from the Animal Defense League of Arizona press release

Ranch Dog Cruelty Exemption Bill Passes Legislature; Signed by Governor

Thanks to everyone for contacting legislators on HB 2780.  We wish we had better news to report. The bill to exempt ranch dogs from cruelty laws passed the Arizona House and was signed into law by Governor Brewer. To see how representatives voted on HB 2780 click here.  (Blogger’s note: It’s interesting that Matt Heinz voted no as he was part of a gang of original sponsors.)

This overly broad, poorly written bill passed the legislature and was quickly signed by the governor despite significant opposition from animal protection groups, rural animal shelter directors, county officials, media, and a tremendous number of constituent calls from advocates like you.

The amendment to HB 2780 was an improvement to the original language.  However, the version that was passed still creates broad exemptions under the Agricultural code, preempts local control and could create broad exemptions for animal cruelty under local ordinances.

It is unconscionable that lawmakers and the governor have created an unnecessary law,  which was prompted by a cruelty case where a rancher abandoned his dogs in a horse trailer for days last summer with no food and only green, slimy water to drink.

Information on this case and the bill is posted on ADLA’s legislative webpage.

WHAT YOU CAN DO

If your House members opposed HB 2780, please thank them.  If you live in Rep. Ugenti’s district please thank her for her stance as the only Republican to oppose the bill in the House.

To contact your representatives click here.

AZ: Say no to animal cruelty laws

Update: Read the Arizona Republic’s opinion on HB 2780 “Animal Cruelty is Cruelty”

(From an alert by ADLA – Animal Defense League Arizona)

“The bill that would exempt ranch dogs from animal cruelty laws is nearing a final vote in the Arizona Legislature. Please contact your state senator today and ask him/her to oppose HB 2780!

HB 2780 is redundant, overly broad, and could cause significant problems for animal cruelty enforcement. There’s an amendment being added that improves the bill but does not address the problem that the measure could create broad exemptions under local ordinances. For example anyone could beat a dog to death, claiming it was chasing livestock, and may be exempted from local cruelty ordinances under the state agriculture statute.

HB 2780 is a potentially reckless solution to a non-existent problem, using a case that had nothing to do with tethering dogs, but in fact involved serious animal abuse.

The case that prompted this bill has been misrepresented to legislators by bill proponents claiming that they wanted to be able to tether ranching dogs to keep them safe.  However, the actual case involved a Pima County man who  abandoned several dogs for days last summer with no food and only green, slimy water to drink.  You can read the case file here. (PDF)

WHAT YOU CAN DO

Contact your state senator today and ask him or her to Vote NO on HB 2780, animal cruelty, ranching dogs, which even as amended is unnecessary and overly broad.  Be sure to mention that you are a resident in your senator’s district.

To contact your senator click here or call 1-800-352-8404 and ask for your senator’s office. If you’re not sure what district you are in visit the Vote Smart website.

Please share this information with your contacts and post on your social network pages.”

FYI: Here are the bill sponsors: Peggy Judd from Cochise County, David Gowan from Sierra Vista, David Stevens & Gail Griffin from District 25, Matt Heinz from Pima County/Tucson