The
2003 General Assembly will convene on February 4th. To date
3 felony animal cruelty bills have been filed:
Senate
Bill (SB) 24, introduced in the Senate on 1/7/03 by Sen.
Tom Buford was assigned to the Senate Judiciary Committee
on 1/10/03. SB 24 elevates the torture and mutilation of
dogs and cats to a class D felony. http://www.lrc.state.ky.us/record/03rs/SB24/bill.doc
House
Bill (HB) 243, introduced in the House on 1/10/03 by Representative
Bill Farmer of Lexington, the 88th District, is a mirror
bill to SB 24. HB 243 has not been assigned to a committee
but will most likely be assigned to the House Judiciary
Committee. http://www.lrc.state.ky.us/record/03rs/HB243/bill.doc
House
Bill (HB) 214, was introduced in the House on 1/10/03, it
is being sponsored by Representative Palumbo of Lexington
and co-sponsored by Rep. J. Jenkins, Rep. C. Belcher, Rep.
M. Harper, Rep. M. Marzian, Rep. M. Rader, Rep. S. Riggs,
Rep. D. Sims, Rep. K. Stein, Rep. J. Wayne, and Rep. R.
Webb. HB 214 elevates the torture of animals to a class
D felony, allows the court to order counseling, allows for
the removal of the animal(s) in questions, upon conviction
the court may confiscate the animal(s) in question and requires
the defendant to reimburse the facility for the care of
the animal(s) upon conviction.
http://www.lrc.state.ky.us/record/03rs/HB214/bill.doc
City
of Park Hills, KY
The
City of Park Hills, KY, passed a resolution on January 13,
2003 giving its complete support to the felony animal cruelty
bill. City Council has authorized Mayor Hellmann to take
any steps he deems necessary to communicate their support
of this proposed law.
Contact your city and/or county government and ask them
to pass a resolution supporting a felony animal cruelty
law.
IT'S
TIME TO MAKE THOSE PHONE CALLS AND WRITE LETTERS.
Legislative Message Hotline: 1-800-372-7181
When
writing, keep it short and to the point. They do not have
time to read long letters. Ask then to support Senate Bill
24, House Bill 243 and House Bill 214. You can find your
legislators' addresses and phone numbers by going to: http://www.lrc.state.ky.us/whoswho/whoswho.htm
You
can search by name or district. Remember to contact both
you Senator and your Representative. Ask friends and family
to do the same.
Thank
you,
Beckey
J. Reiter, Legislative Coordinator
Kentucky
Animal Care & Control Association
