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On Feb. 19, the Humane Society of the United States held State Humane Lobby Day in capitols across the country.
In Raleigh, Humane Society members from all over North Carolina spoke with their legislators regarding upcoming bills that, if passed, will bring positive changes for our animals. Rowan County advocates spoke with Rep. Lorene Coates, Rep. Fred Steen and Sen. Andrew Brock regarding four bills to be voted on during the 2009-2010 session and were delighted by their interest.
The first bill discussed was introduced by the American Human Association and Animal Law Coalition in January. It is supported by the Human Society of North Carolina:
- Humane Euthanasia — House Bill 6 (Davie's Law). This law would require the removal of all gas chambers from N.C. shelters. It would mandate euthanasia by lethal injection of sodium pentobarbital or an equivalent, or oral ingestion of the drug for all shelter animals. The law would also ban injection through the heart, a painful procedure known as heartstick.
The following bills will soon be introduced by the Humane Society of North Carolina:- Puppy mills with 20 or more breeder dogs must be licensed and inspected (no bill number yet).
- Stop inhumane dog chaining (no bill number yet).
- Stop the cruel trapping and penning of N.C. wildlife for purposes of gaming and hunting dog training (no bill number yet).
For more information about these and other bills, please visit www.hsus.org and click on "legislation," then "state," then "NC." You can also email aarington@hsus.org or call 202-452-1100.
Please become an an active advocate for animals this legislative session. The kindness that is shown to animals may spread to other facets of our culture.