Assembly Bill 1857 (Paul Koretz) to ban de-clawing of exotic big cats

[Guest guest]

ALERT! LETTERS/CALLS NEEDED NOW TO BAN DE-CLAWING OF BIG CATS

 

August 13, 2004

 

TO: All animal activists

FROM: Eric Mills, ACTION FOR ANIMALS

RE: AB 1857, by Assemblyman Paul Koretz, to ban the de-clawing

of exotic big cats

 

AB 1857 lost by a vote of 17:15 on the Senate floor on Monday, August

9, but is being given re-consideration, either this coming week or the

week of 8/23-27. Twenty-one votes are needed for passage. (The bill

has already passed the Assembly.)

 

Five normally pro-animal Senators abstained from voting. Two others had

excused absences (health problems in the family). CALLS AND LETTERS ARE

NEEDED TO ALL, URGING THEIR 'AYE' VOTE FOR THIS HUMANE LEGISLATION.

They especially need to hear from their constituents. The Senators are:

 

Debra Bowen (D-Redondo Beach), tel. 916/445-5953; fax 323-6056

 

Denise Ducheny (D-Chula Vista), tel. 916/445-6767; fax 327-3522

 

Joe Dunn (D-Garden Grove), tel. 916/445-5831; fax 323-2323 (excused

absence, 8/9)

 

Mike Machado (D-Stockton), tel. 916/445-2407; fax 323-2304

 

Deborah Ortiz (D-Sacramento), tel. 916/445-7807; fax 323-2263

 

Jack Scott (D-Pasadena), tel. 916/445-5976; fax 324-7543

 

Edward Vincent (D-Inglewood), tel. 916/445-2104; fax 445-3712 (excused

absence, 8/9)

 

Remind the Senators that " de-clawing " is a misnomer. In truth, the last

digit of the cat's toes is surgically amputated, often crippling the

animal for life. There is major support for AB 1857 among the animal

groups; most of the meagre opposition has vested financial interests.

(See www.leginfo.ca.gov, for detailed votes, support/opposition, etc.)

 

All these Senators have been good-to-excellent animal votes in the

past. Senator Machado earned a " B " on the last PawPAC voting chart; all

the others earned either A-, A, or A+. Remind them of that fact. Note,

too, that ALL the Republicans voted against this humane legislation.

 

Thank you. And please let me know of any responses you receive, pro or con.

 

For the animals,

Eric Mills