Thursday October 29, 2009, 3:49 pm
Update Oct. 28, 2009: Logan's Law, H.B. 344, a Massachusetts bill to ban the cruel devocalization of dogs and cats was supposed to be called for a second reading today. The bill has passed the Joint Committee on the Judiciary.

But state Rep. Bradford Hill passed on the bill, meaning he took it off the docket to avoid a vote. He can keep doing this every time the bill is scheduled. Rep. Hill opposes this humane bill.

No surprise.

He has received hundreds of dollars in campaign contributions from the American Kennel Club and other breeders. The AKC and breeders oppose this bill because they don't want any regulation of the way they treat their dogs. They want to be able to devocalize animals they breed for their convenience.

Don't let Rep. Hill put politics above stopping animal cruelty. He represents Fourth Essex consisting of precincts 1 and 3, of the town of Boxford, and the towns of Hamilton, Wenham, Ipswich, Manchester-by-the-Sea, and precinct 2, of the town of Middleton, all in the county of Essex. Go here to find out if he is your representative.

Regardless, contact Rep. Bradford Hill and tell him you want the legislature to vote on H.B. 344 and to stop passing on it. Tell him to stop playing politics with animals' health and safety and their humane care and treatment. Write him at Rep.BradHill@Hou.State.MA.US or call (617) 722-2100. You can also write him at the State House, Boston, MA 02133. Go here for more information about devocalization and an Act Prohibiting Devocalization, H.344

Thursday October 29, 2009, 3:49 pm
WHAT ELSE YOU CAN DO

Demi's breeder had her vocal cords cut to stifle her voice; some do this routinely. When a rescuer had her spayed, scar tissue made it difficult to keep her airway open. Devocalization will compromise Demi's health for life. Other dogs will die. You have the power to stop this cruelty.

The Mass. Veterinary Medical Association's lobbyist was on Beacon Hill yesterday. MVMA and the AKC-affiliated dog breeders' association are working vigorously to kill An Act Prohibiting Devocalization, H.344--or introduce amendments that would allow devocalization to continue. If they win, more defenseless animals will be maimed. Go here for more information about an Act Prohibiting Devocalization, H.344

What can you do to help? A lot--in less than 5 minutes.

►Call or fax your State (Beacon Hill) Rep immediately. Emails are not as effective, but better than no action. To find your Rep: http://www.wheredoivotema.com/, enter your address, then look for your "Rep in General Court." Go here for more information on H.B. 344, also known as Logan's Law.

►Urge him or her to ensure An Act Prohibiting Devocalization, House Bill 344 passes this session--without amendment. Tell your representative that the following amendments would render this bill useless:

"Allowable as a last resort to manage barking" would make the law unenforceable. Vets cannot determine "last resort"--and may be financially disincentivized to try.
"Permissible if performed by a licensed vet" would maintain the status quo. Vets are devocalizing now, yet dogs are suffering, and some are dying--including the patient of a prominent MVMA member. The little Pom choked to death after she devocalized him. Devocalization subjects animals to serious risks no matter who performs it or how the vocal cords are cut. (Source: Humane Society Veterinary Medical Assn.)
Remove penalties. The penalties, however, are the same as for any crime of animal cruelty in Massachusetts. This is a point that could be negotiated but MVMA has refused to do that.
►Say you'll be following the bill and do it! The legislative process is long, and opponents are determined. Call back every 3-4 weeks to reinforce your support for this humane legislation.

Animals need your compassion and action. Without both, they have no voice. Watch the video and meet dogs maimed by devocalization.