Massachusetts Bill Allows & Encourages
Animal Rights Activists to Sue Sportsmen
http://www.ammoland.com/2013/03/massachusetts-bill-allows-encourages-animal-rights-activists-to-sue-sportsmen/#axzz2MLGxBnKm
Columbus, OH -
-(Ammoland.com)- Massachusetts State Senator Mark
Montigny (D-New Bedford) recently introduced a bill that would allow
privateindividuals to file a lawsuit for the “protection and humane treatment
of animals.” This is of great concern for all sportsmen, farmers, and dog
owners.
Animal cruelty is already
a crime in Massachusetts just as it is across the country. Animal cruelty laws
are enforced by experienced law enforcement officers, including local police
forces and animal control officers, who are trained on what is and is not
animal cruelty under the law and how to spot it.
Senate Bill 767 would end
this proven system and instead give private citizens the ability to sue animal
owners over what they perceive to be “animal cruelty” under the law.
“Under this bill, animal
rights activists would be able to sue anyone – including sportsmen, farmers,
and dog owners – whenever and wherever they think animal cruelty is being
committed,” said Evan Heusinkveld, USSA’s Director of Government Affairs. “This
could force sportsmen and women who have done nothing wrong to spend thousands
of dollars to defend themselves against animal rights zealots looking to take
them to court.”
For example, if an animal
rights activist thinks common dog training practices —such as
using a shock collar or tethering— are inhumane, they would now be able to
sue the sporting dog owner or trainer claiming animal cruelty. Likewise, an
activist that disapproves of certain farming practices could sue farmers for
the practices they consider cruel. Even if a judge ultimately throws out the
case, the animal’s owner will likely have had to spend a good deal of money and
time fighting the bogus lawsuit.
“Enforcement of animal
cruelty laws should be left in the hands of trained law enforcement officers
and not be given to animal rights activists to harass law-abiding animal owners
and private citizens,” said Heusinkveld.
Massachusetts sportsmen
and dog owners should contact their state senators and tell them to oppose this
dangerous bill. Use USSA’s
Legislative Action Center
to find your state senator’s
contact information.
About:
The U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance is a national association of
sportsmen and sportsmen’s organizations that protects the rights of hunters,
anglers and trappers in the courts, legislatures, at the ballot, in Congress
and through public education programs. Visit www.ussportsmen.org.
Read more at Ammoland.com:
http://www.ammoland.com/2013/03/massachusetts-bill-allows-encourages-animal-rights-activists-to-sue-sportsmen/#ixzz2MLHE5d2y