Senate Bill 250
May 10, 2009
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Previous Q & A's... |
SB 250, in a nutshell, requires owners of intact dogs to pay a new license fee or have their dogs sterilized. SB 250 affects cat owners too, but in a little different way. PetPAC interviewed Bill Hemby, PetPAC Chairman to ascertain his feelings on SB 250.
PetPAC: “Bill, we know you have been told of SB 250. Your thoughts?”
Hemby: “No rest for the wicked. I was on my way to my heart healthy exercise class when Kelley called. Mancuso and Senator Florez were about to hold a press conference at the capitol on a new bill. I hurried home, changed and headed down to the capitol, breaking a few speed laws on the way. In the meantime, Kelley had drafted up a PetPAC Press Release opposing the bill. On my way into the building, I picked them up and rushed to the hearing. I arrived as the handsomely debonair Matt Grant, star of “The Bachelor: London Calling” was espousing how shocked and dismayed he was over the tragedy of the pet overpopulation.”
PetPAC: “What was your reception?”
Hemby: “ The ever vigilant Mancuso spied me right away. At the end of the press conference, I started to distribute the PetPAC press release. That was when Mancuso and her minions jumped up in outrage, shouting I wasn’t allowed in their press conference. Every time I handed out a press release one of them grabbed it, ripped it up and threw it on the floor. So much for social compassion.”
“I retreated outside the room and gave an interview to the one and only camera there, a private cable TV station. My sparring partner Mancuso kept up a tirade about my lies, deceit and how I was only a Borzoi breeder and a paid lobbyist. I invited her to join me in front of the camera so we could jointly debate her new bill, but she refused. But, back to your original question. My thoughts. I believe SB 250 is a reincarnation of AB 1634. This bill is nothing more than a thinly disguised tax on pet owners.”
PetPAC: "Proponents say differently. They tell us SB 250 is not mandatory spay and neuter, all it is, they say, is a “"reasonable, fiscally responsible measure that will reduce homeless pets.”"
Hemby: “Yea. Right! First the bill outlaws unaltered dogs and cats. They do that so they can justify slapping a criminal penalty on us. Then they accuse us perpetrating their so called animal overpopulation by filling up shelters with unaltered animals. They accuse us of operating outside tax and zoning laws--- being tax cheats. SB 250 is a new pet tax, with mandatory spay and neuter lurking around the corner.”
PetPAC: “Proponents say thousands of homeless, unaltered pets are being killed in shelters, that this is a horrific problem that must be stopped. How do you answer?”
Hemby: “ If what they say is true, how will paying a new unaltered pet tax alleviate the problem? It won’t. I agree, killing thousands of dogs and cats in shelters is a horrific problem, but SB 250 espouses its OK to keep up the killing as long as you pay this special tax. What is wrong with this picture? Does their social compassion have a dollar sign on it?
PetPAC: “So you think SB 250 won’t stop the killing?”
Hemby: “Hell No! Just like any MSN measure, it will exacerbate the problem. If you don’t pay the tax, your dog will be confiscated and surgically sterilized. Then you have to pay the surgery, transportation, feeding and boarding costs, any other medical costs and a possible fine up to $250.”
“Guess what? Numerous owners of unaltered dogs and cats will disavow ownership of their pets, relinquish them or abandon them to shelters, which increases shelter spending and adds to the killing. As the Department of Finance reported last year, the state will be stuck with the tab of reimbursing local shelters their surgery and holding costs. “
PetPAC: “ It seems they are at it again. What do you expect to do to stop this threat?”
Hemby: “ The proponents of this bill are the same people who sponsored AB 1634. They are extremists. They want to end pet ownership. They won’t stop until we convince lawmakers and the public MSN is not the answer. “
“We need to do three things. First, oppose SB 250; convince state senators this bill, like AB 1634 is wrong. PetPAC will lead the charge. This will require all of us to get and stay involved. We must flood the state capitol with letters, faxes and telephone calls opposing SB 250. Our website at www.petpac.net will have letters, petitions and downloadable flyers that can be used. PetPAC will produce flyers, signs, buttons and information that will help. Dog and cat clubs need to publicize their opposition to SB 250 at conformation, agility, obedience and trials shows, PetPAC can help with materials.”
“Clubs must get their members involved. Appoint a PetPAC representative to communicate with us so we can stay on the same page. Urge their members to go to www.petpac.net and sign the petition. Urge their members to help us with donations.”
“During the year a number of us participate in dog and cat events outside of shows. Dog days in the park, Good citizen days, parades, and special events. We must use these events to educate the public about AB 250. PetPAC can help.
We need a united front. The worst thing is going in different directions. Proponents of SB 250 will try to divide us like they did over AB 1634. This cannot happen.”
Second: “ in order to do the first, PetPAC needs to raise funds. Dog and cat clubs must contribute to kill SB 250. Dog and cat owners, breeders, exhibitors and handlers need to contribute to PetPAC. Killing SB 250 and other threats is the responsibility of all of us. I would rather stand the criticism of always asking for money, than having to live under the yoke of MSN.”
Three: “We need to respond to the shelter killings. If we don’t, MSN will not stop. As dog and cat owners we have a moral responsibility to do what we can to control shelter killing. PetPAC will have legislation introduced within days that will urge the adoption of the Nathan Winograd No Kill Shelter Method. Look for the bill on our website. Promote this bill. If No Kill can stop 90% of the killings, we win the battle.”
PetPAC: “ Looks like you have your work cut out for you. Can you do it?”
Hemby: “It isn’t just me out there. I am just one person. I will do everything I can to stop SB 250. But, there are thousands of us ready to defeat this threat. If we stay focused, stay united and support the cause, we can’t lose.
