ANIMAL PEOPLE is the
leading independent newspaper providing original investigative coverage
of animal protection worldwide. Founded in 1992, ANIMAL PEOPLE has
no alignment or affiliation with any other entity.
The U.S. Virgin Islands on May 5 gained an anti-cruelty law, after five
years of negotiation and passage of two bills in nine months that were
vetoed by Governor Charles W. Turnbull, who favored weaker penalties and
fewer offenses, and opposed any restrictions on cockfighting In final
form, the bill exempts cockfighting, does not permit felony prosecution
of cruelty, and eliminates jail time for neglect.
West Virginia Governor Joe Manchin has thus far into 2005 signed into
law bills that require animal shelters to sterilize dogs and cats before
adoption, require rabies vaccination of dogs and cats using a three-year
vaccine, and prohibit “remote control” hunting, i.e. hunting
with the hunter and prey not at the same location.
Washington Governor Christine Gregoire is expected to sign into law a
bill permitting prosecution of animal neglect as a felony. Unanimously
approved by the state legislature, the bill was pushed by Susan Michaels,
who in 1992 cofounded the Pasado’s Safe Haven sanctuary in memory
of a severely abused donkey whose tormenters recived only misdemeanor
penalties. Michaels in 1994 won passage of Pasado’s Law, one of the
first laws in the U.S. to allow prosecution of intentional cruelty as
a felony. Similar laws have now been enacted in most states.
Iowa Governor Governor Tom Vilsack is expected to sign into law a bill
mandating that hunting regulations be amended to reduce the state deer
herd by 25%. In the short run the bill may stimulate hunting. In the long
run, it accepts that falling participation in hunting is a longterm trend.
The bill cleared the Iowa House of Representatives 97-3, and was unanimously
passed by the Iowa Senate.
Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue has stated his intent to sign into law a
bill creating a state Dog & Cat Sterilization Fund, supported by an
income tax return checkoff. The bill was introduced by state representative
Gene Maddox, DVM.
