New laws could help protect animals
On Feb. 19, the Humane Society of the United States held State Humane Lobby Day in capitols across the country.
In Raleigh, Humane Society members from all over North Carolina spoke with their legislators regarding upcoming bills that, if passed, will bring positive changes for our animals. Rowan County advocates spoke with Rep. Lorene Coates, Rep. Fred Steen and Sen. Andrew Brock regarding four bills to be voted on during the 2009-2010 session and were delighted by their interest.
The first bill discussed was introduced by the American Human Association and Animal Law Coalition in January. It is supported by the Human Society of North Carolina:
– Humane Euthanasia ó House Bill 6 (Davie’s Law). This law would require the removal of all gas chambers from N.C. shelters. It would mandate euthanasia by lethal injection of sodium pentobarbital or an equivalent, or oral ingestion of the drug for all shelter animals. The law would also ban injection through the heart, a painful procedure known as heartstick.
The following bills will soon be introduced by the Humane Society of North Carolina:- Puppy mills with 20 or more breeder dogs must be licensed and inspected (no bill number yet).
– Stop inhumane dog chaining (no bill number yet).
– Stop the cruel trapping and penning of N.C. wildlife for purposes of gaming and hunting dog training (no bill number yet).
For more information about these and other bills, please visit www.hsus.org and click on “legislation,” then “state,” then “NC.” You can also email aarington@hsus.org or call 202-452-1100.
Please become an an active advocate for animals this legislative session. The kindness that is shown to animals may spread to other facets of our culture.
ó Whitney Bost
Salisbury
Wrong agenda
Regarding the gay marriage issue:
We have some problems with the chairman of the Rowan County County Board of Commissioners. It is hard to believe Carl Ford would bring up this kind of agenda.
There was nothing to vote for. It is already the law in North Carolina: No men marrying men and the same for women. I don’t think Rev. Garland Faw had any business trying to pull this referendum off in Rowan County.
Why did the commissioners take a vote on this agenda?
If you think about this agenda, I think Ford is looking out for Faw, his father-in-law.
This is a church and state conflict.
I think we need to replace Ford as soon as possible. Remove him from the commission.
ó Frank Deal
Salisbury