The elections are upon us. I hope you vote tomorrow. With so many issues at hand including the economy, bailouts, lack of jobs, the housing market etc…perhaps animal legislation is not first on your list when considering which candidate you want in office.
Of course I am taking everything into consideration when I enter the voting booth tomorrow.
Trying to get animal welfare legislation looked at, let alone passed, in the state of PA is a real eye-opener on all levels when it comes to our legislators.
I have spoken with many leaders in animal welfare this past year concerning legislation. Nothing is being done to help the animals. That is why a rally, which I attended, was held on the steps of the Capitol in Harrisburg on September 13th. We are tired of these key pieces of legislation not being taken seriously or looked upon as something that is morally needed for animals.
I have covered most of the key issues of legislation on my tv show and have gone on the radio to talk about these issues this past year. Six years ago, Tami Thayne fought to get anti-tethering legislation passed to help chained dogs in PA. Six years later, she was promised another bill and nothing materialized. She sat on the steps of the Capitol chained to a dog box with no legislation. What do we have to do to get our legislators to not only take us, their constituents, seriously but to help animals in PA?
Our new dog law, Act 119, which was a huge victory in the making for nearly 30 years, was passed in 2008. Here we are in 2010 and this law is now in the process of taking steps backwards by allowing the Canine Health Board to make recommendations that would allow dogs and puppies to stand on wire flooring for six to eight months out of the year. That was not to be allowed in the new law and had been an important component of Act 119. We are losing ground. Why? Why do the legislators allow this to happen?
Why can legislators only look at one piece of animal legislation per year?
Advocates to end pigeon shoots have been waiting a long time to get their legislation passed as well but once again, the bill was shot down. Why?
The bill to end the use of gas chambers to kill shelter pets in PA also died this year. Why? How can any legislator not see gas chambers are so barbaric, horrific and constitute animal cruelty?
When you vote tomorrow, I know you need to take all aspects into consideration, just remember, legislators work for US. Vote with your conscience.
If you would like to see how our legislators have voted on animal welfare legislation, please Humane USA PA PAC ,Animal Law Coalition’s website or the Lehigh Valley’s League of Humane Voters.