The following bills supported by 'animal rights' advocacy groups have been killed in the 124th legislature:
LD 412 (An Act to Create an Animal Welfare Trailer License Bill)
LD 9 (An Act To Prohibit the Force-feeding of Birds This bill makes force-feeding birds in order to produce the food product known as foie gras a civil violation.)
LD 560 (An Act To Ban the Hunting of Animals in Enclosed Areas)
LD 988 (An Act To Increase the Penalty for Keeping a Dangerous Dog That Harms a Domesticated Animal)
Maine Hunting Dog Owners testified in opposition.
LD 1053 (An Act To Ensure Humane Dog and Cat Breeding in the State - Rep. Stevens bill, she withdrew it)
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This is a bill that needs to be killed:
LD 186 (An Act Pertaining to the Possession of Animal Fighting Paraphernalia) . NAIA issued an action alert to Maine citizens to contact their legislators. See additional history here on this blog.
Maine Hunting Dog Owners testified in opposition.
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On April 15th, the public hearings on 5 animal welfare bills were heavily attended. We are awaiting the date for the Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry work sessions to be scheduled. Much work is still to be done concerning these bill. LD 964, LD 1103 continue to be of special concern to Maine Hunting Dog Owners. Maine Hunting Dog Owners testified in opposition to those two bills as they are written.
We also oppose LD 879, LD 517 but did not testify. We testified in support of 454. We support LD 1286 but did not testify. We testified in opposition to LD 988, and this bill is dead.
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Reponsible dog owners, breeders, animal owners and all concerned with the onslaught of animal rights legislation in Maine are in good hands.
It cannot be said enough, there is a huge difference between animal welfare and animal rights and the more coalitions and alliances are formed among groups the better. The fact of the matter is - we all need each other!
Now not all dog owners are hunters and not all hunters are dog owners. But we face a common foe - the animal rights industry - you know who I mean... In Maine, certain animal 'advocacy' groups have now started to publically demean the efforts of those who oppose them. Misquotes in media, verbal attacks on breeders, and even certain legislators publically criticizing mainstream groups in Maine who are working hard to educate the public, legislators, media regarding the animal rights industry.
We will continue to monitor and follow legislation on behalf of responsible sportsmen and women, dog and animal owners, breeders, and others to the best of our ability but heartily encourage individuals to take the first step in becoming involved in the process. There is a lot at stake here, and this is just the beginning.
Coming Next? Laws limiting the number of dogs a Maine citizen may legally own. These local and national groups have been working with their Maine constituents, members and others to support reasonable legislation and oppose restrictive legislation. For some it is all about the love of the animals. For others, it is about the love of the animals PLUS the rights of the animal owners. Responsible animal owners and responsible sportsmen and women must stick together !
