Paws Cause Alert

Animal Law: Legislative News from Baton Rouge

Many wonderful pro-animal bills have been introduced to help animals this legislative session. You can help by contacting your legislators and asking them to support these important measures. Special thanks to our longtime friend and supporter, Representative Tony Ligi, who has introduced a measure to increase the penalties for the crime of animal poisoning this session. The bills we are supporting would:

HB 219. (Rep Karin Gaudet St. Germain, (D) - Plaquemine)
PROTECT CHAINED DOGS - would create the crime of illegally restraining a dog and outlaw the primary use of chains or tethers for restraining chained dogs.

SB 73. (Senator Heitmeier, (D) - Algiers)
OUTLAW THE GAS CHAMBER AT ANIMAL SHELTERS - would require that only lethal injection be used to euthanize shelter animals. This would end one of the terrible practices at rural shelters, which we have documented for years. (PASSED SENATE COMMITTEE! Contact your Senator to support.)

HB 829. (Rep Tony Ligi, (R) - Metairie)
GET TOUGH ON PET POISONERS - would make the act of poisoning any domestic animal an act of 'aggravated' cruelty increasing potential fines and jail times.

HB 201. (Rep Walker Hines, (D) New Orleans)
TRACK ANIMAL CRUELTY OFFENDERS - would require all convicted animal abusers to register with the parish or police department; this information would be shared with law enforcement officers in the enforcement or prevention of cruelty.

HB 313. (Rep Gary L. Smith, (D) Norco
MANDATE BREEDER FEES TO SUPPORT SHELTERS - would require all breeders to pay kennel fees set by parishes or municipalities; proceeds would be directed to shelters.
(PASSED HOUSE COMMITTEE! Contact your Representative to support.)

Track animal protection bills this Legislative Session on the NEWS section of our web site. Get up to date information on what you can do to help, with Senators and Representatives to contact and more!

You can make a real difference in helping to get this legislation passed by faxing, calling and emailing your representatives about these bills. Read the bills and track their progress online just by putting in the number of the bill or the author's name. You can also contact your state senators and representatives on the site, and if you don't know who your representatives are, find out his or her contact details from your zip code.