ANIMAL ADVOCACY

TOPIC ISSUE  Providing humane and kind treatment of all animals  Law researched is Maryland CODE ANN. art. 27, §§ 59 et seq. last amended in 2001  Law protects all animals in Maryland and helps to prevent their suffering and abuse

REASON FOR CHOSING TOPIC  Because I love animals  We have six dogs, two horses and a pet swan  I want to choose a career working with animals someday  I want to make sure that people are educated in animal safety and care and that all animals are protected by laws to prevent abuse

STUDY ISSUES  Implementation of current laws  New laws to secure animal safety  Making sure current laws are enforced

STUDY ISSUES  Implementation of current laws  MD. CODE ANN. art. 27, §§ 59 et seq. In 2001 Maryland against Aggravated Cruelty to Animals law made it a felony to mutilate, kill or beat an animal or do anything of or relating to those acts.  Because of this law pet abusers can be charged and punished for their offenses. Number of cases went from 16 in 2003 to 7 in 2004.

STUDY ISSUES  Implementation of current laws  The Statute Summary is that a person commits the crime of cruelty to animals if the person overdrives, overloads, deprives of necessary sustenance, tortures, torments, or cruelly beats, inflicts unnecessary suffering or pain upon the animal, or fails to provide necessary veterinary care, proper drink, air, space, shelter, or protection from the weather, intentionally mutilates or cruelly kills an animal. The punishment involved in cruelty to animals would be a misdemeanor fine up to $1000 and imprisonment up to 90 days. Aggravated cruelty to animals would result in a felony fine up to $5000 and imprisonment up to 3 years and forfeiture of animal and seizure.

STUDY ISSUES  New laws to secure animal safety  U.S. Humane Society is promoting over 100 bills in Federal and State legislatures.

STUDY ISSUES  Examples of legislation being promoted by the U.S. Humane Society: Ridding America of Animal Fighting Protecting Horses from Slaughter Cracking Down on Puppy Mills Outlawing the Keeping of Primates as Pets Ensuring the Humane Treatment of Farm Animals

STUDY ISSUES  Making sure current laws are enforced  More public education on animal welfare is needed  Animal Control must be notified if you suspect that an animal is being abused  Pets and can be confiscated if it can be shown that abuse has occurred

INTERVIEW RESULTS  Interviewed three Animal Advocates  All supported the legislation  Many of the concerns of these three people were similar but there were also differences based on their specific focus

INTERVIEW RESULTS  Focus of Persons Interviewed Reduction in Euthanasia Elimination of factory farming of livestock Legislative action to create laws to reduce animal abuse

INTERVIEW RESULTS  Possible Solutions to Animal Abuse Educate public about animal care Set up Animal abuse hotline Promote legislation to penalize abusers Educate people about neutering of pets Talk to friends and family members about issues affecting animals and let them know specifically how they can help

Letter to Public Official  Letter was sent to Congressman Elijah Cummings  Regarding bill number H.R  Bill pertains to allowing animals on public parkland  Congressman Cummings supports the bill and has co-sponsored legislation to protect wild horses

Response from Public Official

Conclusion  In Order To Protect Animals From Abuse, We Need To: Ask our representatives to pass new laws to secure animal safety Make sure current laws are enforced Work to educate everyone about proper animal care and safety Work to educate pet owners about neutering Support organizations that work hard to protect animals