Justice for Animals

As of Sunday, March 27, 2011

Thank you, Pat Bryan, for bringing attention to the weak laws in place that prevent animal control and sheriff’s officers to prosecute people who have treated animals cruelly (March 16). I urge Sen. Blake to support and help pass the S2 bill, also known as Chamberlin’s Law.

I cannot believe the horrendous stories I continue to hear about animal abuse, right here in Moore County, and the people can just walk away with a slap on the wrist! This can’t be allowed to continue. Let us at least give some justice for these animals and get this law passed. It would:

Change the language to the existing law, which is weak and subject to any interpretation, allowing people who commit heinous crimes on animals to get a slap on the wrist to actually be convicted.
Set minimum standards for shelter (i.e., dog houses) that dogs must have if they are kept outside. This is important because many counties in North Carolina have no requirements for dog houses.
Give judges the ability to prohibit the person convicted from having custody of animals for any period of time.
Allow judges to order convicted animal abusers to receive psychiatric or psychological evaluation and/or counseling at the animal abuser’s expense.

Sen. Blake, it’s the least you can do. Please support Senate Bill S2 and give some justice to animals.

Linda McKarney

Pinehurst

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PBinNC 2 years, 1 month ago

Thank you, Linda. This legislation is also now in the NC House, House Bill 426. It has 4 sponsors and 23 co-sponsors, and 4 of the co-sponsors also happen to be on House Subcommittee Judiciary B, which is the first committee to "study" the bill. If it doesn't make it out of there, it's dead, just as if it doesn't make it out of the Senate Judiciary II committee, it is dead there too. CoChairs of House cmte are Rep. Paul Stam (supporters of Susie's Law are worried he is against legislation) and Rep Sarah Stevens. Other reps are Alice Bordsen, Angela Bryant, Justin Burr, John Faircloth, Rick Glazier, David Guice, Phillip Haire, Mark Hilton, Dan Ingle, Grier Martin, Mickey Michaux, and Gaston Pridgen. (Faircloth, Glazier, Ingle & Martin are cosponsors of the bill) Even though none of them represent Moore County, you can still write/email them and also Jamie Boles. To email members of NC House or Senate, you put the name with dot between first and last name @ncleg.net (Sample: Paul.Stam@ncleg.net. ) Update on dead dogs in Vass. There were three dead and one barely alive, which is being taken care of and is in foster care--heartworm positive and being treated. Animal Control officer to appear before grand jury to obtain indictment. Our county DA and her assistants work hard to prosecute animal abuse. They would be helped tremendously by the passage of Chamberlin's Bill to amend Susie's Law!

GoldenDreams 2 years, 1 month ago

Thank you Linda, and PBinNC, for the extra information about Chamberlin's Law. I was so happy when Susie's Law was passed but I know we need some extra muscle to help our animal friends in need. I'm still amazed that animals do not have to have an outside shelter when kept outside. How cruel can you be to keep animals out in freezing cold temperatures? Yet, I see it all the time. And how about animals living in filthy, horrendous conditions....these so called owners should not have the right to ever own an animal again. It's about time the law stood up for the victims and not the abusers.