Those of you who watch The Colbert Report may have seen this segment about legislation proposed by Utah Representative Curt Oda to allow shooting and killing feral animals, including cats and dogs.
The bill specifically allows "the humane shooting or killing of an animal if the person doing the shooting or killing has a reasonable belief that the animal is a feral animal." Shooting is singled out as an acceptable method in the bill, but Oda has stated that other methods include using a bow and arrow, clubbing or decapitating the animals.
In addition, the bill does not specify that only law enforcement or animal control officers are allowed to kill the animals. Instead, any member of the public may kill an animal they believe to be feral, which puts lost pets in jeopardy too.
According to Oda, no-kill methods, such as Trap-Neuter-Return programs, are less efficient and more expensive, yet groups like ASPCA and Alley Cat Allies maintain that TNR is the only proven way to control feral cat populations. No More Homeless Pets In Utah, a program of Best Friends Animal Society, is dedicated to helping feral cats within the state.
Please sign this petition to let Representative Oda know that you do not support the bill and believe that killing feral animals is not a humane or effective way to control feral populations. You can also help by sharing the link on your blog, facebook profile or twitter.
HOLY CRAP! How can anyone think this is a viable way to help the feral animal population? This just opens the door to allow crotchety neighbors, non-pet lovers and sickos to get crazy with weapons and violence. I'm Canadian, so I don't get a say - but I think this is ABSOLUTELY OUTRAGEOOUS. Thank you for speaking out!
ReplyDeleteI signed the petition a few days ago. I'm wondering what kind of nuts are falling from the trees these days. This is just wrong!
ReplyDeleteYour pal,
Opie
Happy Blog hop
I'm with ya...
ReplyDeletepawhugs, Max
We saw that on Colbert an he did such a good job saying how stoopid this 'hooman' duz be. Wat we duz not need iz hoomanz wiv gunz searching for lil anipals who iz just mindin they own bizniss!
ReplyDeleteOMG - What next. I did sign the petition. This kinds of stuff really angers M. I had not heard about this bill, so appreciate you providing the informtion and sharing the link.
ReplyDeleteIt's hard to believe this isn't a Monty Python sketch... unreal!
ReplyDeleteSigned!
ReplyDeleteYour pal, PIp
This is horrifying! I was feral for the first two years of mai life! It hard enough to be feral to look for food but you has to be awake at all times! But to has to worry about this...this is so pffft...ty for bringing this to our attentions
ReplyDeleteHow will it ever be proven that an animal wasn't feral after they shot it? What if my dog or cat gets loose, is someone just going to shoot it and claim it was feral?? It is like handing over a machete to anyone who hates animals. I'm still in shock that this is trying to made into a law. Who the hell thought of it??
ReplyDeletefanks efurryone fur ur comments. i am equally horrified. please be sure to sign da petition and post da link to ur blog, fb profile or twitter so others can learn about dis bill!
ReplyDelete