North Carolina Voters for Animal Welfare

Original - April 4, 2007

Updated - August 3, 2007 - see updates to several bills below

From North Carolina Voters for Animal Welfare:

Have you ever called in a complaint about an animal that you feel is being neglected/abused only to hear there is nothing animal control can do to help the animal because there is no law being broken? I am sure all of us have heard that before and we have no one to blame but ourselves if we do not speak up for the animals by asking our legislators to support animal bills when they are introduced. Legislators are only in session at certain times so the window is small each year to pass new laws. Please don�t miss this opportunity to help the animals. If you don�t have the little time it takes to help after you read this, save it and do it tonight or tomorrow but do it soon. Putting it off until later is no help because time is of the essence. And please, by all means, don�t think your opinion does not matter because it does and it has a large impact on the way legislators vote. Whenever we talk to them, they always comment on the amount of emails/calls/faxes they receive either supporting a bill or not supporting it. They do listen - make no mistake about that � we just need to be louder than the other guys to win!

I am including all of the current NC animal bills needing your attention in one email to make it easier for everyone. Please keep scrolling down so you don�t miss one as they are all important. More details for each of these bills can be found on our website under Current Bills or by following the links below. Please feel free to pass this on to any animal loving friends or family you may have that live in NC. Thank you from the animals!

CURRENT 2007 BILLS:

1) SB 1172 � AN ACT TO AMEND THE CRIMINAL LAW CONCERNING RESTRAINING OF DOGS. This is a statewide bill to limit the amount of time an animal can be tethered within a 24-hour period. It has been referred to the Senate Judiciary I Committee. Please write to the members today and ask them to SUPPORT this bill.

Email addresses - copy and paste into one new email and please put SUPPORT SB 1172 (Restraining of Dogs) in the subject line:

martinn@ncleg.net, Danielc@ncleg.net, philbe@ncleg.net, Rcsoles@ncleg.net, Charliea@ncleg.net, Juliab@ncleg.net, Andrewb@ncleg.net, Harryb@ncleg.net, Peterb@ncleg.net, Janetc@ncleg.net, Malcolmg@ncleg.net, Davidh@ncleg.net, Clarkj@ncleg.net, Elliek@ncleg.net, Vernonm@ncleg.net, Tonyr@ncleg.net, Richards@ncleg.net, Jerryt@ncleg.net

2) HB 995 - AN ACT TO INCREASE THE PENALTY FOR THE INTENTIONAL STARVING OF AN ANIMAL � This bill has been referred to the House Judiciary III Committee. Please write to the members today and ask them to SUPPORT this bill.

** UPDATE - This bill passed in the House and in the Senate. It was signed by the Governor into law July 11th!! **

Email addresses for the Senate committee - copy and paste into one new email and please put SUPPORT HB 995 (Intentional Starving of an Animal) in the subject line:

Fletcherh@ncleg.net, Austina@ncleg.net, Dougb@ncleg.net, Edwardj@ncleg.net, Toma@ncleg.net, Boba@ncleg.net, stanb@ncleg.net, Walterd@ncleg.net, Charlied@ncleg.net, Katied@ncleg.net, Eddieg@ncleg.net, Jimja@ncleg.net, Johnk@ncleg.net, Joeq@ncleg.net, Johnsn@ncleg.net, abs@ncleg.net

3) SB 92 - AN ACT TO REQUIRE OWNERS OF DANGEROUS AND POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS DOGS TO ACQUIRE LIABILITY INSURANCE. ** This is not Breed Specific Legislation (BSL) and pertains to any breed of dog. NCVAW does not support BSL. This bill has been referred to the Senate Judiciary II Committee. Please write to the members today and ask them to SUPPORT this bill.

** UPDATE � This bill passed in the Senate and has now been referred to the House Judiciary III committee. **

Email addresses for the House committee members - copy and paste into one new email and please put SUPPORT SB 92 (Dangerous Dog Insurance) in the subject line:

Rons@ncleg.net, Leod@ncleg.net, Billf@ncleg.net, Edithw@ncleg.net, Davida@ncleg.net, Triciac@ncleg.net, Susanf@ncleg.net, Philliph@ncleg.net, Maggiej@ncleg.net, Davidl@ncleg.net, Mickeym@ncleg.net, Thomt@ncleg.net, Aliceu@ncleg.net, Trudiw@ncleg.net, Lauraw@ncleg.net

4) SB 684 - AN ACT TO PROVIDE FOR FUNDING FOR THE STATEWIDE SPAY AND NEUTER PROGRAM FROM THE SALE OF RABIES VACCINATION TAGS. This will increase the funding currently being collected by adding funds from the sale of every rabies tag and not just the I Care rabies tag. In addition, the funding from the I Care license plates ($10/plate) will continue as in the past. This bill has been referred to the Committee on Finances. Please write to the members today and ask them to SUPPORT this bill.

** UPDATE - This bill passed in the Senate and in the House. It will went to the Governor to be signed into law on August 3rd. **

Email addresses - copy and paste into one new email and please put SUPPORT SB 684 (Spay/Neuter Funding) in the subject line:

Danielc@ncleg.net, Davidh@ncleg.net, Johnk@ncleg.net, Fletcherh@ncleg.net, Larrys@ncleg.net, Charliea@ncleg.net, Austina@ncleg.net, Toma@ncleg.net, Boba@ncleg.net, philbe@ncleg.net, Harrisb@ncleg.net, Juliab@ncleg.net, Andrewb@ncleg.net, Harryb@ncleg.net, Peterb@ncleg.net, Janetc@ncleg.net, Walterd@ncleg.net, Charlied@ncleg.net, Lindag@ncleg.net, Eddieg@ncleg.net, Steveg@ncleg.net, Kayh@ncleg.net, Nealh@ncleg.net, Clarkj@ncleg.net, Elliek@ncleg.net, martinn@ncleg.net, Robertp@ncleg.net, Jeanp@ncleg.net, Williamp@ncleg.net, Joeq@ncleg.net, Tonyr@ncleg.net, Freds@ncleg.net, Rcsoles@ncleg.net, Richards@ncleg.net, abs@ncleg.net, Jerryt@ncleg.net, Davidw@ncleg.net

5A) SB 1477 - AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE PROTECTION OF THE PUBLIC AGAINST THE HEALTH AND SAFETY RISKS THAT INHERENTLY DANGEROUS ANIMALS POSE AND TO PROTECT THE WELFARE OF INHERENTLY DANGEROUS ANIMALS. This bill has been referred to the Senate Judiciary II Committee. Please write to the members today and ask them to SUPPORT this bill.

Email addresses - copy and paste into one new email and please put SUPPORT SB 1477 (Inherently Dangerous Animals) in the subject line:

5B) HB 1614 (House companion bill to SB 1477) - Ref to the Com on Environment and Natural Resources and, if favorable, to the Com on Judiciary I on 04/19/2007. Please write to the members today and ask them to SUPPORT this bill.

Email addresses - copy and paste into one new email and please put SUPPORT HB 1614 (Inherently Dangerous Animals) in the subject line:

Lucya@ncleg.net, Mitchg@ncleg.net, Jimha@ncleg.net, Priceyh@ncleg.net, Carolynju@ncleg.net, Culliet@ncleg.net,Aliceu@ncleg.net, Curtisb@ncleg.net, Williambr@ncleg.net, Nelsond@ncleg.net, Pryorg@ncleg.net, Philliph@ncleg.net, Verlai@ncleg.net, Rick@ncleg.net, Joek@ncleg.net, Paull@ncleg.net, Grierm@ncleg.net, Dannym@ncleg.net, Patm@ncleg.net, Billo@ncleg.net, Ruths@ncleg.net, Bonners@ncleg.net, Russellt@ncleg.net, Jenniferw@ncleg.net, Rogerw@ncleg.net, Larryw@ncleg.net

6) SB 1330 - AN ACT to require owners and operators of specialty markets where dogs or cats are sold or given away to obtain a certificate of registration from, and pay a registration fee to, the department of revenue; to require the department of revenue to provide notification of the registration to the sheriff or chief of police of the jurisdiction where the specialty market is located; and to require these specialty markets to meet the standards applicable to pet shops. This bill has been referred to the Senate Committee on Agriculture/ Environment/Natural Resources. Please write to the members today and ask them to SUPPORT this bill.

** UPDATE � This bill passed through the first Senate committee and has now been referred to the Senate Finance committee. **

Email addresses - copy and paste into one new email and please put SUPPORT SB 1330 (Sale of Dogs and Cats at Specialty Markets) in the subject line:

Danielc@ncleg.net; Davidh@ncleg.net; Johnk@ncleg.net; Fletcherh@ncleg.net; Larrys@ncleg.net; Charliea@ncleg.net; Austina@ncleg.net; Toma@ncleg.net; Boba@ncleg.net; philbe@ncleg.net; Harrisb@ncleg.net; Juliab@ncleg.net; Andrewb@ncleg.net; Harryb@ncleg.net; Peterb@ncleg.net; Janetc@ncleg.net; Walterd@ncleg.net; Charlied@ncleg.net; Lindag@ncleg.net; Eddieg@ncleg.net; Steveg@ncleg.net; Kayh@ncleg.net; Nealh@ncleg.net; Clarkj@ncleg.net; Elliek@ncleg.net; martinn@ncleg.net; Robertp@ncleg.net; Jeanp@ncleg.net; Williamp@ncleg.net; Joeq@ncleg.net; Tonyr@ncleg.net; Freds@ncleg.net; Rcsoles@ncleg.net; Richards@ncleg.net; abs@ncleg.net; Jerryt@ncleg.net; Davidw@ncleg.net

7) HB 1386 - AN ACT TO STRENGTHEN THE LAW PROHIBITING COCKFIGHTING AND RELATED ACTIVITIES. This bill has been referred to the House Judiciary III Committee. Please write to the members today and ask them to SUPPORT this bill.

Email addresses - copy and paste into a new email and please put SUPPORT HB 1386 (Strengthens Cockfighting Law) in the subject line -

8) HB 1359 - AN ACT TO PROVIDE VETS IMMUNITY WHEN REPORTING ANIMAL CRUELTY

** UPDATE - This bill passed in the House and in the Senate. It was sent to the Governor and signed into law July 18th!! **

Email addresses - copy and paste into one new email and please put SUPPORT HB 1359 (Veterinarians Immunity When Reporting Cruelty) in the subject line:

**Thank you from NCVAW and the animals. We could not do this without the help of each and everyone one of you out there who love animals!! These laws pass because you take the time to contact the committee members to see that these bills make it out of committee and onto the voting floor. It is always a good idea to contact your district�s legislator(s) and let them know that you want their support when the bill does go up for a vote. You are responsible for electing them into office and they need to know what you expect from them. If you have any questions about these bills or the process they follow to become a law please contact us!