New York Euthanasia Bill Is An Attack on Hunting

[LifeNRA]

New York Euthanasia Bill is Camouflaged Attack on Hunting and Trapping- (07/01)
New York

New York sportsmen are being called to defeat a dangerous, precedent-setting senate bill that would set standards for the killing of wildlife.

Senate Bill 2084, sponsored by Sen. Frank Padavan, R-Bellerose, will allow the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) to set the standards for destroying nuisance wildlife, including trapped animals, based on the organization’s euthanasia policy. Changes to the AVMA guidelines would automatically become wildlife law. There would be no review by the legislature, public or wildlife professionals.

The AVMA has taken stances against trapping and hunting. In 2002, it objected to a woman shooting her own dog as an act of euthanasia. Now, the same group is in line to set the standards for trapping and hunting.

“This legislation could be devastating for sportsmen,” explained Tony Celebrezze, U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance director of state services. “Neither veterinarians nor any other private organization sets wildlife rules in New York or any state. If anti-hunters were to make up the majority of the AVMA’s Board of Directors, it would be able to change wildlife policy without approval of wildlife professionals.”

The bill is an invitation for the animal rights lobby and the lawyers with the Animal Protection Litigation section of the Humane Society of the United States. They can argue that the regulations would not only apply to trapping, but hunting as well.

Senate Bill 2084 reflects the intent of a bill that Illinois sportsmen were able to defeat two years ago. The New York bill has passed the Senate Environmental Conservation Committee by a vote of 10 to 4. It awaits action on the Senate floor.

Take Action! New York sportsmen should call their senators today and urge them to oppose SB 2084. Explain that allowing a private organization to set standards for the dispatch of wildlife is unacceptable and a significant threat to hunting. To contact your senator, call (518) 455-2800 or use the Legislative Action Center at www.ussportsmen.org.

[Squirrelhunter91]

Could it really happen though? The DEC sets the regulations for game animals. No matter what. Every bill is referred back to DEC after passing the house or whatnot...

[buckee]

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If anti-hunters were to make up the majority of the AVMA’s Board of Directors, it would be able to change wildlife policy without approval of wildlife professionals.”


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That's it isn't it. It's just a matter of time before the antis take a strong-hold in high places where laws are made and that will be that.
Too many sportsman look at something like that and say to themselves "OH, that could never happen", and then, all of a sudden, it's a reality.
Then it too little, too late, and what's done is done.
(Just like homosexual marriages in Canada and our gun laws)

[dogdoc]

Life---show me one time when the AVMA has taken a stance against hunting.

All the bill is trying to do is provide a humane way to destroy these animals---it has nothing to do with hunting. It also has nothing to do with legal fur trapping---it has to do with the trapping of nuisant animals---such as a squirrel in your attack, a skunk under your house, or a raccoon invading your trash every night. The bill is trying to adopt HUMANE standards for euthanasia of an animal---and who better to set these standard than Veterinarians. If you want to shoot your own dog in the head b/c your too tight to pay 15 bucks to have it humanely euthanized that is your choice---heck we don't even charge to euthanize at my clinic. I don't feel right making money while putting to sleep man's best friend or the old lady's cat. Why would you expect the AVMA to support a person shooting their pet dog???? I have no problem with this bill and I am one of the most ANTI-PETA types you will ever meet.


The AVMA has fought against PETA, Humane Society of U.S. and other animal right groups. Trust me---my partner was the President of the AVMA 2 years ago. PETA doesn't think animals should be owned, they are against the slaughter of animals for food, they are against rodeos, they are against any animal entertainment-----the AVMA is a supporter of all of those.

todd

[LifeNRA]

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If anti-hunters were to make up the majority of the AVMA’s Board of Directors, it would be able to change wildlife policy without approval of wildlife professionals.”


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This is what scares me! Doc I know your a vet. I just got this in an email. Please! This was nothing towards you! But you know the anti-hunters, they will do anything they can in order to stop us! But like I said, this was not a stab at you or any other person who is a vet!

[buckee]

Sorry Todd, I guess I mis-spoke on that one. It was just a blanket statement. You know a lot more about the AVMA than I do.

[horst]

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It also has nothing to do with legal fur trapping---it has to do with the trapping of nuisant animals---such as a squirrel in your attack, a skunk under your house, or a raccoon invading your trash every night.

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If you want to shoot your own dog in the head b/c your too tight to pay 15 bucks to have it humanely euthanized that is your choice-

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Doc, I think the concern here is the interpretation of the law.Theres not much difference in trapping a coon thats raiding your garbage can or trapping a coon out in the countryside to profit from its pelt, really, ones no more humane than the other.

The same could be said for shooting your dog in the head or shooting a deer from a treestand from 100 yrds away.Ones no more humane than the other, the only difference is your gonna eat the deer and most people havent got the stomach to shoot there own dog, myself included.

I dont believe the AVMA is backing this as a anti hunting bill but I think that it needs to be very carefully worded so it cant be used as one the first time PETA or someone like them use it in a courtroom to have something banned.

[wtnhunt]

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will allow the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) to set the standards for destroying nuisance wildlife, including trapped animals, based on the organization’s euthanasia policy. Changes to the AVMA guidelines would automatically become wildlife law. There would be no review by the legislature, public or wildlife professionals.

The AVMA has taken stances against trapping and hunting.

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If anti-hunters were to make up the majority of the AVMA’s Board of Directors, it would be able to change wildlife policy without approval of wildlife professionals.”


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Really sounds to me like the anti's in this are attempting to try to make out veterinarians to be against hunters in an attempt to turn more opinions. That is what they do. Claiming support from vets gives them more clout with the generally misinformed animal lovers who dont know any better.

Really dont honestly think vets would be out to change hunting laws.

[Texan_Til_I_Die]

I tend to agree that "at this time" there wouldn't be any problems from the AVMA, but who's to say what the leadership of that organization might look like in 10 or 15 years? I also don't like the precendent of allowing some unelected and unaccountable group to set laws governing the people of a state. That would be like allowing MADD to set all of the traffic regulations. They may be a perfectly worthwhile group, but I don't want them setting regulations.

[dogdoc]

Don't get me wrong--I know there are veterinarians that are anti-hunters and belong to PETA.

All this bill is trying to do is ADOPT proper protocol for the destroying (euthenasia) of these animals. The way I understand the bill it has nothing to do with hunting or setting any hunting or trapping laws.

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I also don't like the precendent of allowing some unelected and unaccountable group to set laws governing the people of a state.

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Texan--In Oklahoma a lot of the hunting regulations/laws are made my non-elective officials. A lot of the hunting dates/regulations/limits are made my Dep't of Wildlife officials not elected law makers.

Guy's I would be TOTALLY against any hunting, fishing, trapping regulations be governed by the AVMA. Veterinarians should not be making these decisions (except of me )

todd

[Texan_Til_I_Die]

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Texan--In Oklahoma a lot of the hunting regulations/laws are made my non-elective officials. A lot of the hunting dates/regulations/limits are made my Dep't of Wildlife officials not elected law makers.


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Correct, same here in Texas. But, those folks are all under the control of a board of directors that is established by the Governor, who is an elected official.