Today is the last day for California legislators to introduce bills. This is a general overview of the California legislative process and this is the 2011 legislative calendar.
As of 2/18/2011, these are the bills I plan on tracking for both personal and professional reasons. Some of them might interest my California readers. This post will be updated when it is time for bills to be heard in committee and the house/senate or when substantive changes are made to the language. I will include contact information for legislators when the time is appropriate. It's easy to be part of the legislative process. Remember, legislators understand that one letter from a constituent is not just one letter but represents thousands of other constituents who feel the same way. Your voice counts. Be involved.
Assembly Bills
AB 258 - Rabies Exemption
Introduced By: Assembly Member Hagman
What it Would Do: Would amend the Health and Safety Code to permit exemptions to the current rabies license law. It would allow an annual exemption of the rabies vaccine to dogs whose lives might be endangered by the vaccine, as determined by a veterinarian. It would require that any dog who is deemed exempt from a rabies vaccine be leashed at all times when off the home property and not have contact with any other unvaccinated dog or cat. Dogs exempted would be legally considered unvaccinated. The law would prohibit the license exemption from extending beyond a year, and an annual renewal would be required.
Status: Assembly Committee on Agriculture
What I Like: Provides options to guardians concerned about the negative health consequences of over-vaccination. Allows diseased or immunocompromised dogs the chance to live a longer life without aggravating their disease with a vaccine.
What I Don't Like: Criminalizes dog owners by forcing them to confine their dogs on leashes off their home property and essentially prohibits contact with other dogs and cats. Defines an exempted dog as "unvaccinated" - this is not necessarily a medical reality as far as antibodies are concerned. The language for the issuance of an exemption states that the local health officer may issue an exemption. That means they may not.
What I would Like to See Change: Change of the word "may" to "shall" or some other less vague legalese word. Elimination of the leashed requirements off home property. Elimination of language that claims an exempted dog is unvaccinated. Perhaps replace with language that requires titering and antibody levels BEFORE labeling the dog unvaccinated.
Position: Tentative Support
AB 376 - Prohibition of Shark Fin Sales/Possession
Introduced by Assembly Members Fong and Huffman
What It Would Do: Would add a section to the Fish and Game Code that would make it unlawful for anyone to possess, sell or offer for sale shark fins, as specified.
Status: Assembly Water, Parks and Wildlife
What I Like: Sharks.
What I don't Like: Shark Finning
What I would Like to See Change: Nothing
Position: Support
AB 564 - Spay-Neuter Fund
Introduced by Assemblymember Cameron Smyth
What it Would Do: Requires tax preparers to notify taxpayers of volunteer contribution funds. Would add, if another fund option is removed, the Municipal Shelter SPay-Neuter Fund check-off.
What I Like: Shelter animals getting spayed and neutered.
Status: Assembly Revenue and Taxation, hearing 4/4/11
Position: Support
AB 606 - Use of Conservation Easements for Hunting and Fishing
Introduced by Assemblymember Gatto
What it Would Do: Require state-owned conservation easements to be accessible to hunters and fisherpeople.
Status: Assembly Water, Parks and Wildlife, 3/22/11
What I Like: Shooting animals - WITH MY CAMERA.
What I Don't Like: Shooting animals - WITH MY GUN.
Position: Oppose
AB 1117 - Penalties for Animal Cruelty
Introduced by Assemblymember Cameron Smyth
What It Would Do: Requires a mandatory ban on ownership of animals for those convicted of a misdemeanor or felony animal cruelty/neglect violation (5-yr ban for the former, 10-yrs for the latter). Requires those convicted of animal cruelty relinquish ownership of animals, if they have paid for their care in the shelter.
Status: None
What I Like: Mandatory ban on owning animals after being convicted of cruelty to animals.
What I Don't Like: The livestock exemption. Lack of wording to ensure relinquished animals are rehomed, not killed.
Position: Support
AB 1162 - Poaching Penalties
Introduced by Assemblymember Wes Chesbro
Status: None
What It Would Do: Increases the maximum civil penalty for poaching from $10,000 to $40,000.
Position: Support
Senate Bills
SB 425 - Animal Fighting
Introduced by Senator Calderon
What It Would Do: Would require minimum fines for the following: persons found guilty of dog fighting, being a spectator at a prize fight, using caged live animals to train dogs, possession of paraphernalia related to cockfighting.
What I Like: To understand this bill requires understanding how difficult it has been implementing any change in the current animal fighting laws, especially cockfighting (which remains a wobbler law - misdemeanor first, felony MAYBE afterwards). Our prison system is severely overcrowded and costly. The legislature has, for the past several years, fought tooth and nail against any introduced bill that would change misdemeanors to felonies or increase prison times for existing felonies. This is one way of increasing penalties for animal bloodsports without increasing prison times.
What I Don't Like: Cockfighting should be a felony, period.
Position: Support
SB 917 - Sale of Animals, Animal Abuse Penalties
Introduced by Senator Ted Lieu
Status: None
What It WOuld Do: Ban the sale of animals in parking lots, carnivals, boardwalks, public right of ways. Would allow jail time for those convicted of cruelly treating animals.
Position: Support
Friday, February 18, 2011
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Shelters Doing Good 6
Things shelters or rescues are doing that other animal agencies could replicate! Some may be obvious, others may not. There is no reason to kill medically healthy animals, and these are some ways to reduce kill rates.
Ask for volunteers: The HUmane Society of NW Montana wants help! And they're promoting it through the local media, asking folks to come out for an orientation. Volunteering improves the lives of shelter animals and helps reduce the stress and strain on shelter staff.
Take dogs on hikes:Stray Rescue has a neat program wherein they take dogs at the shelter on hikes IN THE WOODS. Sometimes water. Whatever the dog wants. This gives the dog a break from the shelter and gives volunteers more of an idea on the dog's personality and behavior. You can read their blog here.
Appeal to sports fans: How about them Packers? I'm a fan for one reason: Aaron Rodgers, who the 49ers should have kept but stupidly didn't. STUPID HEADS. The Wisconsin Humane Society is offering a great deal - wear your Packers gear and get $10 off a dog, cat or rabbit through February 6th. Then dress your dog, cat, or rabbit up as AARON RODGERS and host an awesome Super Bowl party in which the Steelers are trounced! This works for all sporting events, except golf. Because that is not a sport, folks.
Do a lot of crazy stuff: Sangamon County Animal Control has seen an 82% reduction in their kill rate in the past five years. That is not a miracle, people, that is simply the result of being creative and taking common sense approaches to stopping the unnecessary killing of healthy animals. In 2010, they killed 192 animals for space purposes, down from 1,077 in 2006. Sadly, most of the dogs killed were Pit Bulls - people adopt them, yo. The shelter has a great volunteer program, works with other rescues and off-site adoption sites, promoting a spay neuter clinic. You can adopt an animal from the shelter or at ACE or at Petsmart or some place called Gander Mountain which I hope doesn't have a lot of geese.
I would love to profile shelters YOU know that are doing good. Feel free to email me here.
Ask for volunteers: The HUmane Society of NW Montana wants help! And they're promoting it through the local media, asking folks to come out for an orientation. Volunteering improves the lives of shelter animals and helps reduce the stress and strain on shelter staff.
Take dogs on hikes:Stray Rescue has a neat program wherein they take dogs at the shelter on hikes IN THE WOODS. Sometimes water. Whatever the dog wants. This gives the dog a break from the shelter and gives volunteers more of an idea on the dog's personality and behavior. You can read their blog here.
Appeal to sports fans: How about them Packers? I'm a fan for one reason: Aaron Rodgers, who the 49ers should have kept but stupidly didn't. STUPID HEADS. The Wisconsin Humane Society is offering a great deal - wear your Packers gear and get $10 off a dog, cat or rabbit through February 6th. Then dress your dog, cat, or rabbit up as AARON RODGERS and host an awesome Super Bowl party in which the Steelers are trounced! This works for all sporting events, except golf. Because that is not a sport, folks.
Do a lot of crazy stuff: Sangamon County Animal Control has seen an 82% reduction in their kill rate in the past five years. That is not a miracle, people, that is simply the result of being creative and taking common sense approaches to stopping the unnecessary killing of healthy animals. In 2010, they killed 192 animals for space purposes, down from 1,077 in 2006. Sadly, most of the dogs killed were Pit Bulls - people adopt them, yo. The shelter has a great volunteer program, works with other rescues and off-site adoption sites, promoting a spay neuter clinic. You can adopt an animal from the shelter or at ACE or at Petsmart or some place called Gander Mountain which I hope doesn't have a lot of geese.
I would love to profile shelters YOU know that are doing good. Feel free to email me here.
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Why Didn't Amazon Call Mina?
For reals. If you ever meet Mina, and you should, you will be licked by her. She is the Queen of Tongue Action. She will find a way to french kiss you. Remember what I said about bold-facing. It's actually quite true in Mina's case.
Now, I don't know if the kindle-zest licker is a Pit bull (but I bet she is part Pit Bull, especially the nose part), but she has a pinkísh nose, so that makes her pretty awesome in my book. Not as awesome as Mina who would have been PERFECT for that licking scene. They would only have to do it in one take too. That's how good Mina is.
Amazon, in the future, when you're not selling cockfighting magazines, please remember to call up your friendly pink-nosed Pit Bull Mina for all your kindle licking and/or actor/actress licking needs.
Her head-shot for your approval:
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Rehabilitating Fighting Dogs is Foolish and Dangerous to Children
Examiner.com, here I come! Turns out, anyone can write an article and call it news. Anyone, in this specific instance, is Luke Swanhart who works in the health care field but also fancies himself an expert on pet issues. He's a member of PETA and obviously they are the bastion of sane and level-headed...oh wait, nevermind.
Luke Swanhart is concerned about our nation's children. They must be protected from fighting dogs who apparently get flashbacks that send them into a rage.
Other Things Swanhart is Concerned About:
Anti-Hero Worshipping
According to Swanhart in his opening, "Pit bulls. The nation, including Florida, has gone to pit bull worship based on the glory and fame of the NFL and Michael Vick."
I am unclear where Swanhart gets his information for this statement, but I guess he just starts his article with a false premise and goes from there.
"keep in mind - dogs - which are animals - can't talk. You may be able to correct the behavior but flashbacks do occur"
Dogs cannot talk but Swanhart has a direct line to their inner monlogue and knows that "fighting dogs" get flashbacks. I do not believe there is any peer-reviewed behavioral journal article entitled "Fighting Dogs - Computerized Model Depicts Violent Flashbacks". But perhaps Swanhart will start his own study, "Fighting Dogs - I Know What They Think", it will be a big hit, I'm sure.
Bold-Face Makes Me Right
"Meanwhile the other dogs are sadly ignored and killed by the millions in municipal pounds everywhere-but they don’t count-they aren’t pit bulls. So in people’s minds they don’t even exist."
Bold-face makes it true. Bold-face makes it true. Just in case you didn't believe me the first time.
Racism, Classism Are My Friends
Lancaster, California is brought up. I fail anyone's breed-ban-support argument if they bring up Lancaster. It's like Godwin's law of BSL-discussion. The mayor of Lancaster believes "gang-bangers" (read: poor, not white people) are the only ones who own Pit Bulls and Rottweilers. Requiring the mandatory castration of Pit Bulls and Rottweilers will, in the mayor's mind, reduce gang-related crimes and keep those poor, non-white people in line, yo. On what planet is the removal of a dog's uterus going to reduce human crime? No offense to anyone who believes that crap (Swanhart!), but that is the stupidest attempt at causation I've ever seen made. Point of fact - gang related crime was declining two years prior to the mandatory castration, it was declining ACROSS the entire Antelope Valley, and it was declining in nearby Palmdale w/ no breed-specific castration and with similar demographics. You can read the details here.
Luke Swanhart is concerned about our nation's children. They must be protected from fighting dogs who apparently get flashbacks that send them into a rage.
Other Things Swanhart is Concerned About:
Anti-Hero Worshipping
According to Swanhart in his opening, "Pit bulls. The nation, including Florida, has gone to pit bull worship based on the glory and fame of the NFL and Michael Vick."
I am unclear where Swanhart gets his information for this statement, but I guess he just starts his article with a false premise and goes from there.
"keep in mind - dogs - which are animals - can't talk. You may be able to correct the behavior but flashbacks do occur"
Dogs cannot talk but Swanhart has a direct line to their inner monlogue and knows that "fighting dogs" get flashbacks. I do not believe there is any peer-reviewed behavioral journal article entitled "Fighting Dogs - Computerized Model Depicts Violent Flashbacks". But perhaps Swanhart will start his own study, "Fighting Dogs - I Know What They Think", it will be a big hit, I'm sure.
Bold-Face Makes Me Right
"Meanwhile the other dogs are sadly ignored and killed by the millions in municipal pounds everywhere-but they don’t count-they aren’t pit bulls. So in people’s minds they don’t even exist."
Bold-face makes it true. Bold-face makes it true. Just in case you didn't believe me the first time.
Racism, Classism Are My Friends
Lancaster, California is brought up. I fail anyone's breed-ban-support argument if they bring up Lancaster. It's like Godwin's law of BSL-discussion. The mayor of Lancaster believes "gang-bangers" (read: poor, not white people) are the only ones who own Pit Bulls and Rottweilers. Requiring the mandatory castration of Pit Bulls and Rottweilers will, in the mayor's mind, reduce gang-related crimes and keep those poor, non-white people in line, yo. On what planet is the removal of a dog's uterus going to reduce human crime? No offense to anyone who believes that crap (Swanhart!), but that is the stupidest attempt at causation I've ever seen made. Point of fact - gang related crime was declining two years prior to the mandatory castration, it was declining ACROSS the entire Antelope Valley, and it was declining in nearby Palmdale w/ no breed-specific castration and with similar demographics. You can read the details here.
Monday, February 14, 2011
The Arrogance of Colorado Aurora and Denver
I get protesting and making your voice heard for perceived injustice. That is something I wholeheartedly embrace, like watching Egyptians take back their country. Fighting oppression is awesome and amazing, I give accolades to anyone brave enough to do it (and it's easy to do, so kudos to anyone who's written a letter or protested or spoken up.)
But what I don't get is even considering fighting a federal anti-discriminatory law because your city is a whiny toddler who apparently thinks they are above federal mandate because, well, because waah, waah, the end of the world will happen!
The Americans with Disabilities Act offers a modicum of protection to "disabled" people who want the same basic opportunities as anyone else. You know, the ability to live in the same housing and shop at the same stores. For people who rely on service dogs to maneuver this ableist world, it's imperative that accommodations and modifications are made so that they can engage their world in as "normal"a fashion as possible.
But what I don't get is even considering fighting a federal anti-discriminatory law because your city is a whiny toddler who apparently thinks they are above federal mandate because, well, because waah, waah, the end of the world will happen!
The Americans with Disabilities Act offers a modicum of protection to "disabled" people who want the same basic opportunities as anyone else. You know, the ability to live in the same housing and shop at the same stores. For people who rely on service dogs to maneuver this ableist world, it's imperative that accommodations and modifications are made so that they can engage their world in as "normal"a fashion as possible.
Is This A Chesapeake Bay Retriever?
On February 9, a 10-yr-old girl was severely injured by a dog described as a Chesapeake Bay Retriever. Another girl suffered a minor bite wound.
Not much is known about the attack. The dog was let out of his kennel and apparently began attacking the 10-yr-old girl, whom he did not know.
The dog is 2-yrs-old and male.
This news story posts a video which includes Charlie, the Chessie. You can view it here.
So far as I know Chesapeake Bay Retrievers are not that common. I have met five Chessies. Three belonged to an animal control officer who loved the more reserved, more protective Chessies and rescued them anytime they ended up at the shelter. Two belonged to a duck hunter who used them for retrieving downed waterfowl. They were all affable dogs, and I liked them. But they were not quite so galumphy as other Retriever-type dogs I've met. Five dogs is not a statistically significant sample size, so just take those observations at face value.
Perhaps some Chessie or Retriever experts can offer their input - is this dog a Chesapeake Bay Retriever? The quality of the video isn't great, but I can't help but think this is either a REALLY poorly bred Chessie or not a Chessie at all.
Not much is known about the attack. The dog was let out of his kennel and apparently began attacking the 10-yr-old girl, whom he did not know.
The dog is 2-yrs-old and male.
This news story posts a video which includes Charlie, the Chessie. You can view it here.
So far as I know Chesapeake Bay Retrievers are not that common. I have met five Chessies. Three belonged to an animal control officer who loved the more reserved, more protective Chessies and rescued them anytime they ended up at the shelter. Two belonged to a duck hunter who used them for retrieving downed waterfowl. They were all affable dogs, and I liked them. But they were not quite so galumphy as other Retriever-type dogs I've met. Five dogs is not a statistically significant sample size, so just take those observations at face value.
Perhaps some Chessie or Retriever experts can offer their input - is this dog a Chesapeake Bay Retriever? The quality of the video isn't great, but I can't help but think this is either a REALLY poorly bred Chessie or not a Chessie at all.
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Saturday, February 12, 2011
Around the Intarwebz
Another rooster has decided to take on the human scum forcing him to fight. In California, a rooster stabbed a man in the thigh with one of the knives attached to his legs. The guy bled to death.
A woman is a little peeved after her 20-lb dog was tased by police. The dog, an overweight Chihuahua apparently chased down officers and was at risk of, I don't know, taking them out. So she was tased for five seconds, including a prong to the eyeball. The dog is now seizuring frequently and may have suffered permanent brain damage.
This story is so sad on so many levels. A 20-yr-old marine in Afghanistan needlessly lost his life from sniper fire. His bomb-sniffing dog, Eli, then crawled on top of his dying friend to try and protect him from further harm. It was too late. But now Eli has a new home with the marine's family. The kid (b/c at 20, you're still a kid and shouldn't be shot at, dammit, here or in Afghanistan) loved Eli so much and would even include "Eli kisses" on his correspondence to family. Be prepared to cry, if you have a heart that is.
A Labrador Retriever helps a little girl with diabetes avoid slipping into a coma. Dogs can be neat like that.
A Pit Bull in has been granted a reprieve from a death sentence over a 2008 incident involving a cat, in which the animal was killed. The dog has been on "death row" for the past two years. The dog finally gets to go home.
A nice opinion piece in the Durhamregion.com entitled "Pit Bull Ban: Hard Cases Make Bad Law".
A German Shorthaired Pointer saved the day by yelling DANGER WILL ROBINSON, DANGER! or barking incessantly enough for her family to realize the house was on fire.
Springfield, Manitoba RM decides against banning Pit Bulls.
Haha, just kidding German Shepherd owner who let his dog loose outside a store to attack people, you thought you could get off without charges. Wrong. Sadly, the dog was killed, but at least the owner is going to be charged (previous reports stated he wasn't). Ontario, u r doin it so wrong!
The UK may not take dog bites seriously, but they do take abuse against dogs serious. A man who punched, kicked, and beat his Staffordshire Bull Terrier (WHO DID NOT EAT HIM BACK!) has been banned from owning dogs for life (with a five year appeal), has a curfew for 20 weeks (be home by 7 pm, yo), among other things. Tyson, the dog he abused, is chilling in a new home with people who pet him instead of hit him.
A woman is a little peeved after her 20-lb dog was tased by police. The dog, an overweight Chihuahua apparently chased down officers and was at risk of, I don't know, taking them out. So she was tased for five seconds, including a prong to the eyeball. The dog is now seizuring frequently and may have suffered permanent brain damage.
This story is so sad on so many levels. A 20-yr-old marine in Afghanistan needlessly lost his life from sniper fire. His bomb-sniffing dog, Eli, then crawled on top of his dying friend to try and protect him from further harm. It was too late. But now Eli has a new home with the marine's family. The kid (b/c at 20, you're still a kid and shouldn't be shot at, dammit, here or in Afghanistan) loved Eli so much and would even include "Eli kisses" on his correspondence to family. Be prepared to cry, if you have a heart that is.
A Labrador Retriever helps a little girl with diabetes avoid slipping into a coma. Dogs can be neat like that.
A Pit Bull in has been granted a reprieve from a death sentence over a 2008 incident involving a cat, in which the animal was killed. The dog has been on "death row" for the past two years. The dog finally gets to go home.
A nice opinion piece in the Durhamregion.com entitled "Pit Bull Ban: Hard Cases Make Bad Law".
A German Shorthaired Pointer saved the day by yelling DANGER WILL ROBINSON, DANGER! or barking incessantly enough for her family to realize the house was on fire.
Springfield, Manitoba RM decides against banning Pit Bulls.
Haha, just kidding German Shepherd owner who let his dog loose outside a store to attack people, you thought you could get off without charges. Wrong. Sadly, the dog was killed, but at least the owner is going to be charged (previous reports stated he wasn't). Ontario, u r doin it so wrong!
The UK may not take dog bites seriously, but they do take abuse against dogs serious. A man who punched, kicked, and beat his Staffordshire Bull Terrier (WHO DID NOT EAT HIM BACK!) has been banned from owning dogs for life (with a five year appeal), has a curfew for 20 weeks (be home by 7 pm, yo), among other things. Tyson, the dog he abused, is chilling in a new home with people who pet him instead of hit him.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)