dalton
Joined: 06 Jun 2007
Posts: 101
|
 Posted: Fri Aug 10, 2007 7:29 pm |
  |
|
TENNESSEE STEPS UP FOR ANIMALS IN 2007
Media: News Alert: 011906: Dog on Flag2007 has been a terrific year for humane legislation in Tennessee. The following bills have been signed into law by Governor Phil Bredesen, and went into effect July 1:
- SB 196/HB 1161 recognizes the link between animal cruelty and domestic violence by expanding the definition of domestic abuse to include harm or threats made to pets, and allows for the inclusion of pets in court orders of protection.
- SB 487/HB 953 makes sexual abuse of an animal a crime and assesses felony level penalties for such violations.
- SB 537/HB 548 increases the penalty for being a spectator at an animal fight from a Class C to a Class A misdemeanor.
- SB 637/HB 422 prohibits the tethering or chaining of a dog in a manner that is inhumane or prevents access to food, water or shelter.
- HJR 99 is a joint resolution that details the many benefits of spaying and neutering, and encourages all Tennesseans to be responsible pet owners by spaying and neutering their companion animals.
“I could not be prouder of my home state of Tennessee,” says Sherry Rout, ASPCA Southeast Legislative Liaison. “Once I sat down with legislators and informed them that nearly 40 percent of abused women delay leaving their abusers because they fear for the safety of the pets they must leave behind—and that incidents of pet abuse were reported by 85.4 percent of women and 63 percent of children entering shelters—it was not a hard sell to get the votes we needed in support of pet protective orders. Tennessee is spearheading this type of legislation in the South, setting a precedent and issuing a challenge for other Southern states to follow in 2008.”
Even though the legislature has adjourned for 2007, Tennessee is one of several states that enjoy a two-year legislative session—so although the first half of this cycle has ended, the upcoming 2008 session is already shaping up to be another great year for animals in Tennessee. Be sure to watch for Legislative Action Alerts in 2008 on pending bills including the Tennessee Equine Protection Act, felony-level penalties for animal fighting and the creation of a state fund for low-cost spay/neuter and vaccinations. Join the ASPCA Advocacy Brigade to become an animal advocate in 2008—because, after all, we are their voice. |
|
