestation crates in the state. Matthew Prescott/The HSUS We supported four state bills aimed at prohibiting the use of cruel farm animal confinement methods.
Protecting Tenants and Their PetsIn California, HSVMA joined The Paw Project in successfully co-sponsoring SB 1229, a landmark bill that prohibits landlords from requiring that tenants' animals be declawed and/or devocalized as a condition of tenancy. The passage of this legislation, which was authored by California Senator Fran Pavley, D-Agoura Hills, ensures that tenants do not have to choose between securing housing for their families and subjecting their pets to unnecessary and life-altering surgical procedures. Banning "Hounding" of Bears and BobcatsAlso in California, Governor Jerry Brown recently signed into law SB 1221, a bill championed by Sen. Ted Lieu, D-Torrance, that will prohibit the use of radio-collared dog packs to hunt bears and bobcats. This inhumane and unsporting practice, known as "hounding," has long compromised the health and welfare of both wildlife species and the dogs that were used to hunt them. With the bill's passage, California became the fifteenth state to outlaw hounding of bears and the fourteenth state to ban bobcat hounding. HSVMA's support letter was accompanied by endorsements from more than 110 California veterinarians. Increasing Penalties for Animal Cruelty CrimesHSVMA is supporting the North Dakota Prevention of Animal Cruelty Initiative, which would make it a felony to maliciously harm a dog, cat or horse. We've mailed endorsement requests to all veterinarians and veterinary technicians in North Dakota, and at last count, nearly 30 veterinary professionals had endorsed the initiative. This initiative is pending the November ballot in that state. Federal Legislation: Protection for Egg-Laying Hens and Horses, and Preventing Antibiotic OveruseOn the federal level, HSVMA is involved with several bills which are still pending: If passed, the Egg Products Inspection Act Amendments of 2012 (HR3798/S3239) would greatly improve the housing and welfare of laying hens in the nation. Sandeep Subba
You Can HelpAs veterinary professional members and supporters of HSVMA, you are welcome and encouraged to become more involved in our legislative efforts if you have the time and the interest to do so. That could include writing letters or making phone calls endorsing particular pieces of legislation, working with us in our lobbying activities within your respective states, or attending our annual Humane Lobby Days which are held in many states around the country.
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