NOTE: The Maine Sportsman - New England's Largest Outdoor Publication - published the following story which I wrote for their May 2009 edition. The original title was "Of Parasites and Hunting Dogs" and was published as 'Parasites' Are Infecting Maine Legislation." It appeared in the Other Voices column on page 12.
"Harry Vanderweide's February column "Ramblings"uniquely addressed the issue of 'animal rights' or AR. Harry asked, "Do Intestinal Parasites, Have Animal' Rights?" I appreciate his question. It increases awareness of the invasive nature of a particular parasite, the AR/antis movement that has reached epidemic proportions in Maine.
According to the 2008 Report of the Animal Legal Defense Fund 3,400 animal welfare . statutes were reviewed from 50 states including Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands. The report lists Maine in the top five for best state animal protection laws. In other words, if parasites did have animal rights, Maine would be a safe haven. To be sure, Maine has the perfect environment for the growth of the AR movement.
Take into account that a principal lobbyist for the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) personally works within the Maine Legislature. HSUS claims to be a friend to animals but definitely is not a friend to Maine sportsmen and women. When legislation is introduced to protect the "rights" of animals, frequently the rights of people decrease. No wonder so many animal owners, sportsmen and women in Maine are suspicious of animal welfare bills.
Consider the strong emotions stirred up in hunters and trappers when legislation is introduced with language such as, "will ban trapping, hunting with hounds, or amend hunting laws." The AR/antis' goal to ban all hunting and trapping is known and documented. Consequently, the initial reaction of many Maine sportsmen and woman concerning such laws is one of alarm, even if proposed legislation supports their interests.
Dog owners react just as strongly and are equally suspicious. Animal welfare laws threatening to restrict and regulate the most basic dog ownership is on the rise. There is deep pride in owning a fine, working hunting dog responsibly bred for a specific purpose. "Fido" is also loved and enjoyed as a family pet. Owners who breed dogs occasionally, show dogs, compete with dogs, own multiple dogs, or hunt with their dogs should all be concerned. The parasitic AR epidemic seeks an end to all animal ownership and all breeding. It does not discriminate.
Recently, my husband and I 'attended a public legislative hearing on SP57, an "act to extend the season for training dogs." As owners of hunting dogs, this vague "concept" draft attracted our attention. We learned the focus of this legislation includes the amount of time bear hunters are permitted to train dogs. A majority of bear hunters support it. Perhaps SP57 is not AR legislation but it does demonstrate the importance of monitoring legislation.
Maine animal welfare laws are in a constant state of revision. Amendments and new laws are frequently added to protect against the abuses of animal cruelty and neglect. Why not enforce the existing laws? The abuse is that laws intended to protect the so called rights of animals negatively impact and seriously restrict the constitutional rights of responsible animal owners. There is no clear definition of animal rights.
American Kennel Club statistics for January and February 2009 indicate 200 pieces of AR legislation were introduced nationally. These bills include breed specifc legislation, strict anti-breeding bills, mandatory spay/neuter, limiting the practices of cropping tails, restricting the sale of puppies and increased license fees. In Maine, specific bills monitored by hunting dog owners refer to "dangerous dogs," animal fighting "paraphernalia," vendor/seller licenses, raising fees, limited number of dogs and tethering restrictions.
Sportsmen and women have experience opposing the antis. Dog owners have only just begun. The AR terms "canned hunting" and "puppy mills" powerfully divide the general public into extremes. Sportsmen and women and dog owners need to unite now against the outbreak of the parasitic AR epidemic in Maine. We can learn a lot from each other.
Speaking of parasites, if a dog has fleas in Maine, you risk losing your dog. No kidding."
Writer Ann Short and her husband John of 34 years own, hunt, show, train and raise Brittanys. In an effort to build bridges and foster good relationship between all groups effected by the animal rights agenda, they are establishing a statewide grassroots network to communicate legislative information. Both are strong supporters of reasonable animal welfare laws while protecing the rights of animal owners.
"Harry Vanderweide's February column "Ramblings"uniquely addressed the issue of 'animal rights' or AR. Harry asked, "Do Intestinal Parasites, Have Animal' Rights?" I appreciate his question. It increases awareness of the invasive nature of a particular parasite, the AR/antis movement that has reached epidemic proportions in Maine.
According to the 2008 Report of the Animal Legal Defense Fund 3,400 animal welfare . statutes were reviewed from 50 states including Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands. The report lists Maine in the top five for best state animal protection laws. In other words, if parasites did have animal rights, Maine would be a safe haven. To be sure, Maine has the perfect environment for the growth of the AR movement.
Take into account that a principal lobbyist for the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) personally works within the Maine Legislature. HSUS claims to be a friend to animals but definitely is not a friend to Maine sportsmen and women. When legislation is introduced to protect the "rights" of animals, frequently the rights of people decrease. No wonder so many animal owners, sportsmen and women in Maine are suspicious of animal welfare bills.
Consider the strong emotions stirred up in hunters and trappers when legislation is introduced with language such as, "will ban trapping, hunting with hounds, or amend hunting laws." The AR/antis' goal to ban all hunting and trapping is known and documented. Consequently, the initial reaction of many Maine sportsmen and woman concerning such laws is one of alarm, even if proposed legislation supports their interests.
Dog owners react just as strongly and are equally suspicious. Animal welfare laws threatening to restrict and regulate the most basic dog ownership is on the rise. There is deep pride in owning a fine, working hunting dog responsibly bred for a specific purpose. "Fido" is also loved and enjoyed as a family pet. Owners who breed dogs occasionally, show dogs, compete with dogs, own multiple dogs, or hunt with their dogs should all be concerned. The parasitic AR epidemic seeks an end to all animal ownership and all breeding. It does not discriminate.
Recently, my husband and I 'attended a public legislative hearing on SP57, an "act to extend the season for training dogs." As owners of hunting dogs, this vague "concept" draft attracted our attention. We learned the focus of this legislation includes the amount of time bear hunters are permitted to train dogs. A majority of bear hunters support it. Perhaps SP57 is not AR legislation but it does demonstrate the importance of monitoring legislation.
Maine animal welfare laws are in a constant state of revision. Amendments and new laws are frequently added to protect against the abuses of animal cruelty and neglect. Why not enforce the existing laws? The abuse is that laws intended to protect the so called rights of animals negatively impact and seriously restrict the constitutional rights of responsible animal owners. There is no clear definition of animal rights.
American Kennel Club statistics for January and February 2009 indicate 200 pieces of AR legislation were introduced nationally. These bills include breed specifc legislation, strict anti-breeding bills, mandatory spay/neuter, limiting the practices of cropping tails, restricting the sale of puppies and increased license fees. In Maine, specific bills monitored by hunting dog owners refer to "dangerous dogs," animal fighting "paraphernalia," vendor/seller licenses, raising fees, limited number of dogs and tethering restrictions.
Sportsmen and women have experience opposing the antis. Dog owners have only just begun. The AR terms "canned hunting" and "puppy mills" powerfully divide the general public into extremes. Sportsmen and women and dog owners need to unite now against the outbreak of the parasitic AR epidemic in Maine. We can learn a lot from each other.
Speaking of parasites, if a dog has fleas in Maine, you risk losing your dog. No kidding."
Writer Ann Short and her husband John of 34 years own, hunt, show, train and raise Brittanys. In an effort to build bridges and foster good relationship between all groups effected by the animal rights agenda, they are establishing a statewide grassroots network to communicate legislative information. Both are strong supporters of reasonable animal welfare laws while protecing the rights of animal owners.
