Many of us who care about animals were deeply disturbed by the story of the poor pit bull, Phoenix, who was doused with gasoline and set on fire in Baltimore last month. Rescuers tried to save her but her liver began to fail and she was euthanized, leaving her in peace---but not those of us who know that animal cruelty is rampant in Maryland. Poor Phoenix made the headlines, but animal cruelty usually goes unreported and unnoticed by the public-at-large.

Ponder two interesting statistics regarding the animals and animal lovers of Maryland, startling in their contrast to each other:

The bad news:  Maryland ranks 32 out of 50 in the relative strength and general comprehensiveness of our animal protection laws.*

The good news:  Maryland is filled with people who care deeply how our animals are treated.  For example, Congressional District 3 (which encompasses a huge area running from Timonium to Annapolis) has more members and contributors to the Humane Society of the United States than any other district in the entire country, save one district in California.**

Let's face it, Maryland has a terrible and unconscionable problem with cruelty to animals.  Most recently it has come to light in the torture of an innocent kitten in Edgemere (article here), and in the burning of the poor pit bull, Phoenix, in Baltimore.  And in neither of these cases does Maryland have laws to protect the animals and properly punish the perpetrators.  Justice is NOT being served for these animals.  You know it, I know it, and most of all the perpetrators know it when they get a mere slap on the wrist for torturing and taking the precious life of an innocent animal.

Thankfully, help is on the way because this week a bill to increase the penalties for animal abuse is being drafted by Senator James Robey, Democrat in District 13, Howard County.  Senator Robey is taking a courageous stand for animals by asking that Maryland increase the penalty for misdemeanor cruelty to animals from 90 days in jail and a $1000 fine to 3 years in jail and a $5000 fine.  And, yes, in Maryland the torture of a kitten is only considered a misdemeanor.

There's great news for animals in the state of Michigan!  The Michigan House has voted 87-20 to phase out some of the most cruel and abusive farm animal practices including gestation crates for pigs, veal crates for calves and battery cages for laying hens.  In fact, the Associated Press has reported that some lawmakers in Michigan say the measure passed so easily in order to avert possible animal treatment initiatives similar to those recently passed in Arizona, California and Florida.

So how does this good news in Michigan help the animals of Maryland? 

Guest blogger Joseph Lamp, Ph.D., Wildlife Advisory Commission:

Our decades of prayers have been answered.  I can now report that on September 29, 2009, the United States Environmental Protection Agency approved drug #56228-40, GonaCon, a gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) immunocontraceptive vaccine for white-tail deer, developed by the National Wildlife Research Center.  This EPA approval sets the state for ConaCon's actual usage in the public domain, and it is not longer merely an "experimental drug" with all the caveats previously surround it as such.  No longer can anyone make the argument that you must kill the deer to control them as the only viable management option.

Maryland Votes for Animals is teaming up for our first two regional meetings with the Humane Society of the United States.  These meetings, Lobby 101, will prepare us for the 2010 legislative session so that we can get better laws for animals passed in Maryland.  You'll also get to network with other like-minded people who care about animals and who are determined that Maryland become a more humane state.

These meetings are in districts represented by powerful members of the Maryland General Assembly; lawmakers who control the outcome of many of our animal protection bills.  Therefore, it's critically important that those of us who are aware of the hidden suffering of animals attend these meetings and become a voice for all the animals who need our help.  Here's the schedule:

1) Thursday, Nov. 5th in Largo from 6:00 - 8:00 PM.  Here is the link for details and to RSVP: http://action.humanesociety.org/site/MessageViewer?em_id=6180.0&div_id=0

2) Monday, Nov. 16th in Baltimore from 5:30 - 7:30.  Here is the link for details and to RSVP: http://action.humanesociety.org/site/MessageViewer?em_id=6226.0&div_id=0

Looking forward to seeing you there!

Maryland Votes For Animals is proud to announce our first honorary board member, former mayor of Annapolis, Ellen Moyer.  Welcome Ellen, and thank you for taking a political stand for the animals of Maryland!

Last week, Maryland Votes For Animals testified at the hearing for Spay/Neuter of Dangerous Dogs, H.B. 15, which was sponsored by Delegate Haddaway-Riccio.  Thank you Delegate Haddaway-Riccio! 

Unfortunately, not all the delegates on the committee were sensitive to the issue of dangerous dogs and the related problem of dog fighting.  Some made comments that showed woeful ignorance to the benefits of neutering dogs, acting embarrassed and squeamish about the surgery and saying, "Are we going to penalize the dog for being aggressive?"  Others made jokes like this one:

Imagine you’re a top general in a war and it’s your job to save your country by winning the war. You’ve got to think big, you’ve got to think long-term, and most of all, you’ve got to think strategically if you plan to win. Moreover, you can’t expect to win every battle and, sadly, there will be casualties. But if you make your decisions based on the big picture then your chances of success are much greater.

MVFA testifies for S.B. 505

Now translate that idea to animals and imagine that it’s your job to end animal suffering in Maryland.  Huge job.  How would you do it?  You’d think like a general.  You’d realize that rescue alone won’t solve the problem; that’s like trying to win a war using only the Red Cross.  You’ve got continue the rescue work but do more.  You’ve got to get political for animals.

Maryland Votes For Animals is dedicated to  thinking like a general whose job it is to win the war of animal suffering.  This means that MVFA will think long-term, strategically and politically.  Here's how: