Sunday, March 27, 2011

NEVADA - ANIMAL LOVERS - DEMAND THIS TO BECOME LAW !

Support SB 223!  "Cooney's Law"
CooneyLawpic.jpeg
The law is named after “Cooney,” a rescue dog that was brutally killed by her owner.  Under NV Law, the brutal torture, mutilation with a box-cutter, and death of Cooney could only be charged as a misdemeanor 
The first committee hearing is scheduled for Wednesday, March 23rd, 3:30 p.m. 
.   
Currently, it's only a misdemeanor to: torture, cruelly beat or unjustifiably injure, maim, mutilate, starve, let die of thirst, or kill an animal, whether belonging to the person or to another.  It only becomes a Felony after you've abused your 3rd animal.  It's currently a Felony under NV law (NRS 574.107) to tamper with a show-dog.  We believe all animals deserve this protection.
SB 223 “Cooney's Law” is important because:
·         Studies show there is a link between animal abuse and domestic violence
·         Studies show there is a link between animal abuse and violent tendencies, crimes (rape, murder)
·         It gives law enforcement a tool to hold animal abusers accountable, especially where domestic violence has       occurred or been threatened.
·         Currently, anyone could torture, mutilate, beat or kill their pet OR, even worse, YOUR pet, and it's ONLY a misdemeanor.
·         There's already Felony provisions for show dogs, let's include all pets.
HOW YOU CAN HELP
#1. Email Senate Natural Resources Committee members and ask them to support SB 223. Put "Support SB223 Cruelty Bill" in SUBJECT LINE! Here are the emails:
Mark Manendo (Chair) mmanendo@sen.state.nv.us
David Parks (Vice Chair) dparks@sen.state.nv.us
Michael Roberson (Member) mroberson@sen.state.nv.us
John Lee (Member) jlee@sen.state.nv.us
Dean Rhoads (Member) drhoads@sen.state.nv.us
 #2: Testify in favor of SB 223 at Senate Natural Resources Committee hearing on Wednesday, March 23, at 3:30 p.m.  (if you don't like public speaking, no worries, showing up to support is a great contribution.)
In Las Vegas: Grant Sawyer Bldg. 555 E. Washington (LVBS & Washington) 4th floor, Rm 4412E
In Carson City: Nevada Legislature, 401 S. Carson St, Rm 2144
 #3: Please contact your State Legislators (Senate and Assembly); ask them to support SB 223.  Call 455-VOTE to find out who your legislators are or visit: http://www.leg.state.nv.us/ , click on Who’s My Legislator, What’s My District
#4: Your Opinion Counts!  The legislature wants to know your opinion.  Let's get SB 223 in the TOP 5! Go to: http://www.leg.state.nv.us/  on right side of page, click on Share Your Opinion on Legislative Bills  (WE'RE DOING GREAT! LAST CHECKED SB223 WAS #12 ON THE LIST)
Nevada Voters for Animals wishes to thank the following sponsors of SB 223: State Senators, Shirley Breeden, David Parks and Mark Manendo and Assemblyman Tick Segerblom. 
THANK YOU IN ADVANCE FOR TAKING ACTION ON BEHALF OF ANIMALS! TOGETHER, WE WILL GET THIS BILL PASSED.
NOTE: Below is an excerpt of the current NV cruelty statute and the current penalties. Currently, there is NO FELONY provision in our cruelty statute until the 3rd offense of cruelty.  A person could torture, mutilate, cruelly beat, maim, and KILL two (2) animals and it would ONLY be a misdemeanor.  It would only become a  felony on the 3rd offense of cruelty (and only if it was in the immediately preceding 7 years).   IT'S TIME TO CHANGE NEVADA'S CRUELTY STATUTE!
NRS 574.100  Overdriving, torturing, injuring or abandoning animals; failure to provide proper sustenance; requirements for restraining dogs and using outdoor enclosures; penalties; exceptions. (http://www.leg.state.nv.us/nrs/NRS-574.html#NRS574Sec100)
      1.  A person shall not:
      (a) Overdrive, overload, torture, cruelly beat or unjustifiably injure, maim, mutilate or kill an animal, whether belonging to the person or to another;
      (b) Deprive an animal of necessary sustenance, food or drink, or neglect or refuse to furnish it such sustenance or drink;
      (c) Cause, procure or allow an animal to be overdriven, overloaded, tortured, cruelly beaten, or unjustifiably injured, maimed, mutilated or killed or to be deprived of necessary food or drink;
      (d) Instigate, engage in, or in any way further an act of cruelty to any animal, or any act tending to produce such cruelty; or
      (e) Abandon an animal in circumstances other than those prohibited in NRS 574.110.
5.  A person who violates subsection 1, 2 or 3:
      (a) For the first offense within the immediately preceding 7 years, is guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be sentenced to:
             (1) Imprisonment in the city or county jail or detention facility for not less than 2 days, but not more than 6 months; and
             (2) Perform not less than 48 hours, but not more than 120 hours, of community service.
Ê The person shall be further punished by a fine of not less than $200, but not more than $1,000. A term of imprisonment imposed pursuant to this paragraph may be served intermittently at the discretion of the judge or justice of the peace, except that each period of confinement must be not less than 4 consecutive hours and must occur either at a time when the person is not required to be at the person’s place of employment or on a weekend.
      (b) For the second offense within the immediately preceding 7 years, is guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be sentenced to:
             (1) Imprisonment in the city or county jail or detention facility for not less than 10 days, but not more than 6 months; and
             (2) Perform not less than 100 hours, but not more than 200 hours, of community service.
Ê The person shall be further punished by a fine of not less than $500, but not more than $1,000.
      (c) For the third and any subsequent offense within the immediately preceding 7 years, is guilty of a category C felony and shall be punished as provided in NRS 193.130.
      6.  In addition to any other fine or penalty provided in subsection 5, a court shall order a person convicted of violating subsection 1, 2 or 3 to pay restitution for all costs associated with the care and impoundment of any mistreated animal under subsection 1, 2 or 3, including, without limitation, money expended for veterinary treatment, feed and housing.
      7.  The court may order the person convicted of violating subsection 1, 2 or 3 to surrender ownership or possession of the mistreated animal.

  • We are following the case of King, a German Shepard that was shot in Henderson by an off-duty NLV police officer in November.  Please check our JUSTICE FOR KING Facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/justiceforking)  for updated information on this case.  We are requesting that the City of Henderson re-open the investigation of the shooting of King.  The family of King has filed internal affairs complaints regarding this case.  http://www.fox5vegas.com/news/25886411/detail.html 
  • Henderson Spay/Neuter Ordinance - UPDATE: PASSED!  THANK YOU HENDERSON CITY COUNCIL! THIS ORDINANCE PASSED ON 8/3/10.  It will go into effect in 120 days.  If you own a dog or cat, over the age of 4 mos. in the Cities of Mesquite, City of North Las Vegas, City of Las Vegas, Clark County or Henderson:  SPAY OR NEUTER - IT'S THE LAW.  If you have questions, please contact your local animal control agency.  For Low Cost spay/neuter see info on links page. 

  • CAT SHOOTER: We are following the case of Arthur Mattox, who is charged with animal cruelty for allegedly shooting his neighbors cat with a high powered BB gun, paralyzing it, and causing it suffering and ultimately death by euthanasia.  The first hearing is schedule for June 23, 2010, at 1pm in LV Municipal Court.  We plan on attending along with other animal welfare advocates to ensure justice is served in this case.   ***Please email us if you'd like to get contact info for the judge and/or city attorney in this case to ensure justice is served. UPDATE: ADDITIONAL CHARGES WERE ADDED FOR THIS HORRIFIC CRIME.  THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO MADE CALLS AND DEMANDED JUSTICE FOR THIS CAT.  THE NEXT COURT DATE FOR Arthur Mattox IS DECEMBER 7, 2010. NEW UPDATE: Case Continued to MARCH 29, 2011, 8:15 a.m. 

  • Educating and informing is ongoing.  Please remember that change starts at home.  Please make sure your pets (and friends/family members' pets) are spayed and neutered.  Killing over 31,000 cats and dogs each year in Southern NV is TRAGIC and unacceptable.  We MUST do better!  We CAN do better!


 
VICTORIES FOR ANIMALS!
  • City of Henderson passed mandatory spay/neuter and adopted language from AB 15 which will require posting of applicable sterilization requirements in public parks, veterinarian offices, and to be disclosed in writing to purchasers by pet stores.

  • You may remember seeing stories on ch. 13 and ch. 3 with video showing little puppies crammed in cages sweltering in the summer heat.  Click here to see ch. 13 story: http://www.ktnv.com/global/story.asp?s=10997253&ClientType=Printable  Click these links to see video on YouTube.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mOTD69bhLNM    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uSg29MZLdbk&NR=1  WE'RE GLAD TO REPORT: NLV CITY COUNCIL PASSED ORDINANCE TO REGULATE SALE OF ANIMALS AT SWAP MEET, WITH ENCOURAGEMENT THAT A FULL BAN IS STILL POSSIBLE IN THE FUTURE.  We're thankful no animals will be sold under 55 degress or over 85 degrees.  Please email us or report to NLV Animal Control if you witness a violation of temperature restrictions.
  • We're celebrating the recent passage of regulated spay/neuter in the City of Las Vegas and Clark County!  There is now some uniformity across much of the Las Vegas Valley.  Thank you to everyone who worked on this and turned out to support these ordinances and a HUGE thanks to the elected officials who had the courage to take a chance on a new direction and strategy in the fight against pet overpopulation.  We euthanized 31,000+ unwanted pets last year in Southern Nevada - nearly enough to fill every seat in SAM BOYD STADIUM.  Please lead by example and spay & neuter your pets and remind your friends, family, co-workers, and the lady in line at grocery store, to SPAY & NEUTER - IT'S THE LAW!  Affordable spay & neuter is available. See links page for more info.
KITTEN SEASON is HERE! Please remind family, friends, neighbors and co-workers to BE RESPONSIBLE and spay & neuter their cats - ESPECIALLY if they are outdoor cats.   There are leash laws for Cats and they are not supposed to run at-large.  Thousands of homeless kittens grow up feral roaming our streets.  Many are euthanized at the shelter because there are simply not enough homes for adoption.  The only answer is to prevent the litters in the first place.  It's the only way...neuter & spay. And now... it's the law.
TOO MANY HOMELESS & UNWANTED ANIMALS IN SOUTHERN NV 
Like many folks, I consider my PETS (dogs, cat, birds) to be treasured members of my family. Sadly, there are others who consider them a source of income or just a piece of property that are disposable when no longer needed or wanted. In Southern Nevada alone, we kill more than 30,000 dogs and cats each year and in some cases bury them in landfills like trash. The time has come for us to find a morally acceptable and fiscally responsible way to stop the killing. Please seize this opportunity to stand with us and support much needed CHANGE. EVERY VOICE COUNTS!

Thank you in advance for your participation on behalf of animals.
Gina Greisen, President
Nevada Voters For Animals 

  •  CAT RESCUE - A very special THANKS to Councilman Richard Cherchio for assisting animal advocates in rescuing a cat that had been stuck on a power pole for 5 days.  The Las Vegas Valley Humane Society took the initial call of the cat trapped on the pole and contacted the councilman through Nevada Voters for Animals when attempts to get the power company to rescue the cat were unsuccessful.  Within 15 minutes of receiving the call, Councilman Cherchio personally drove to the site to ensure the cat would be rescued.  We are very grateful to have an elected official who cares so much about animals and has worked with us in the past to address animal issues in NLV.  In 2009, Cherchio assisted us in restricting the sale of animals during extreme temperatures at the outdoor NLV swap meet. Cat story link http://www.lvrj.com/news/-dead-feline-eludes-rescuers-115087424.html

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