APV's 2009 Agenda — Updated
Animal Protection Voters' agenda for the 2009 New Mexico legislative session is ambitious, but we are as committed as ever to work on the issues that demand resolution on behalf of the animals. These proposed policy changes would fix problems with existing cruelty laws–problems that have become evident through the more than 2,000 animal cruelty cases Animal Protection of New Mexico responded to in 2008.
The following represents a summary of APV's agenda for the session, slightly updated from earlier versions.
Broaden Fourth Degree Felony Definition
in State Animal Cruelty Law:
- Add language to the statute to make it a criminal offense to leave an animal unattended and confined in a motor vehicle when physical injury or death to the animal is likely to result.
- Add language that makes the intentional abandonment or neglect of an animal a criminal offense.
- Ensure that the denial of sustenance, defined as food, water and shelter, when it leads to great bodily harm or death, is considered extreme cruelty to animals, punishable as a fourth degree felony.
- Close loophole that allows research laboratories to escape prosecution under the current state anti-cruelty law.
- Include "criminal negligence" as a fourth degree felony; defined as a person involved in certain acts who knows, or should have known, of the danger possible to an animal, and nevertheless acted with a reckless disregard for the safety or health of an animal.
- Ensure reptiles are included in the scope of the state animal cruelty law.
Create State Indemnity Law to Facilitate
the Seizure
of Cruelly-Treated Animals:
Pass a law that requires those charged with animal cruelty to pay for the care of their animals if they are seized into protective custody. This will provide a system that allows law enforcement officials to always seize animals who are being starved or mistreated. Seized animals sometimes occupy kennel or shelter space for months, or even years, at a time. Given recent increases in reporting and investigation of cruelty, agencies often cannot afford to pay for seized animals' care, making it financially impossible for them to remove animals from bad situations.
Protections for Horses:
Create a New Mexico Equine Protection Fund that will provide financial support to sanctuaries for abandoned or relinquished horses, and that will subsidize humane horse euthanasia and disposal.
Capital Outlay Funding for Animal Protection Projects:
APV will work hard to secure capital funding for priority spay/neuter and facility projects, despite being fully aware of current state budget woes.
Additional Important Legislation in 2009 —
Attorney General's Legislation, Supported by APV,
Will Protect Animals of Domestic Violence Victims
New Mexico Attorney General Gary King will introduce amendments to the Family Violence Act that includes amendments to the temporary Domestic Protection Order, which will help victims of domestic violence who leave, or are escorted from, their homes to seek safe shelter, by mandating that law enforcement or animal control officers remove companion animals from the home at the same time for their protection. The animals will be moved to a safe shelter and cared for until the victim is able to reclaim the animals, or determine where they should be placed. In many instances, victims of domestic violence linger in abusive situations because they are fearful of what will happen to their animals if they are left in the care of their abusers. Abusers often use animals to control, threaten and frighten the primary victim of domestic violence. Animal Protection Voters believes this legislation is necessary, and will advocate strongly in favor of it.
Animal Protection Voters will work to ensure that current laws that protect domestic animals and wildlife are not rolled back.
Please support the serious work of Animal Protection Voters with a donation today.
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Save the Date for APV's Lobby Day!
Wednesday, February 18
10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
State Capitol
Santa Fe
APV Press Conference at 2 p.m.
Capitol Rotunda
Positive change takes a great deal of persistence and the commitment of people who care. Animal Protection Voters would like you to be part of the solution to the needs of New Mexico's animals by taking part in APV's Lobby Day at the state capitol in Santa Fe on Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2009.
Lobby Day Press Conference — APV will hold a press conference at the capitol rotunda at 2 p.m. on Feb. 18 to provide the latest updates with regard to our legislative work. We will be surrounded by a coalition of supporters for animal issues. It is important for you to show your solidarity for animal protections. Please join us for this press conference.
Lobby Day Training — In preparation for APV's Lobby Day, on Feb. 17 and Feb. 18 APV will host two one-hour training sessions on how to lobby your legislators. The sessions will cover the same material. APV needs informed citizens to contact their legislators to ask them to support legislation that protects animals.
Save These Dates!
Lobby 101, Training #1
Tues., February 17
6 p.m.
Whole Foods Market—Community Room
5815 Wyoming Blvd. NE (at Academy)
Albuquerque
Lobby 101, Training #2
Wed., February 18
11 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Mission Café
239 E. De Vargas St.
Santa Fe
Please plan to arrive in Santa Fe with ample time to find parking and to get to the Mission Café for lobby training, and to the capitol for the press conference.
Before and during the session, it is important for you to contact your own legislators and ask them to vote in favor of legislation to protect New Mexico's animals.
Contact Laura to let us know if you plan to join us for Lobby Day on Feb. 18: laura@apvnm.org.
Thank you!
Support the work of Animal Protection Voters.
Please donate.
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Animal Sheltering Services Board
Check web site for meeting announcements
and agendas:
http://www.rld.state.nm.us/AnimalSheltering/index.html
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