Superstars for Voluntary Low-cost Statewide Spay/Neuter Program!
The Voluntary Low-cost Statewide Spay/Neuter Program has passed the Maryland General Assembly! If you made a phone call, sent an email or came to Humane Lobby Day then know that you played an important part in passage of this landmark legislation! You joined together with other animal advocates to make this happen. Thank you, each and every one!
Now it's time to CELEBRATE! Maryland Votes For Animals (MVFA) worked with your legislators over the past 3 years to make sure Maryland passed a spay/neuter bill that will save the lives of thousands of homeless cats and dogs. Our legislative champions work very hard on behalf of animals and we are delighted to invite you to a CELEBRATION to say a heartfelt THANK YOU to those who made it happen. Click HERE to CELEBRATE!
Unprecedented Success for Animals in 2013
Maryland Votes For Animals Announces Unprecedented Success for Animal Protection Legislation in 2013 Session of Maryland General Assembly
Annapolis, MD - Maryland Votes for Animals (MVFA) applauds the Maryland General Assembly for passing two critical pieces of humane legislation: 1) establishment of a State Spay/Neuter Program and 2) closure of a loophole in dog-fighting law with a "bait" dog bill .
Last Chance to Save Pit Bull Bill – ACT NOW!
House and Senate Conference Committee Meeting Regularly NOW – Need to Hear from Maryland Residents NOW!
As expected, two different bills that would nullify a court ruling declaring pit bulls "inherently dangerous" are heading to a House-Senate conference committee. Six legislators have been selected as members of the committee. They are meeting TODAY so please ACT NOW by making a POLITE phone call to them. Below is a script and phone numbers for the conference committee members.
"My name is _________ and I'm calling because I'm concerned that we are running out of time on the pit bull legislation (HB 78/SB 160). Can you please expedite a compromise between the Senate and House versions of the bills? I'm concerned that people will be forced to choose between their dog and their home if this isn't resolved. Thank you.
Senator Jamie Raskin – (410) 841-3634
Senator Bobby Zirkin - (410) 841-3131
Senator Christopher Shank - (410) 841-3903
Delegate Kathleen Dumais - (410) 841-3052
Delegate Luke Clippinger - (410) 841-3303
Delegate John Cluster - (410) 841-3526
Remember, if your calls are less than polite it can actually hurt, not help. Neither bill will become law if legislators don't agree on a compromise by April 8. So, if you are a Maryland resident, make POLITE phone calls ASAP TODAY, preferably this morning. (Calls from non-Maryland residents are considered an annoyance so please call ONLY if you live in Maryland.) You can even call and leave a message before their offices open this morning!
Pit Bull Bill goes to Conference Committee
By ALEX JACKSON ajackson@capgaznews.com CapitalGazette.com
As expected, a measure to nullify a court ruling that designated pit bulls as "inherently dangerous" is headed to a House-Senate conference committee.
The House voted unanimously Monday to pass a bill on dog-bite lawsuits different from the one the Senate approved earlier this month.
Under the House approach, owners of all breeds of dogs would need to prove by a preponderance of evidence that they had no prior knowledge their dog was prone to biting.
House, Senate still at Impasse on Pit Bull Bill
By Michael Dresser, The Baltimore Sun5:11 p.m. EDT, March 27, 2013
Maryland's pit bulls remained in peril Wednesday as two legislators clashed over a lingering House-Senate impasse on a bill that would invalidate a court decision labeling the bill as inherently dangerous.
Bill in Danger - House and Senate Close to Impasse on Pit bull Legislation!
Please contact your legislators to request a COMPROMISE bill that addresses the Court of Appeals ruling declaring pit bulls "inherently dangerous." Please ACT NOW! Very different bills (HB 78/SB 160) that would BOTH remedy the ruling have passed the House and Senate but the differences in these bills must be resolved for it to move forward.
The bill is in danger and we are running out of time – The Senate and House versions of the bill are quite different. This could lead to an impasse that would mean the legislative session could end without a solution. Many people would be forced to choose between their beloved dog and their home. Your EMAIL OR CALL will save lives!
Why should I care if I don't have a pit bull? –People who care about Maryland's dogs (whether you have a pit bull or not) MUST make your voices heard or many dogs will be turned into our already overcrowded shelters and euthanized. This Court of Appeals ruling must be resolved or this dangerous precedent could eventually affect additional breeds of dogs, both large and small.
Click HERE to send a letter then make a call NOW! However, you MUST make sure that you are VERY POLITE when you make your call. Being less than polite can actually hurt, not help. After calling your Delegates and State Senator you can also call the leadership. Below is a script and phone numbers for House and Senate leadership.
"Molly's Law" Closes Loophole in Maryland Dogfighting Law
Both the Maryland Senate and House have passed the "Bait Dog" bill (S.B. 360/H.B. 542) known as "Molly's Law," introduced by Sen. Bryan Simonaire (R, Pasadena) and Del. Tony McConkey (R, Severna Park ). "Molly's Law" is named after a nine-month-old puppy, Molly, a pit bull mix who was used as a "bait dog," was found badly injured in an abandoned house in Baltimore and eventually died from her wounds.
Maryland Votes For Animals and The Humane Society of the United States Celebrate Landmark Spay/Neuter Program
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
ANNAPOLIS, Md. (March 22, 2013)—Maryland Votes for Animals and The Humane Society of the United States applauded the Maryland Senate and House for passing the spay/neuter bill, introduced by Sen. Joanne Benson, D-Prince George's County, and Del. Barbara Frush, D-Anne Arundel and Prince George's counties, to establish a statewide fund to support spay/neuter services through targeted community grants.
Carolyn Kilborn, chair of Maryland Votes for Animals, praised the Maryland General Assembly, and said, "This vote signifies a win for Maryland's animals and a win for Marylanders across the state. We are grateful to Speaker Busch, Delegate Frush and Senator Benson for their leadership in passing this landmark legislation. The majority of Senators and Delegates recognize the urgent need to address the tragic and unnecessary loss of life in Maryland shelters, and their votes will save thousands of lives."
Floor Vote Begins Tomorrow! - Help End the Torture of "Bait" Dogs
Votes Scheduled in both full House and full Senate – Votes for the Dog Fighting bill (S.B. 360/H.B. 542)) are this week, one as soon as tomorrow morning! Please ACT NOW to ask your legislators for their support.
Why? – The gruesome world of illegal dog-fighting operations includes the torture, abuse, and mutilation of non-fighting dogs (or "bait" dogs) to train fighting dogs. Bait dogs are of all shapes, sizes, and breeds, often rendered defenseless by using duct tape and restraints or tied to a pole or tree for days of repeated attacks until they die. It is the most horrific animal cruelty of its kind, and bait dogs suffer the cruelest fate. We read about its victims time and time again in Maryland and this cruelty must be stopped!
Send your LETTER OF SUPPORT for this bill now!
Spay/Neuter Passed both Houses of Maryand General Assembly TODAY!
Spay/Neuter bil has passed both houses in the Maryland General Assembly!
Today, Wednesday, March 21st, the full Senate in the Maryland General Assembly voted overwhelmingly to pass the Voluntary Low-cost Spay/neuter bill, SB 820/ HB 767! Thank you to the primary sponsor, Senator Benson, and to all the senators who voted favorably.
Monday, March 18th, the House of Delegates also voted overwhelmingly in support. Thank you to the primary sponsor in the house, Delegate Frush, and to all the delegates who voted favorably.
Here's the voting record: SB 820 passed 46 to 1. HB 767 passed 113 to 23.
