Friday, February 4th, 2005
PAWS
Actionline
A great opportunity
to make a difference
for animals
PAWS Campaign Against Circuses That Use Performing Animals
Important Links
PAWS Animal Cruelty Resources and Links
Legislative Links
Washington State- House of Representatives
- Senate
Federal
- House of Representatives
- Senator Maria Cantwell
- Senator Patty Murray
Vote Smart is an excellent resource for all sorts of legislation.
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PAWS Mailing Address:
PO Box 1037
Lynnwood WA, 98046
PAWS Physical Address:
15305 44th Ave W
Lynnwood, WA 98037
Your action is needed to help strengthen Washington State Animal Cruelty Laws!
There is a bill being proposed currently in the Washington State Legislature to revise the animal cruelty laws. It is House Bill #1499 in the House and Senate Bill #5532 in the Senate (same version). This is important legislation strongly supported by the Washington State Federation of Animal Care & Control Agencies, as well as HSUS and many other animal welfare organizations.
HB 1499 & SB 5532 update several outdated or unclear portions of Chapter 16.52 in the Revised Code of Washington. The proposed bills elevate animal cruelty in the first degree to a class B felony (maximum sentence = 10 years and/or $20,000 fine) and applies to the most heinous of animal cruelty. Animal cruelty in the second degree will be elevated to a class C felony (maximum sentence = 5 years and/or $10,000 fine). Owners and/or operators of animal fights will be charged with a class C felony (it is now a gross misdemeanor). The provision that someone could claim "economic distress" as an "affirmative defense" is also removed in HB 1499 & SB 5532.
Why does the law need to be changed?
1. The current law does not provide sufficient penalties for cases of animal cruelty. In cases across the state (including recent cases in Spokane, Pasco, Wilkeson, Renton and Bellevue), those found guilty of animal cruelty are receiving lowered penalties or being released early from jail.
2. Lax penalties send the message to prosecutors and criminals alike that animal welfare is not important in our state. This encourages the acceptance of pleas to lower counts and lesser penalties.
3. Violence against any living being should not be tolerated. The cycle of violence often begins with animal cruelty. If we identify, punish and correct the behavior of animal abusers whenever and wherever we can, by the strongest and most effective means possible, we can help prevent the offenders from committing further acts of violence against animals and violent crime against humans.
The Need for Your Awareness and What You Can Do:
Already several bills regarding animals and animal cruelty have been introduced in Olympia. We need you to contact your legislators and encourage their support of HB 1499 and SB 5532. More specifically, please contact the members of the Senate Judiciary Committee (Senator Adam Kline, Chair) and the members of the House Judiciary Committee (Representative Pat Lantz, Chair) to urge them to hold hearings on these two bills. Hearings are needed first before committees decide whether or not to pass, reject or do nothing with the bill. The last day the legislature can consider bills for the 2005 session is March 16th.
If you would like to find out the status of any bill in the state legislature, or how to contact members of the Washington State Senate and House of Representatives representing your district, simply go to www1.leg.wa.gov. Or call the toll-free Legislative Hotline at 1-800-562-6000 to leave a message for your two Washington State representatives and one state senator asking them to support HB 1499 and SB 5532.
You're invited to a free screening of one of the most powerful and enlightening films of our time....
"Peaceable Kingdom" is the film that every animal lover is talking about.
Monday, February 7th, 2005 @ 7:00pm
Everett Public Library
2702 Hoyt Ave. Everett, 98201
"Peaceable Kingdom" features the largest farm animal sanctuary in the U.S. What began as a spontaneous act of mercy grew into a lifetime commitment to shelter hundreds of rescued animals and transform the way we view farm animals forever. "PEACEABLE KINGDOM is a masterpiece. I hope it inspires growing numbers of people to support this desperately important cause."
Jane Goodall, Ph.D, D.B.E,
U.N. Messenger of Peace
Free screening sponsored by Northwest Animal Rights Network www.narn.org. For more information call 206.525.2246
*This event is not sponsored by Everett Public Library.
