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Laws for Paws e-Newslett
er
March 2017
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ANIMALS NEED YOUR HELP!
Senate Bill (SB) 331 Would Leave Abused and Neglected Animals in the Hands of Their Abusers
PLEASE CALL YOUR STATE SENATOR
ASK YOUR SENATOR TO VOTE
NO ON SB 331
Click here to find your state senator
PLEASE CALL OR EMAIL TODAY!!
The Senate Agriculture Committee has passed SB 331 which would severely weaken the state's anti-cruelty statutes by eliminating disposition hearings for animals that have been abused and/or neglected, and would leave them in the hands of their abusers.
Currently, state prosecutors can seek a disposition hearing in a timely manner for animals that have been cruelly treated and subsequently seized by law enforcement officials. A judge can order such animals to be surrendered to an animal shelter, veterinarian, or the appropriate animal control authority. This ensures that the animals will not remain in the control of those who have abused or neglected them and expedites their adoption into good homes. SB 331 would eliminate this disposition process and would leave these poor animals in the hands of their abusers.
SB 331 ALSO ELIMINATES THE AUTHORITY OF ANIMAL CONTROL OFFICERS TO INVESTIGATE ANIMAL CRUELTY AND REMOVE ANIMALS THAT HAVE BEEN ABUSED OR NEGLECTED
SB 331 IS A MALICIOUS AND BLATANT ATTEMPT TO ALLOW ANIMALS TO SUFFER
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ANIMALS UNDER ATTACK IN MISSOURI LEGISLATURE
In addition to Senate Bill 331 which would eliminate the disposition process for abused and neglected animals (as mentioned in our Alert above), there are over a dozen more bills that would seriously weaken protections for animals. Most distressing are the attempts to eliminate protections for farm animals - especially those housed in large industrialized factory farms.
You can view all the pending legislation by clicking here.
One of the most nefarious bills introduced this session is Senate Bill 156. This bill wants the Department of Agriculture to regulate and monitor all animal care training in the state. This encompasses all instructions on animal care including high school classes, 4-H clubs, college courses, vocation schools and even online courses. This even includes veterinarians when educating pet owners on the care of their animals. SB 156 would also include animal shelters and animal control officers. Anyone who educates the public on animal care would need approval and certification by the Department of Agriculture.
Senate Bill 156 also wants to regulate the training of all law enforcement personnel throughout the state as it relates to their investigation of crimes against animals. SB 156 grants the Department of Agriculture authority over all training materials pertaining to the state criminal statutes even though the Department has no authority, purview, experience or expertise in the criminal code. The Department of Agriculture is no more qualified to teach law enforcement how to investigate crimes against animals than the Department of Health is qualified to teach law enforcement how to investigate crimes against humans.
Senate Bill 156 would establish a regulatory process to police all individuals who conduct training on the care of animals
. The sponsor foresees "monitors across the state." This is government overreach at its worst.
Senate Bill 156 would criminalize free speech such as someone giving out information on the care of animals without a certification from the Department of Agriculture.
The most dangerous aspect of this bill is that it would give the Department of Agriculture the authority to regulate the training of law enforcement agencies as it relates to their investigation of crimes against animals.
This is viewed by many as an attempt to intimidate law enforcement from investigating animal abuse and neglect.
LAW ENFORCEMENT NEEDS TO BE ABLE TO DO THEIR JOB WITHOUT INTERFERENCE FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
You can be assured that the Alliance will be there fighting to defeat SB 156 and to defend all of our laws protecting animals. We need your support and assistance, however, as we work to defeat these ominous bills. Please let your state legislators know how you feel about legislation impacting animals. Do not be fooled if you are told that SB 156 has been amended. The Senate Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 156 contains all of the nefarious provisions mentioned above.
To find your State Representative and State Senator, click
here
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Help the Alliance continue to
fight for the animals.
Please consider a donation today!
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MEET THE ALLIANCE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Ed Throop - Secretary
Ed first became involved in animal welfare when he was asked to be on the board of the Humane Society of Missouri (HSMO) in the mid 1990s. After six years he was elected president/chairperson of the board, serving in that capacity for a little over 4 years. He remained on the board for a total of 12 years. Ed is the co-founder of the Animal House Fund, an organization created to help the city of St. Louis address its lagging commitment to the city's animals. They started a cat shelter in 2009 and it currently serves thousands of cats a year with health care, shelter and adoptions. Ed joined the Missouri Alliance for Animal Legislation some 10 years ago, and was honored with the Grace Korsan Award in 2003. He currently serves as Secretary to the Alliance.
In addition to his animal related charity work, Ed also serves on the board of St. Louis Men's Group Against Cancer (SLMGAC), the board of the Boy Scouts of America, the Semper Fi Society board, the advisory board of the USO of Missouri, and the Vietnam Veterans Round Table. Although retired, Ed is Chairman of the Board and co-founder of the Business Bank of St. Louis. He also owns and operates "La Salsa Fresh Mexican Grill".
* SPOTLIGHT *
[ Each month we feature an Alliance board member. Stay tuned! ]
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JOIN US ON HUMANE DAY AT THE CAPITOL!
The Alliance will be hosting its annual
Humane Day at the Capitol
on Tuesday, April 4, 2017
Humane Day is an important way for individuals to advocate for animals by visiting with your legislators in Jefferson City. Animal welfare organizations from all parts of Missouri set up displays in the 3rd Floor Rotunda in order to provide legislators and event attendees with information about efforts and issues related to animal welfare. Individuals attending are invited to visit with these organizations, receive information from the Alliance on current legislation being considered in the General Assembly, and meet with their legislators.
Please
click here for more information and to register NOW!
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The Alliance Featured on Cesar Millan's new TV show "DOG NATION" !
Tune in to NatGeo Wild's new TV show "
Dog Nation"
~ Spotlight on Missouri Puppy Mills ~
March 24th Episode (9/8pm Central)
As part of NatGeo Wild's new Cesar Millan series "
Dog Nation", Alliance executive director Bob Baker spent an afternoon with the famed Dog Whisperer and his son Andre while they were in St. Louis this past October. Word of the Alliance's accomplishments in closing down 1,200 puppy mills had reached Cesar Millan, who was prompted to feature en entire episode on Missouri puppy mills for his new television series. The Alliance is confident that Cesar and Andre's new show, specifically the March 24th episode at 9pm /8pm Central, will help raise even greater awareness of the plight of dogs in puppy mills. You can access NatGeo Wild on the following channels in the state of Missouri:
Charter: 124
Sling TV: yes
ATT U-Verse: 266 or 1266 HD
Direct TV: 283 or 283 HD
DISH: 190
Time Warner: 130 or 130 HD
Mediacom: 290
For more information and to read about Bob Baker's interview and a preview of the upcoming March 24th (St. Louis) episode, visit
Dog Nation. You can also check out
Nat Geo Wild.
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Most Successful
Open Your Heart Ever!
The Missouri Alliance for Animal Legislation held its 14th annual
Open Your Heart gala at Lucas Park Grille last month and it was the "Wildest", most successful fundraiser yet!
As our major event of the year, we depend on Open Your Heart to fund one third of the Alliance's budget - therefore, every contribution received from a sponsorship, a ticket purchase, an auction bid, or a donation, is greatly appreciated.
So, we'd like to share a huge THANK YOU to fellow animal welfare advocates who joined us last month - we hope you enjoyed the creative decor, fabulous food, and lively auctions that took place. We had a fantastic time sharing stories and catching up and making new friends. We look forward to next year's Open Your Heart and invite your feedback at any time!
Again, thank you for Opening YOUR Heart to the Alliance and for supporting the ongoing fight for humane legislation.
For a glimpse of the evening's festivities, click
here.
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St. Louis Earth Day Festival
Saturday/Sunday, April 22/23, 2017
11:00am - 5:00pm
Muny Ground, Forest Park
An Earth Day celebration that is uniquely St. Louis. Dog-friendly!
The Alliance can always use volunteers to help represent us and promote awareness of animal welfare, so if you would like to join us at this tabling event, shoot us an email. For more info on this event, click Earth Day.
Woofstock Festival for Dogs and People - Kansas City
Sunday, May 01, 2017
The Alliance will have a table at this year's Woofstock Festival in Kansas City. If you'd like to join us as a volunteer, shoot us an email - we'd love to have you! For more info on this event, click
Woofstock Festival.
Community Table Night at Baileys' Range
Monday, May 22, 2017
5:00pm - 8:00pm
On Monday, May 22, 2017,
Baileys' Range will host a Community Table fundraiser benefiting the Missouri Alliance for Animal Legislation!
Each month, Baileys' Range selects a local charity or non-profit organization to which they donate 25% of ALL SALES from 5-8pm.
Besides an array of creative burgers and tasty shakes, Baileys' Range offers some amazing side dishes, salads, and a spicy veggie burger. We are looking forward to Monday in May.
See you there!
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Facelift! Makeover! Renovation!
We're talking about the
Alliance website!
You'll be able to take a peek at it in
just a few more days, so stay tuned!
We hope you'll enjoy the updated feel and look!
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