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Political Action
(posted August 28, 2007)
We are fortunate to live in a state that recognizes the need to legislatively protect the welfare of animals. VVSA has been instrumental in the passage of several bills:
1) Update and improvements to the animal
welfare statute, includes making some forms of abuse a felony.
2) Creation of Vermont Spay Neuter Incentive
program (VSNIP). VVSA spearheaded the
legislative initiative, and now administers this widely successful program.
3) The rabies vaccine injection schedule extended from 2 to 3 years.
4) Prohibition of online Internet Hunting from
entering our state.
5) Inclusion of animals in a Relief from Abuse Court order, which protects animals involved in volatile domestic relationships.
6) Inclusion of animals during evacuations
following natural disasters.
7) Inclusion of animals in the municipal ticketing system which enables law enforcement to
address certain violations of our animal welfare statute. (Title 13, Chapter 8) civilly versus
criminally. This approach may be the answer to the overcrowded court system that too often ignores the plight of abused animals for lack of time and
manpower.
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Student Choice Bill
(posted August 28, 2007)
VVSA requested a bill that would provide students be given the opportunity to receive an alternative to dissecting an animal, without fear of ridicule or pressure. Cats, piglets, and many other animals are bred and born only to be killed for the purpose of biology classes. Desensitizing students to the plight of animals, and reinforcing that it is better to be silent in the face of opposition for what one knows to be right, teaches that it is better to remain quiet than to stand firm in one's beliefs ... and to go "with the crowd" for fear of ridicule or recognition. This bill would also provide a less expensive alternative to the use of (once) live animals in science class, and one that has been proven to be more effective in the classroom, through the use of models and computer generated programs. Our thanks to Senators Vince Illuzzi, John Campbell and Dick McCormack for sponsoring this bill, and to all the other legislators that have already lent their voice to support this bill!
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Ear Cropping
(posted August 28, 2007)
A BILL CURRENTLY IN THE VT SENATE WOULD ASSURE THAT ONLY LICENSED VETERINARIANS WOULD BE ABLE TO PERFORM THIS SURGERY FOR MEDICAL REASONS. TESTIMONY WAS TAKEN REGARDING THE PAIN AND INFECTIONS CAUSED BY EAR CROPPING AND THAT IN MOST CASES IT IS ONLY DONE FOR COSMETIC REASONS. THE VAST MAJORITY OF VT VETS DO NOT DO EAR CROPPING. WE APPAULD SENATOR ANN CUMMINGS AND WE SUPPORT BILL S250.
Ear cropping was a bill presented in the VT Senate in the last session that was requested by a senior veterinarian who presented a convincing argument that the cropping of dogs ears was inhumane. With overwhelming support of the VVMA, this bill is expected to be introduced into the House this session, it is hoped it will pass the Senate with little opposition.
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Internet Hunting web sites banned in Vermont 1/07 Update
(posted August 28, 2007)
VVSA volunteers campaigned for many hours to help pass the bill that bans internet hunting web sites in Vermont.
Internet hunting websites allow the use of computer generated tracking and shooting of live animals in confined hunting areas in states across the country that have "canned hunts". Bizarre as that sounds, unless legislation is passed to prevent such "entertainment" it would be allowed. Our heartfelt thanks to Senator Vince Illuzzi from Newport for recognizing this as a demented entertainment. VVSA approached Senator Illuzzi about sponsoring similar legislation. VVSA obtained the Maine law and brought that version to our VT legislature for drafting. The legislature heard overwhelming support from Vermonters in committee to ban Internet Hunting before it got a foot hold in our state and a bill was passed prohibiting this operation from ever entering our state.
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Rabies Vaccine Extended to 3 Years
(posted August 28, 2007)
VVSA volunteers worked hard to pass a law that extends the rabies vaccination to 3 years for adult animals who have previouslyl receiving their first shot.
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Animal Cruelty Bill - Title 13
(posted August 28, 2007)
Thanks to volunteers all over Vermont, this bill was finally signed by the governor and will expand felony charges for cruelty to animals, define maximum living space requirements, better define adequate food, water, exercise, and shelter for animals.
Title 13 ~ VVSA worked with the VT legislature for three and 1/ 2 years to remedy the animal protection statutes. Thanks to Senators John Campbell and Vince Illuzzi, especially, this bill passed and better defined what is "adequate" care of animals. VVSA seeks to add a component that would allow a ticketing system to address acts of neglect and abuse. Senator John Campbell is our sponsor. Law enforcement agents and state attorneys have agreed that this approach may be the answer to the overcrowded court system that too often ignores the plight of abused animals for lack of time and manpower.
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