NEW MEXICO HB559
 
If you know anyone from NM or TX that fights in NM make sure you forward this to them. They need all the help they can get right away.

The cockfighting bill, House Bill 559, will be heard Tuesday, March 4, at 1:30 at the Capitol building in Santa Fe. This bill is being heard by all three committees at the same time! The Consumer & Public Affairs Committee, the Agriculture and Water Resources Committee, and the Judicial Committee. EVERYONE MUST BE THERE TO KEEP COCKFIGHTING LEGAL !! You should call Monday afternoon and make sure the schedule is the same: the chairperson is Gail Beam; her office is 505-986-4844.

According to our lobbyist, there are 8 votes for us, 7 votes undecided, and 9 against us. I am sending information on those for us and undecided. They need to be called Friday, Monday, and Tuesday morning.

FOR US:
Miguel Garcia, 505-986-4255
Roberto Gonzales, 986-4235
Antonio Lujan, 986-4255
Andy Nunez, 986-4235
Bengie Regensberg, 986-4464
Sandra Townsend, 986-4214
Don Tripp, 986-4220
Richard Vigil, 986-4249

UNDECIDED:
Thomas Anderson, 986-4455
Joseph Cervantes, 986-4242
Daniel Folcy, 986-4211
Larry Larranaga, 986-4215
Joe Stell, 986-4423
Thomas Swisstack, 986-4254
Eric Youngberg, 986-4211

Please be responsible for contacting everyone in your area with this information.

URGENT: We also need to contact BEN LUJAN, Speaker of the Representatives and let him know that we are highly displeased with him allowing all three of these committees to meet at one time on the house floor to hear this bill. THIS ACTION IS UNPRECEDENTED AND WE FEEL IT VIOLATES EVERY PERCEPTION OF FAIRNESS THEY COULD EVEN THINK OF.
His office number is 505-986-4782.
Source: http://pub113.ezboard.com/fthepitmasterfrm0.showMessage?topicID=2540.topic
 
Hawaii.......
 
Cockfighting crackdown bill clears Senate panel

By Vicki Viotti
Advertiser Staff Writer

A state Senate committee today voted to pass a bill to toughen penalties against cockfighting after a strong showing by proponents at today's public hearing, where those who support this form of gambling also registered their defense of an activity favored by some ethnic communities.

The measure, known as S.B. 1581, would create a new category of class-C felony crimes called "aggravated cruelty to animals," and includes cockfighting in that category. Among other provisions is a section that would define sites of cockfighting and dog fighting events as nuisances subject to violation citations.

The most extensive testimony in support of the bill, heard by the Senate Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs, came from various humane societies around the state and included a petition of 750 names gathered by the Hawaiian Humane Society.

Pam Burns, the society's president, also submitted articles on research indicating a link between animal cruelty of all kinds and violence against humans. On cockfighting specifically, Burns called it "simply an extremely cruel form of gambling."

"When a person abuses an animal, all society is at risk," she added.

Pam Smith, a former 'Ewa Neighborhood Board member, said cockfighting has disrupted her community with traffic and drug activity.

"The killing of even one more bird for fun and profit is inexcusable," she said.

Annette Lee, speaking for The Hawaii Game Breeders Association questioned criminalizing cockfighting when destruction of animals by the humane societies is legal.

"We do need to get our priorities in order when it comes to increasing felony crimes," Lee said.

Reach Vicki Viotti at vviotti@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8053

Source: http://the.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/2003/Feb/28/br/br03p.html

South Dakota.......
 
 
Three In S.F. Arrested For Cockfighting

SIOUX FALLS (AP) -- Three people have been arrested after police found evidence they were involved in cockfighting.

Seven roosters, two chicks and cockfighting paraphernalia were confiscated from a Sioux Falls home Tuesday night.

Siubon Khouinn, Somsalao Thonesayanh and Phiou Vancam were each arrested and charged with inhumane treatment to animals. Additional charges may be filed. South Dakota law does not make cockfighting a felony.

Investigators found syringes with antibiotics, a homemade cockfighting ring that had dried blood on it and a scale, said Rosey Quinn, a cruelty and neglect officer for the Sioux Falls Area Humane Society.

The site was discovered when police executed a search warrant for an unrelated incident.

Source: http://www.yankton.net/stories/022803/new_20030228032.shtml
'The Height of Chutzpah'

To the growing list of organizations that are fed up with People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) and its legion of hateful bullies, add the Anti-Defamation League. The ADL apparently got wise to PETA's latest anti-semitic stunt, a traveling installation called "Holocaust on Your Plate," which tries (feebly) to draw parallels between 1940s Nazi death-camp prisoners and livestock in modern farms.

The exclamation point is a new PETA website, MassKilling.com, that Israel National News says "features further explicit comparisons of Jews murdered by Nazis to chickens eaten for food."

On Monday, the ADL issued a public denunciation of PETA, declaring that its "Holocaust" project is "outrageous, offensive, and taking chutzpah to new heights." ADL National Director Abraham Foxman writes: "The uniqueness of human life is the moral underpinning for those who resisted the hatred of Nazis and others ready to commit genocide even today." ADL's website also features a new report on anti-semitism in the animal rights movement.

Mr. Foxman has hit the nail on the head. As a matter of policy, PETA and other animal rights groups do not respect "the uniqueness of human life." PETA president Ingrid Newkirk spelled it out in her now-famous barb: "A rat is a pig is a dog is a boy. They're all mammals." It's this twisted worldview that leads PETA to oppose medical research with animals, even when it leads to treatments and cures for human diseases.
 
 
Source: http://www.consumerfreedom.com/headline_detail.cfm?HEADLINE_ID=1802
 
 
This........
 Sponsored by Animal Place, Animal Welfare Trust, the Association of
Veterinarians for Animal Rights, Compassion in World Farming, Farm
Sanctuary, The Fund for Animals, Glaser Progress Foundation, People for
the Ethical Treatment of Animals, and United Poultry Concerns.
Was Forwarded To Us By A Concerned Citizen Who Said............
 
ALERTS ARE SENT WITH THE HOPE THAT YOU WILL DISSEMINATE THE
INFORMATION TO OTHERS AND URGE THEM TO ACT ON IT.
So Here Is Our Dissemination And Urge To Act On It............
 
 
----- Original Message -----
From: "United Poultry Concerns" <info@upc-online.org>
Sent: Friday, February 28, 2003 10:34 AM
Subject: ALERT: Actions Against Cockfighting, Cruelty

U N I T E D   P O U L T R Y   C O N C E R N S  [UPC] E-mail list
   (to be removed please visit http://www.upc-online.org/email )
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -


FARMED ANIMAL WATCH ALERT
Sponsored by Animal Place, Animal Welfare Trust, the Association of
Veterinarians for Animal Rights, Compassion in World Farming, Farm
Sanctuary, The Fund for Animals, Glaser Progress Foundation, People for
the Ethical Treatment of Animals, and United Poultry Concerns.


ALERTS ARE SENT WITH THE HOPE THAT YOU WILL DISSEMINATE THE
INFORMATION TO OTHERS AND URGE THEM TO ACT ON IT.


From HSUS's 2/27 Humanelines:

COCKFIGHTING HURTS MORE THAN JUST FIGHTING BIRDS:
In California, illegal cockfighting is claiming victims beyond those
killed in the fighting ring. More than three million chickens and other
birds, including birds at southern California factory farms, have been
ordered killed by federal and state authorities in response to an
outbreak of Exotic Newcastle Disease (END), a highly contagious avian
disease thought to have been introduced into the area by California's
huge illegal cockfighting industry.

The San Diego Tribune (2/22) reports that the workers at one factory
farming operation, the Ward Egg farm, put 30,000 "spent hens" through a
woodchipping machine, after their hands became tired from wringing the
chickens' necks. This method of killing was reportedly authorized by a
USDA consultant. Ironically, USDA is spending tax dollars to compensate
cockfighters for the "depopulation" of their gamecocks, rewarding them
generously for engaging in a practice that is illegal under federal and
state law.

It's time for the USDA to halt its outrageous payments to illegal animal
fighters and to start enforcing the federal anti-cockfighting law. Had
USDA been vigorously enforcing laws against animal fighting, it is likely
that END would have not become so widespread. In a February 20 letter to
USDA Secretary Ann Veneman, The HSUS urged Veneman to not only implement
stronger enforcement of anti-cockfighting laws, but also to support new
legislation to increase penalties for violating the federal cockfighting
law. (To read more on this issue, see: http://www.hsus.org/ace/18433 )

WHAT YOU CAN DO:
1. Add your voice to those asking Secretary Veneman to immediately take
steps to ensure enforcement of federal cockfighting laws, and to publicly
endorse the Ensign-Allard-Cantwell (Senate) and Bartlett-Andrews (House)
legislation to increase federal penalties for animal fighting.

The Honorable Ann Veneman
Secretary of Agriculture
U.S. Department of Agriculture
1400 Independence Ave., SW
Washington, D.C. 20250

2. Contact the San Diego County District Attorney's office and ask them
to investigate and prosecute credible evidence of massive violations of
California's animal cruelty law (which prohibits subjecting any animal to
needless suffering or unnecessary cruelty) at the Ward Egg Farm.

San Diego County DA Bonnie M. Dumanis
330 W. Broadway, Suite 1300
San Diego, CA 92101
ph: 619-531-4040
fax: 619-237-1351
publicinformation@sdcda.org




_____________________________________________________________________  
UNITED POULTRY CONCERNS                     http://www.UPC-online.org  
Promoting the compassionate and respectful treatment of domestic fowl  
            PO Box 150 Machipongo, VA 23405 * 757-678-7875             
            The Moment You Turn Your Back You Are Involved              
                                                                       

 
Legislation to Penalize Animal Rights Terrorists Introduced in New York- (02/28)
New York

New York is the second state to introduce a bill that will help prosecute animal rights terrorists.  The proposal is based on a model bill created by the U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance.

House Bill 4884, introduced by Representative Richard Smith (D-Blasdell), will recognize animal and eco-terrorism as forms of domestic terrorism, increase penalties for persons participating in politically motivated acts of animal or eco-terrorism and create specific penalties for those who assist or finance these acts of terrorism.

This is part of the Alliance’s national campaign to combat animal rights terrorism on a state-by-state basis.  New York follows Texas’ lead in introducing this bill with legislators in other states also preparing to introduce similar bills.

“The FBI found extremist animal rights groups to be among the largest and fastest-growing domestic terror threats,” said U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance Senior Vice President Rick Story.  “Terrorist groups like the Animal Liberation Front and Earth Liberation Front caused $17.3 million in damages during 2001.  This legislation can help identify and prosecute those who are involved in animal rights terrorism.”

“We need to applaud Rep. Smith for his leadership in introducing this bill as well as his obvious regard for the safety of New York citizens,” he added.

Take Action!  New York sportsmen should ask their representatives to support House Bill 4884.  Tell them that animal rights terrorism endangers lives, sets back life-saving medical research, and strikes fear into the hearts of countless researchers, business people, farmers, sportsmen and more.  Let them know that you want those responsible for committing and assisting with these terror acts to be identified and prosecuted.

New York sportsmen can find their legislators and contact information for them at (518) 455-4218, fill out the Take Action Now icon above or use the Legislative Action Center on the U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance website, www.ussportsmen.org.

Source: http://www.ussportsmen.org/interactive/features/Read.cfm?ID=1018

 
Appeals court refuses to stop dog clubs from docking tails
By SAMUEL MAULL
Associated Press Writer

February 28, 2003, 5:33 PM EST
NEW YORK -- Requiring a dog to have an amputated tail to compete successfully in a kennel club show may be discriminatory but it is not illegal, a state appeals court ruled as it dismissed a dog lover's lawsuit.

Jon H. Hammer, a Manhattan lawyer, sued the American Kennel Club two years ago, trying to eliminate show standards that require some breeds to have amputated, or "docked," tails. He called docking a cruel violation of state law.

Hammer, owner of a Brittany spaniel with a 10-inch tail, said docking is done without anesthesia for cosmetic reasons and has no physical benefit for the animal. AKC standards say a Brittany's tail should be no more than four inches long.

Breed experts said the dog was originally bred to hunt, and the docked tail was meant to protect the appendage from injury. They also said veterinarians now use anesthesia during the amputation.

The State Supreme Court's Appellate Division, upholding a lower court decision by Justice Barbara Kapnick, ruled 3-2 Thursday that the state animal cruelty law under which Hammer sued must be enforced by law enforcement agencies.

The court said Hammer lacked "standing" _ the legal right _ to sue to change the AKC's policies. Civil remedies, such as an injunction to end a practice that possibly violates a penal law, are usually not available to individuals, the court wrote.

The appeals court refused to state whether tail docking was in fact a crime. The panel said Hammer was seeking "an impermissible advisory opinion" which the court gives only if there are no questions of fact and the sole question is one of law.

Hammer also argued that the AKC standards in effect discriminated against dog owners who refused to mutilate their animals. He said the standards barred his dog, a brown and white 2{-year-old named "Spooner," from meaningful competition.

The court dismissed that part of Hammer's complaint, saying, "The right to compete ... in dog shows is not a legally protected right. In any event, a Brittany Spaniel with an undocked tail is, in fact, permitted to compete;... he simply loses points for the dog's tail length."

"Dog tail length, like dog height, is not a consideration protected by state of federal anti-discrimination law," the panel's majority wrote.

Neither Hammer nor his lawyer, Joseph P. Foley, replies to calls seeking comment.

Copyright © 2003, The Associated Press

Source: http://www.nynewsday.com/news/local/manhattan/ny-bc-ny--dogtails0228feb28,0,78358.story?coll=nyc-manheadlines-manhattan
 
 
From the Texas Animal Interest Network:
It is only a matter of time until similar bills hit Texas.  "Animal rights" to the core.  If you have contacts in Rhode Island, please alert them.  Or just protest yourself as being concerned that the legislation will be here next.  Rhode Island has already passed state legislation to use the "guardian" word.
Thanks for caring, MB
 
*******************************************************
 
A Second generation bill from the Guardian bill has been proposed in RI. This is a truly awful bill and there is no Federation in the tiny state of RI. If you live in RI, know dog owners who do, please post this to them
    
RI: TERRIBLE animal bill!!!! People, get ready to move out of R.I. if this passes! There is NO Federation in this state to fight this. So we have to build one. If you live in RI, know people in RI, PLEASE get in touch doglaw@akc.org. You need an organization to fight this. 

*  LANDMARK RHODE ISLAND HB 5817 - SECOND GENERATION GUARDIAN BILL

H 5817 realizes some of the "what ifs" raised by the first generation "guardian" legislation.  In 2001, RI H 6119 passed the first and so far, only state law enacted to use
"guardian" in animal statutes.  Because Rhode Island is a small state with
overwhelming Democratic majorities in both houses of the legislature,
passage of bills with a group of Democratic authors is possible.  This year's
H 5817, builds on the human guardian model for animals - "any nonhuman
living creature" -- with emphasis on new crimes, harsher punishments,
expanded groups of mandated enforcers and reporters and little regard to
real rights of owners.  H 5817 creates a new crime of "animal abuse" rather
than cruelty - both first and second degree, misdemeanor and felony;
abandonment; aggravated animal neglect - a felony; sexual "assault" of an
animal - a felony that also requires registration as a sex offender; as
well as provisions relating animal fighting and extensive regulation of
euthanasia. 
 
The bill specifies that ownership, guardianship or trespass
are not defenses to its crimes; provides for "cost of care" bonds for
animals impounded pursuant to covered criminal actions; and provides for
enforcement not only by all police agencies but also by court appointed
"special humane agents" appointed by SPCA's based on demonstrating
satisfactory knowledge and training.  The bill also provides that cost of
caring for animals in custody becomes a lien that must be discharged by the
guardian within 7 days following ACQUITTAL or WITHDRAWAL of the criminal
complaint - if not the guardian's "legal interest" is transferred to the
custodial agency which can still recover any excess over the value
transferred from the guardian (i.e. the owner.)  AND MORE - H 5817
specifies a very long and broad list of persons who SHALL report any
violations to the "nearest law enforcement agency" and are granted civil
immunity for this mandated reporting.  The list even includes attorneys,
photo finishers and any news media employee.  Further provisions cover
impoundment with a warrant or without; termination of an unfit guardian's
interest in an animal for a number of stated reasons including habitual use
of intoxicating or controlled substances that impair the guardian's ability
to provide care. 
 
The petition for termination would be filed by an animal
care agency holding the animal in custody.  Consequences for the terminated
guardian include a minimum 3 year prohibition on possessing any animals,
loss of any other animals and payment of all costs.  Conviction for any
offense under this law could include evaluation and treatment, as well as
community service in addition to specified prison and fines, forfeiture of
any interest in the animal and for felony animal abuse offense convictions
in either Rhode Island or comparable convictions in ANY OTHER STATE,
OFFENDER REGISTRATION FOR 15 YEARS - comparable to the system traditionally
used for registered sex offenders. This new ANIMAL ABUSER REGISTRY is to be
maintained by each police department as well as a central registry
maintained by the Attorney General and containd all detailed personal
information except Social Security Number AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC. 
 
Failure to register is itself a felony.  In addition to other penalties, there are
mandatory prohibitions on possession of or "residing with" any animal for 5
years for misdemeanor and 15 years for felony, in addition to fines of
$1,000 or $5,000 respectively, reimbursement of all costs and restitution
to the guardian of any animal mistreated (actual money value of loss and
costs to cure.) 
 
Then comes a real catchall: "4-23-27. Bodily alterations, disablements or
removals. -- (a) It is unlawful for any person to remove or permanently
alter or disable, or cause or procure to be removed or permanently altered
or disabled, any part or organ, or the function of any part or organ, of an
animal except as necessary for proper veterinary care or population
control. (b) A violation of subsection (a) is a misdemeanor. (c) Each act
in violation of subsection (a) shall constitute a separate offense."
Apparently this includes dewclaws, tails and ears not to mention debarking
or declawing.  There is also a separate provision to enable any guardian of
an animal subjected to a violation of this law to sue for damages including
 "any other expenses incurred by the guardian in attempting to mollify the
effects of the violation, pain and suffering of the animal, emotional
distress and any loss of companionship suffered by the guardian" plus
$1,000 per violation the animal was "subjected to," any injunctive relief
the court might order to "abate further violations by the defendant" and a
3 year statute of limitations for bringing such an action.  Any dying or
artificial coloring of an animal is a misdemeanor. 
 
A separate provision requires a motorist who "knowingly injures an animal" to immediate stop,
make a reasonable effort to ascertain the injuries and give attention,
immediately report the injuries to the guardian (if known) and immediately
notify law enforcement of the location and provide all the motorist's
information.  Failure to do any of these is a misdemeanor. 
 
Any sale or transfer of an animal to a research or educational facility in Rhode Island
is a misdemeanor.  And the final provision allowes up to $10,000
"noneconomic damages" for the death of a pet dog or cat - with the same
provisions as current California SB 225 (Vincent -- $4,000 damages) except
for the California statutory exemption allowing killing of a dog bothering
livestock.  It's no small irony that the word "guardian" does not appear in
this Rhode Island provision, imported from California!
 
 
The sponsors are all Democrats, Peter L. Lewiss, an attorney, and Charlene
Lima*, Raymond E. Gallison, Gordon D. Fox and Joanne M. Giannini*.  H 5817
has been assigned to the House Health Education and Welfare Committee
(phone 401-222-2296) email link to committee members at:
<http://www.rilin.state.ri.us/scripts/ComMembers/ComMem.asp?ComChoice=HHEW>
 
*Chair Joanne M. Giannini, D-7 Providence, 401/222-2466
repgiannini@rilin.state.ri.us
VCh Joseph M. McNamara D-19 Cranston, Warwick 401/222-2466
repmcnamara@rilin.state.ri.us
Edith H. Ajello D-3 Providence 401/222/2466 rep-ajello@rilin.state.ri.us
Stephen J. Anderson D-29 Coventry, W. Greenwich 401/222-2466
rep-anderson@rilin.state.ri.us
Richard A. Aubin D-47 Burrillville, Glocester 401/222-1478
rep-aubin@rilin.state.ri.us
Mary Cerra D-42 Cranston, Johnston 401/222-1478
rep-cerra@rilin.state.ri.us
Peter T. Ginaitt D-22 Warwick 401/222-2466 rep-ginaitt@rilin.state.ri.us
Arthur Handy D-18 Cranston 401/222-1478 rep-handy@rilin.state.ri.us
John B. Harwood D-59 Pawtucket 401/222-2466 rep-harwood@rilin.state.ri.us
*Charlene Lima  D-14 Cranston 401/222-2466  rep-lima@rilin.state.ri.us
William J. McManus I-46 Lincoln, Pawtucket  401/222-1478
rep-mcmanus@rilin.state.ri.us
Susan Story  R-66 Barrington, East Providence  401/222-1478
rep-story@rilin.state.ri.us
Anastasia Williams  D-9 Providence  401/222-2466
rep-williams@rilin.state.ri.us
 
Email link page for all members of the Rhode Island House
http://www.rilin.state.ri.us/Scripts/Email/RepEmailListName.asp
 
Even better is a hard to find URL with names, addresses, phone numbers and
email links for both House and Senate member
<http://www.state.ri.us/MANUAL/data/queries/legadd.idc?>