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Animal
Protection Voters has two important issues on our
2003 legislative agenda. But we can’t strengthen
our laws to protect animals without your help. Please
get in touch with your state Senator and Representative
TODAY.
Make
a Call or Write a Letter – Urge your
legislators to support a ban on cockfighting and
to support legislation addressing companion animal
hoarding. Ask them how they plan to vote. If they
will not cast a vote for the animals, ask them why
and what might change their mind. To see a draft
of both bills, visit the corresponding bill sub-section:
cockfighting
| companion
animal hoarding
Let
us know your legislators’ positions—call
us at 954-4262, or email Danielle Bays at danielle@apvnm.org.
| Talking
Points on Cockfighting
Cockfighting
perpetuates violence in our communities. There
is an undeniable link between cruelty to animals
and violence toward humans.
Cockfighting
is bad for New Mexico’s image. The blood
sport is banned in every other state aside
from Louisiana. Let’s not be last on
this list too.
Intentional
cruelty to animals and dog fighting are felonies
in New Mexico. Cockfighting is just as cruel
and should be a felony as well.
Illegal
gambling is a cornerstone of cockfighting.
These ill-gotten profits won’t bolster
our economy. |
 |
Images taken from under undercover cockfighting
video by: HSUS.org
Talking
Points on Companion Animal Hoarding
Companion animal hoarding is a big problem
in the state, with suspected hoarders living
in nearly every community.
Although companion animal hoarding is usually
associated with large numbers of animals (50,
100, 150), it is about how the animals are cared
for. The typical situation involves malnourished,
sick animals living in filthy, cramped conditions,
which, in some cases, require the premises to
be condemned.
In the past, our community shelters have spent
large amounts of money and other resources impounding
alleged hoarders’ animals. This takes
away from the services the community depends
on them to provide. We need better solutions,
like those offered in the bill.
Companion animal hoarding is a psychological
problem. And the living conditions are not just
bad for the animals – they are bad for
the people too. Hoarders need help. |
|
Who
are my legislators? How do I get in touch with them?
We
each have one state senator and one state representative.
To find out who they are, check your voter registration
card for the senate and house district numbers.
You can look up their contact information on the
New Mexico State Legislature website, www.legis.state.nm.us,
or by contacting your county clerk’s office.
The number will be listed in the county government
section of your phone book. Your county clerk can
tell you who your senator and representative are
if you can’t find your voter registration
card or if you have not yet registered to vote in
New Mexico.
Before
the Legislature convenes, you can find your legislators
in your home district. After January 21st, they
will be in Santa Fe. Make sure that if you are trying
to contact them once the session begins, you direct
calls and letters to Santa Fe.
What
else can I do to help?
Attend Hearings
– Once you join Animal Protection Voters,
we will keep you informed of hearing dates for the
bills. Please plan to take a day to come to Santa
Fe and show your support. We suspect the cockfighters
will be out in full force and don’t want them
to outnumber us.
Spread the
Word – Talk to others about these
issues. Don’t limit your discussions to your
animal-loving friends—raise awareness with
as many people as you can. And get them to contact
their legislators as well.
Build
a Stronger Coalition – If you belong
to a community organization or professional association,
get that group to endorse these pro-animal bills.
Local businesses are also good allies. Contact us
for endorsement forms.
Write
to the Newspapers
–
Whenever you see an article related to cockfighting
or companion animal hoarding, send a letter to the
editor voicing your support for these bills. If
you notice an absence of articles, get out your
pen and send in a letter. Let us know if you need
help with what to say.
Join
Animal Protection Voters
– Your
membership contribution and other support is crucial
to our ability to pass strong animal protection
laws. Please join APV today.
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