Posted By: Mira Trapper
When Pandora's box opens common sense is gone. - 03/16/09 10:54 PM
Buoyed by Prop 2, CA considers more AR bills (L.A. Times)‏
Sent: March 10, 2009 2:09:55 PM
Los Angeles Times
Cows, jaywalking pets and other critters could win added legal rights
Buoyed by Proposition 2, California legislators introduce new bills
calling for humane treatment of animals.
By Eric Bailey and Patrick McGreevy
March 7, 2009
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-pets7-2009mar07,0,6533918.story
SACRAMENTO, CALIF. — Errant motorists beware: Puppy hit-and-run could
soon be a crime.
Pushing animal rights in a whole new direction, a state lawmaker has
proposed slapping California motorists with a fine and possible jail
time if they flee the scene after hitting a jaywalking dog, cat or any
other pet or farm animal.
The measure by Democrat Mike Eng would require that drivers attempt to
provide medical aid to an injured animal and notify the owner or
animal-control authorities.
It’s one of a herd of bills introduced in the Legislature this year
that could test the boundaries of what constitutes humane treatment of
animals in California.
In the aftermath of a big victory for Proposition 2, the November
ballot measure that made groundbreaking changes in the confinement of
farm animals, state lawmakers from both parties are pushing changes
affecting Fido, felines and even flocks of geese.
One lawmaker wants to crack down on dog fighting. Another proposes a
ban on docking (i.e., clipping or cutting) the tails of dairy cows. A
Republican hopes to make animal adoption fees tax deductible.
Democrats want to curb puppy mills and pet sales at flea markets — and
make it illegal to let a cat older than 6 months run free unless it
has been spayed or neutered.
Not all proposals would protect members of the animal kingdom.
GOP Sen. Dave Cox is more concerned about bird flocks bringing down
commercial airliners. Two months after a US Airways jet ditched in New
York’s Hudson River after an encounter with Canada geese, Cox has
introduced a bill giving airports a green light to kill birds that
pose a hazard.
Animal-rights groups are taking aim at his proposal. Audubon
California wants it to exempt endangered species and explicitly make
the use of lethal force a last resort. And some activists don’t want
killing allowed at all.
“More people die per year from being struck by lightning than by birds
interfering with planes,” said Pamelyn Ferdin, co-president of the
Animal Defense League. “Why don’t we outlaw airplanes that kill geese?
Weren’t the geese here first?”
