Governor Pawlenty Vetos Cocoa Bean Mulch Warning Legislation

Last Friday, Governor Pawlenty vetoed legislation that would have required retailers of cocoa bean mulch to post warning signs alerting potential buyers of the mulch's potentially dangerous affect on pets. In a letter announcing the veto, Governor Pawlenty called the legislation "well intended" but was also concerned with its "legislative overreach."

Even though the bill will not be signed into law, it's a good opportunity to remind everyone that cocoa bean mulch can be very dangerous to our pets! According to an article published by the AVMA, while the odds of a pet dying from ingesting the mulch are low, it's still a good idea to avoid using the mulch in areas assessable to unsupervised dogs. And, it's important to contact a veterinarian if you suspect your dog has ingested the mulch.

Bauck Sentancing Postponed - There's still time for you to voice your opinon!

As you may already know, Kathy Bauck, was convicted of four misdemeanors (3 for animal cruelty, 1 for torture). Sentancing was to have taken place last week, but was postponed until May 1.

Please consider drafting a letter to the judge asking for the strictest sentencing possible. Letters can be sent to the judge requesting that a strong sentence be imposed.
Honorable Judge Waldemar Senyk
121 West Junius Avenue, Suite 310
Fergus Falls, MN 56537
Fax: 218-998-8414 (a fee of $25 is charged)
Email: does not accept emails
Case #56-CR08-2271
Please be respectful, brief and professional in your writing, as this will better support animal protection efforts.

For more information on Ms. Bauck's facility, guilty verdict, and to see undercover video of the facility, click here.

Pit bull=hero

Check out this video about a pit bull who helped police capture a robber. It's not everyday you hear a pit bull referred to as a hero!

End Pound Seizure in Minnesota

Did you know there is a law on the books in Minnesota that allows licensed institutions to seize animals left for more than five days in publicly-funded facilities? That’s right, if your pet were to end up at, say, an animal control facility and you were unable to claim your four-legged friend within five days, the animal control facility is legally required to turn it over to a licensed institution requesting the animal.

The good news is that there are ways you can prevent this from happening to you

• The law also prohibits institutions from seizing animals with identification indicating that the animal cannot be made available for research. Click here to see an example.
• Sign the petition asking legislators to end pound seizure
• Visit www.endpoundseizuremn.org to learn more about this issue.
  

Puppy / Kitten Mill BIll Update

The Puppy / Kitten Mill bill did not make it out of committee before the deadline, so this year, we won’t see puppy / kitten mill legislation. While this is certainly not the news we were hoping for, a lot of progress was made during this session. Even though H.F. 253 did not have enough votes to make it out of committee, it remains “laid on the table” (a fancy way of saying set aside for possible further discussion). That means next year, we can pick up where we left off.

In the meantime, let’s keep this issue alive! There are things you can do to help ensure the bill passes next year.

• Educate everyone! Bring this topic up in conversation with friends, family, co-workers, anyone you feel comfortable talking to. Many people are unaware inhumane breeders, and the horrible conditions cats and dogs find themselves in.
  
• Encourage adoption! If you know people interested in a cat or dog, be sure to remind them of the many homeless cats and dogs in need of a home. There are a number of rescue organizations (many specializing in certain breeds), and even the pickiest people can find their next pet through adoption.
  
• Contact your legislators! Everyone who’s in the legislature now, will be there in 2010 (and many will be up for re-election!). Remind them of the importance of this issue.
  
  Visit animalfolksmn.org to learn more about the fate of H.F. 253 / S.F. 7 and to stay educated on puppy and kitten mills.

Puppy / Kitten Mill Bill Update and More Calls Needed!

First, the good news! H.F. 253 passed out of the House Civil Justice Committee on Monday without any amendments!

MORE CALLS NEEDED IN THE HOUSE -- ANOTHER HEARING
The bill is now going to be heard in the House Agriculture Committee the morning of Friday, March 27.

ACTION: Please call all of the members on the committee before Friday morning and ask them to vote in favor of H.F. 253, Representative Tillberry's bill. As you know, hearings are unpredictable. Unforeseen amendments to weaken the bill may be introduced at the hearing, which is why it's important to reiterate your support of H.F. 253 and urge committee members not to accept any amendments that would weaken it.

Below is a list of the committee members and their phone numbers.

House Agriculture, Rural Economics and Veterans Affairs Committee
Call BEFORE Friday, March 27. Support H.F. 253.
Chair: Representative Mary Ellen Otremba - 651-296-3201
Vice Chair: Representative Al Doty - 651-296-4247
Representative Steve Drazkowski - 651-296-2273
Representative Kent Eken - 651-296-9918
Representative Tim Faust - 651-296-0518
Representative Rod Hamilton - 651-296-5373
Representative Kory Kath - 651-296-5368
Representative Terry Morrow - 651-296-8634
Representative Dave Olin - 651-296-9635
Representative Ron Shimanski - 651-296-1534
Representative Dean Urdahl - 651-296-4344

Urgent-Senate Hearing on Puppy / Kitten Mill Legislation. Your calls needed!

The Minnesota Puppy and Kitten Mill Bill -- S.F. 7 (Betzold) -- is going to be heard in the Senate Agriculture Committee on Tuesday, March 24, for more debate and a vote.
This is a second hearing for this committee and a final vote (in this committee) will be taken. This vote is critical, so we are urging you to call all of the members on this committee once more.
IMPORTANT: A weaker amendment requiring "registration only" for breeders may be offered at this hearing, which will do little to protect animals from unscrupulous breeders. Ask committee members NOT to support a weaker, "registration only" amendment.

ACTION: Please call all of the members on the committee before 3:00 p.m. Tuesday and ask them to vote in favor of S.F. 7 (Sen. Betzold's bill) -- and to NOT support a weaker, "registration only" amendment.

SENATE AGRICULTURE COMMITTEE MEMBERS -- Support S.F. 7
Chair: Senator Jim Vickerman (District 22) 651-296-5650
Vice Chair: Sharon L. Erickson Ropes (District 31) 651-296-5649
Senator Satveer S. Chaudhary (District 50) 651-296-4334
Senator Steve Dille (District 18) 651-296-4131
Senator Lisa A. Fobbe (District 16) 651-296-8075
Senator Joe Gimse (District 13) 651-296-3826
Senator David W. Hann (District 42) 651-296-1749
Senator Bill G. Ingebrigtsen (District 11) 651-297-8063
Senator Paul E. Koering (District 12) 651-296-4875
Senator Gary W. Kubly (District 20) 651-296-5094
Senator Keith Langseth (District 9) 651-296-3205
Senator Tony Lourey (District 8) 651-296-0293
Senator Steve Murphy (District 28) 651-296-4264
Senator Rod Skoe (District 2) 651-296-4196
Senator Dan Skogen (District 10) 651-296-5655 (Kathy Jo Bauck's district*)
* Kathy Jo Bauck is owner of Pick Of The Litter, a dog breeding facility in Otter Tail County, Minnesota. Bauck has been charged with multiple counts of animal cruelty and torture. That trial is in process right now.

Legislators are hearing from dog and cat breeders, hunting groups, the NRA, and others who oppose the bill or any regulation. Your voice is necessary.