We all need to contact our state senator and assemblyman to ban the "canned hunts" in New York State. A canned hunt is when tame animals are herded into a pen and a so-called sportsman shoots them on the spot. That is not hunting. That is not giving the wild animal a chance and using your wits and skills. It is no better than cheating on a test. No one is trying to ban hunting in the wild here, but this kind of thing is just cruel and frankly, being a "girly man."

According to the Humane Society of the United States, "This legislation does not impact traditional hunting practices, slaughter, or native deer farms. This legislation would close the loophole in the current law. The size of the enclosure does not matter. Whether 10 acres or 1,000 acres, the mammal selected by the customer has no chance for escape. I hope you will pass this important bill and help put an end to this 'drive-thru' killing."

You can use the quote when writing your letter or when you make a brief, polite phone call to Senator John Bonacic at (518) 455-3181 and Assemblymember Kevin Cahill at (518) 455-4436 to urge support for S.B. 3223/A.B. 6788. The email addresses are: bonacic@senate.state.ny.us and CahillK@assembly.state.ny.us.

Thank you so much. It only takes a few minutes, but it will go a long way in making our state more humane.

* * * Now I am happy to send out big hugs and a 'thank you' to our Congressman Maurice Hinchey. He received a 100+ score from the Humane Scorecard put out by the HSUS Legislative Fund. This group follows legislation and how all the states' representatives vote on animal issues. We are a very powerful group now, and how those who care for animals vote can really make or break a politician. The issues that have passed into law are…

…the end of horse slaughter for human consumption. I wish it could go further and end it for any consumption, but these changes take awhile.

…the Downed Animal bill, which is to require humane euthanasia of any farm animal who is injured or sick at a slaughterhouse. I don't want to write down how they have been treated. Too bad laws are necessary to force people to behave right.

…a fur labeling-that bill requires that the consumer be told exactly what kind of fur it is. It would ban raccoon dogs and cat fur in this country. The loophole is that any fur under $150.00 does not have to be labeled, which is still quite bad.

…the prohibition of animal fighting. This makes it a felony to be involved in dog or cock fighting, or any other animal fighting.

…the prohibition of the commercial sale or slaughter of wild horses or burros.

…bans on the importation of sport-hunted polar bears from Canada. If polar bears are in danger from global warming, why on earth would they be allowed to be hunted?

There are several more bills to protect animals that passed in the last Congress and it is something all Americans should be proud of. I was disturbed as I went down the list of states to see that the Democrat members of congress were much more supportive of animal issues than the Republican representatives countrywide. I am not saying that about individuals who belong to the two parties; only the reps. I am also not referring to folks who love their dogs and cats, but compassion should cover all the issues. New York republicans were pretty good except for King and Fossella. One of my former favorite people was Ron Paul, but his record is zero in protecting animals, so he is off my good list. I think he feels that there are too many laws, but laws to protect children, the elderly, and animals are usually good.

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