[AnimalAdvocacy] URGENT for Maryland Residents

February 13, 2001

I received this from another list. Please forward widely.

For those who don't know who their elected officials are, you can find

out all of the info at

and enter your zip code on the left.

Sharon

ATTENTION, MARYLAND ACTIVISTS: YOUR SUPPORT NEEDED TO PASS FELONY ANIMAL

CRUELTY LEGISLATION

S.356/H.649, which would elevate the most severe forms of animal cruelty

to felony-level offenses, has just been introduced in the Maryland

Legislature.

This legislation (Jimeno/Montague) would make egregious acts of

violence--including the torture or cruel killing of an animal--a felony,

and would also enable courts to require offenders to undergo

psychological counseling. " This felony classification is important

because it will allow law enforcement officials to devote greater

investigation resources to these heinous, often gruesome acts of

cruelty, " says Theresa Jolivette, ASPCA Government Affairs Associate.

" It will also allow for the tracking of animal cruelty offenders, which,

given the link between animal abuse and human violence, may help deter

future crimes against people. "

Maryland residents, please contact your legislators and let them know

that you support S.356 and H.649. Be sure to tell them that it is time

that Maryland joins the majority of other states that already treat

animal cruelty as a felony offense. To find contact information for your

state legislators, visit http://mlis.state.md.us/

GOOD DEED FOR THE DAY--FORWARD THIS NEWSLETTER TO ONE PERSON! Know

someone who cares about animals as much as you do and wants to make a

difference? Please forward this issue of ASPCA News Alert to them.

Anyone with an e-mail address can at our website,

or by sending an e-mail with a blank message to

join-news-alert.

And please tell teachers, humane educators and all the children in your

life about

, the ASPCA's new website for kids who love animals.

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