Most of us care deeply about law and order. We expect our elected officials to make the right choices when it comes to writing and proposing new laws. Even keeping in mind that politicians are all too often influenced and helped being reelected by special-interests, for the most part we leave it up to them, and often refer to our lawmakers as they. But, have you ever thought that in reality you are they. Because, whatever topic is being proposed you have a powerful voice to make changes, or even propose new laws yourself. Meaning, if you disagree with certain new laws, or a lack of them, you can only blame yourself, sorry.

Fine talk coming from a group, meaning us, that almost missed language that would have effectively nullified important animal protection.

Of course we know that it takes time to plow through pages and pages of legalese. Things are tough to find and easy to miss. But, at least now it’s a little less painful to keep an eye on what’s being planned for the future. All one has to do is log on to government websites. Its’ all there, no matter what your interest.

For years we’ve known that many of New Jersey’s anti-cruelty laws are outdated, that new ones should be added and fines be increased. With that in mind, this past year New Jersey Assemblyman Jeff Van Drew (D-Cape May) went to work and crafted a bill (A2649) that pretty much re-designs the state’s laws.

Time after time, the bill’s language came under scrutiny and noisy disapproval by any number of individuals and groups, and to say the least, it’s still far from being ideal.

We read the proposed bill toward the end of last year and were horrified to find language in two sections of the bill that would have allowed the use of shelter animals for experimentation – a practice commonly referred to as pound seizure.

The proposed language read as follows: “sells or otherwise makes available the for purpose of experimentation or any other procedures that do not directly benefit the animal, any animal detained, procured, obtained, sent or brought to a pound or shelter.”

Pound seizure is an issue we’re familiar with and the very issue we wanted to concentrate on. The concern of course dealt with the proposed inclusion of the words: that do not directly benefit the animal. Should the bill have passed with this new language, New Jersey would have taken a dangerous step backwards, effectively endorsing pound seizure, something that has been illegal since 1978. The law came about and is still based on the availability of cheap fodder benefiting unscrupulous individuals, institutions and corporations.

We set out contacting Van Drew, his staff, other politicos, any number of people and groups, provided alerts on our website and internet posts. People called and emailed using our sample letter, see in short:

“...if dogs and cats are taken from shelters for experimentation...it would be difficult, if not impossible, for shelters to oversee procedures, or question the request for a supply of animals based on the advise of a college professor, for example. Animals would be taken out of the shelter for spay/neuter or teeth cleaning, but more may be done. Certain other, benign sounding procedures would be performed without giving thought to the duration, and the danger, that animals may be sedated...depending on the number of students involved, any procedural demonstration has its risks and requires more time...”

On February 22, 2007 the language was removed in both sections of the bill! Van Drew’s A2649 will now be referred to the senate. We’ll be keeping a close eye on it and hope that you will, too.

Many thanks to all those who called and wrote on behalf of shelter animals. In particular, Roseann Trezza of the Associated Humane Societies, Newark, NJ and Liz Clark, Atco, NJ.

You should also know that in addition to safeguarding shelter dogs and cats, the proposed New Jersey cruelty bill contains almost identical language that we passed as Camden ordinances. The bill limits the hours a dog can be chained, indoors and outdoors, and highlights the link of animal and human abuse by increasing penalties for cruelty to animals that have been committed in front of, or involving children.

-Marion Churchill

Rosie the pit bull got a lot of press in February and March. You may recall one of the news stories about her.

It started with the call I received “...you wouldn’t believe the condition this poor dog is in,” said the officer, “the leg is off — maybe hacked off - - the city will not pay for this.” More details from Camden animal control revealed that the dog was found in an empty lot in North Camden, and that she was in shock.

“I’ll make the arrangements at the hospital,” I said, thinking of a dog we had found previously with almost identical injuries on Camden’s Fillmore Street.

As always, once at the hospital the staff sprang into action, dropping most everything else. We have worked with the staff at this hospital for over 15 years, have brought them hundreds of sick and starving dogs and cats and know of the quality care that each one receives. There was no need to worry.

All told, we named this poor pup Rosie. The perpetrator, be it by act of brutality or neglect, has not been found.

But, Rosie survived her ordeal. She made it through surgery to amputate the rest of her leg like a champ, recovered quickly, and has been adopted into a loving home in Philadelphia. Amazing!

-Marion Churchill

Rosie shown here as she was found in North Camden.	Upon arrival at Rothman Animal Hospital in Collingswood.	The happy new family!