NYS Senate Bill: If amended, this legislation would hurt the animals it was intended to protect. Here's why.
Special interest groups that profit from devocalization (spun as "bark softening") have stepped up their efforts to create a sham law by amending NYS Senate bill S2271.
If they succeed, the legislation--intended to prohibit the cutting of vocal cords to alter a dog's or cat's voice--instead would sanction it. Or the law would apply so narrowly, it would leave the overwhelming majority of dogs and cats unprotected from this act of cruelty.
Some of the loopholes that Coalition to Protect and Rescue Pets defeated to pass solid devocalization bans in other states are now being considered in NYS—joined by dangerous new amendments.
Because loopholes that allow and legitimize voice-altering surgery are ever-evolving and insidious, we must hold firm to this position: The ONLY way S2271 should pass is with NO amendments. If amended, we must kill the bill!
AN AMENDED LAW IS NOT A STEPPING STONE, IT'S A DEAD END
A law that allows vocal cord surgery on ANY dog or cat EXCEPT to treat a PHYSICAL ailment causing the animal medical harm is NOT a stepping stone. It is a dead end that will hurt animals.
Once on the books, laws are nearly impossible to change. Especially laws that powerful special interest groups oppose--as they do a real devocalization ("bark softening") ban--and which pass only with amendments they have advanced.
Make no mistake: Those provisions protect their convenience and profits, not animals, who will continue to be brutalized for communicating.
ABOUT THE SPONSORS OF THE PROPOSED DEVOCALIZATION BAN
The following advocacy groups led the campaign that moved A1204, the companion bill to S2271, through the NYS Assembly; it passed on March 4, 2013 and again on January 23, 2014 as written.
No other option is acceptable to people who care about humane treatment of animals.
If they succeed, the legislation--intended to prohibit the cutting of vocal cords to alter a dog's or cat's voice--instead would sanction it. Or the law would apply so narrowly, it would leave the overwhelming majority of dogs and cats unprotected from this act of cruelty.
Some of the loopholes that Coalition to Protect and Rescue Pets defeated to pass solid devocalization bans in other states are now being considered in NYS—joined by dangerous new amendments.
Because loopholes that allow and legitimize voice-altering surgery are ever-evolving and insidious, we must hold firm to this position: The ONLY way S2271 should pass is with NO amendments. If amended, we must kill the bill!
AN AMENDED LAW IS NOT A STEPPING STONE, IT'S A DEAD END
A law that allows vocal cord surgery on ANY dog or cat EXCEPT to treat a PHYSICAL ailment causing the animal medical harm is NOT a stepping stone. It is a dead end that will hurt animals.
Once on the books, laws are nearly impossible to change. Especially laws that powerful special interest groups oppose--as they do a real devocalization ("bark softening") ban--and which pass only with amendments they have advanced.
Make no mistake: Those provisions protect their convenience and profits, not animals, who will continue to be brutalized for communicating.
ABOUT THE SPONSORS OF THE PROPOSED DEVOCALIZATION BAN
The following advocacy groups led the campaign that moved A1204, the companion bill to S2271, through the NYS Assembly; it passed on March 4, 2013 and again on January 23, 2014 as written.
No other option is acceptable to people who care about humane treatment of animals.
Coalition to Protect and Rescue Pets (CPR Pets) is the all-volunteer organization that has led the campaign to end devocalization of dogs and cats since 2008 and the NYS effort since 2010. Working without funding or paid lobbyists--just citizen-advocates--CPR Pets passed Massachusetts’ landmark Logan's Law, the only state law in the US that protects all dogs and cats from being subjected to voice-altering surgery. CPR Pets does not accept financial donations, directing donors instead to the shelters and rescue groups in their own communities.
Animal Advocates of Western New York is a nonprofit, all-volunteer organization dedicated to the elimination of animal exploitation and abuse. Founded in 1985, it has assisted towns and villages with humane control of wildlife; worked with the Urban League to educate teens about humane treatment of animals; and runs a telephone helpline to advise callers on lost pets and animal-related issues.
The New York State Humane Association is a 501(c)(3) organization whose guiding philosophy is to reduce animal suffering and to encourage compassion to all creatures. It has assisted law
enforcement in fighting animal cruelty; responded to phone inquiries about animal concerns from individuals and shelters; and conducted seminars and workshops on topics of interest to shelters, animal control officers and the humane community.
Copyright 2013 Coalition to Protect and Rescue Pets. All Rights Reserved.
enforcement in fighting animal cruelty; responded to phone inquiries about animal concerns from individuals and shelters; and conducted seminars and workshops on topics of interest to shelters, animal control officers and the humane community.
Copyright 2013 Coalition to Protect and Rescue Pets. All Rights Reserved.
