I hope some of us will write to our representatives concerning the new legislation for the wild horses, if indeed you wish for this to be changed back to how it was. A complete coverage is included in this email.
   Linda Landers

About 1/3 the way down is current info on the wild horse and burro issue.

_____

From: Cindy Schonholtz [mailto:cmschonholtz@...]
Sent: Friday, February 25, 2005 7:56 AM
To: awc@...
Subject: From the Animal Welfare Council



ANIMAL WELFARE COUNCIL

Email Update
February 25, 2005

AWC MEETING INFORMATION
Animal Welfare Council Annual Meeting and Board Meeting
Monday, April 18, 2005 at 9:00 a.m.
Hyatt Regency on Capitol Hill
In conjunction with the American Horse Council Convention
You can get hotel info and a link to the online hotel reservations by going
to the American Horse Council:
http://www.horsecouncil.org <http://www.horsecouncil.org/>

Room rates are: $215 single, $240 double - ask for American Horse Council
room block
800-233-1234 - Reservations must be made by March 15, 2005 to get rate

Please email me any agenda items; I will be getting out an agenda before the
meeting.

New Contact information for Cindy:
Beginning March 3rd I will be working out of my home office as Executive
Director of the American Youth Horse Council. I will continue as usual with
the Animal Welfare Council duties until the meeting in April where the
situation can be addressed, I will pledge to continue the weekly updates.
My contact information after March 3 will be:
Cindy Schonholtz
6015 Colony Circle
Colorado Springs, CO 80919
719-594-9778
cell: 719-440-7839
<mailto:cschonholtz@...> cschonholtz@... or
<mailto:awc@...> awc@...


ANIMAL RIGHTS/ENVIRONMENTALISM ISSUES

Article outlines groups national attack on hunting rights (WY)
http://www.billingsgazette.com/index.php?id=2
<http://www.billingsgazette.com/index.php?id=2&display=rednews/2005/02/24/bu
ild/outdoors/50-wyo-outdoors.inc>
&display=rednews/2005/02/24/build/outdoors/50-wyo-outdoors.inc

Animal rights advocacy is a growing field (LA Times)
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-onthelaw25feb25,1,761219.story?coll=
la-headlines-california

Animal lobby protests rodeo sponsorship at Campbell's (NJ)
http://www.tucsoncitizen.com/index.php?page=pro
<http://www.tucsoncitizen.com/index.php?page=pro&story_id=022405c8_rodeo>
&story_id=022405c8_rodeo

Animal rights & wrongs (LA Times)
http://www.latimes.com/features/food/la-fo-matters23feb23,1,1010789.column?c
oll=la-headlines-food

Practicing ethics or polemics (OH)
http://www.cleveland.com/living/plaindealer/indexssf?/base/living/1108636494
278382.xml
<http://www.cleveland.com/living/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/living/11086364
94278382.xml>

Parent upset with PETA promotion (DE)
http://www.middletowntranscript.com/pages/newpromotion.html

McDonald's blaze suspect held (WA)
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/212412_mcdonalds17.html

Colorado Professor: we have not yet begun to terrorize (Center for Consumer
Freedom)
http://www.consumerfreedom.com/news_detail.cfm?headline=2748

Animal rights criminals among FBI and CIA threats outlined in Senate hearing
(NY Times)
http://nyjtimes.com/cover/02-21-05/CIA-FBICategorizeTerrorThreats.htm
<http://nyjtimes.com/cover/02-21-05/CIA-FBICategorizeTerrorThreatshtm>

New Abolitionism: Capitalism, slavery and animal liberation (Stephen Best
article)
http://www.pressaction.com/news/weblog/full_article/best02222005/

Fox hunting continues in different form after ban (UK)
http://www.cnsnews.com/ViewCulture.asp?Page=%5CCulture%5Carchive%5C200502%5C
CUL20050221a.html

Animal rights group aims for protest leeway (UT)
http://www.sltrib.com/utah/ci_2567988


HORSE WELFARE

Wild horse advocates voice disappointment in Reid's inaction (NV)
http://www.rgjcom/news/stories/html/2005/02/23/93008.php?sps=rgj.com
<http://www.rgj.com/news/stories/html/2005/02/23/93008.php?sps=rgj.com&sch=L
ocalNews&sp1=rgj&sp2=News&sp3=Local+News&sp5=RGJ.com&sp6=news&sp7=local_news
>
&sch=LocalNews&sp1=rgj&sp2=News&sp3=Local+News&sp5=RGJ.com&sp6=news&sp7=loca
l_news

Horse owner pleads not guilty to neglect (NY)
http://www.dailyfreeman.com/site/news.cfm?BRD=1769
<http://www.dailyfreeman.com/site/news.cfm?BRD=1769&dept_id=74958&newsid=140
05887&PAG=461&rfi=9> &dept_id=74958&newsid=14005887&PAG=461&rfi=9

25 horses confiscated in NM
http://www.gallupindependent.com/2005/feb/021605horses.html

Sheriff's office looks into possible horse abuse case (FL)
http://www.willistonpioneer.com/articles/2005/02/18/news/news02.txt

MSPCA accuses breeder of horrendous abuse (MA)
http://news.bostonherald.com/localRegional/view.bg?articleid=69625

ANIMAL WELFARE & ID

Fewer vets going into large animal care (LA Times)
http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/wire/ats-ap_health14feb24,1,1
180016.story?coll=sns-ap-tophealth

Animal ID plan in early implementation in state (CA)
http://www.ukiahdailyjournal.com/Stories/0,1413,91~3089~2724335,00.html

Livestock farmers can register animals to fight disease (MN)
http://www.startribune.com/stories/535/5241519.html

LEGISLATIVE NEWS

Cruelty bill treads careful line (UT)
http://www.sltrib.com/utah/ci_2584206

Activist looks at animal regulation (FL)
http://www.gainesville.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050214/COLUMNS03/502
14003/-1/news

WY Ag committee ok's bill to require livestock disease reporting
http://www.casperstartribune.net/articles/2005/01/15/news/wyoming/e5cc8e6ff8
2e60b587256f8800677505.txt

New bill would ban horse slaughter (IL)
http://www.star.niu.edu/articles/?id=5362

FEDERAL LEGISLATION
IMPORTANT, NEW BILL TO BAN THE SLAUGHTER OF HORSES INTRODUCED:
H.R.503
Title: To amend the Horse Protection Act to prohibit the shipping,
transporting, moving, delivering, receiving, possessing, purchasing,
selling, or donation of horses and other equines to be slaughtered for human
consumption, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep
<http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/?&Db=d109&querybd=@FIELD(FLD003+@4((@
1(Rep+Sweeney++John+E.))+01591))> Sweeney, John E. [NY-20] (introduced
2/1/2005) Cosponsors
<http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/D?d109:90:./temp/~bdkbL1:@@@P> (15)
Latest Major Action: 2/1/2005 Referred to House committee. Status: Referred
to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
Full bill text attached to this email.


ACTION NEEDED IMMEDIATELY:
AWC members should contact their Reps immediately with information regarding
their position on this bill. Additionally, please look at the list of
members of the Energy and Commerce Committee and contact them if they are
from your area:
Link to committee members:
http://energycommerce.house.gov/108/members/members.htm

Here are the current cosponsors of the bill:
Rep Bilirakis, Michael [FL-9] - 2/9/2005
Rep Bono, Mary [CA-45] - 2/1/2005
Rep Brown, Sherrod [OH-13] - 2/1/2005
Rep Capps, Lois [CA-23] - 2/1/2005
Rep Cox, Christopher [CA-48] - 2/1/2005
Rep Crenshaw, Ander [FL-4] - 2/17/2005
Rep Dicks, Norman D. [WA-6] - 2/17/2005
Rep Doyle, Michael F. [PA-14] - 2/17/2005
Rep Engel, Eliot L. [NY-17] - 2/1/2005
Rep Eshoo, Anna G. [CA-14] - 2/1/2005
Rep Farr, Sam [CA-17] - 2/17/2005
Rep Ferguson, Mike [NJ-7] - 2/1/2005
Rep Gallegly, Elton [CA-24] - 2/1/2005
Rep Gonzalez, Charles A. [TX-20] - 2/9/2005
Rep Green, Gene [TX-29] - 2/1/2005
Rep Hastings, Alcee L. [FL-23] - 2/17/2005
Rep Hinchey, Maurice D. [NY-22] - 2/17/2005
Rep Jones, Walter B., Jr. [NC-3] - 2/17/2005
Rep Kildee, Dale E. [MI-5] - 2/17/2005
Rep King, Peter T. [NY-3] - 2/17/2005
Rep LaTourette, Steve C. [OH-14] - 2/9/2005
Rep Levin, Sander M. [MI-12] - 2/17/2005
Rep Lewis, Jerry [CA-41] - 2/17/2005
Rep Maloney, Carolyn B. [NY-14] - 2/17/2005
Rep McNulty, Michael R. [NY-21] - 2/17/2005
Rep Miller, George [CA-7] - 2/17/2005
Rep Moran, James P. [VA-8] - 2/1/2005
Rep Pallone, Frank, Jr. [NJ-6] - 2/1/2005
Rep Pitts, Joseph R. [PA-16] - 2/9/2005
Rep Rahall, Nick J., II [WV-3] - 2/9/2005
Rep Schakowsky, Janice D. [IL-9] - 2/17/2005
Rep Shays, Christopher [CT-4] - 2/1/2005
Rep Sherman, Brad [CA-27] - 2/17/2005
Rep Spratt, John M., Jr. [SC-5] - 2/1/2005
Rep Stark, Fortney Pete [CA-13] - 2/17/2005
Rep Strickland, Ted [OH-6] - 2/17/2005
Rep Towns, Edolphus [NY-10] - 2/1/2005
Rep Van Hollen, Chris [MD-8] - 2/17/2005
Rep Waxman, Henry A. [CA-30] - 2/9/2005
Rep Whitfield, Ed [KY-1] - 2/1/2005
Rep Woolsey, Lynn C. [CA-6] - 2/17/2005

Track Federal bills:
http://thomas.loc.gov <http://thomas.loc.gov/>

WILD HORSE ISSUE

As many of you are probably aware, in the appropriations bill that was
signed by President Bush recently, a provision was included that would allow
for the open auction of wild horses older than 10 years or who have been
unsuccessfully adopted out three times. The Horse Welfare Coalition does
not have a position on this but thought you would all like some information
on the subject.


The ACT

In 1971, the U.S Congress passed the Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros
Act. This Act provides for the protection, management and control of the
wild horses and burros on public ranges and is administered by the Bureau of
Land Management (BLM). Regulations related to the Act have guidelines for
the adoption of wild horses and burros requiring certain fencing and
facilities and limiting the number of wild horses and burrows a person can
adopt.


THE CURRENT SITUATION

The population of wild horses exceeds the capacity of the habitat available.
The Bureau of Land Management's adoption program been unable to find homes
for excess horses after they are rounded up and offered for adoption. Some
reports state that the health of the horses still in the wild is
deteriorating and more need to be removed and adopted out to maintain the
welfare of the herd. Approximately 36,000 horses currently occupy federal
lands that should accommodate 26,000. Additionally, 16,000 captive wild
horses are being held by the bureau in feedlot type situations of which the
government spends $465 per horse annually to provide care mounting to a cost
annually of $7.4 million per year. Many of these horses are older and
unadoptable. The current regulations regarding adoption of wild horses will
not allow an individual to adopt more than four wild horses and require
certain facilities for the horses adopted.


RECENT LEGISLATION

In 2005 Appropriations Bill:
* Allows captive wild horses to be sold at auction that:

* Have reached the age of 10 years

* Have been unsuccessfully adopted out three times.
* The funding received from these open auctions will be put back into
the Wild Horse and Burro adoption program.
The Bureau of Land Management has stated that there are 8300 horses in the
program that would currently be available for sale at open auction under
this new provision of the law.
STATUS: This provision was included in the 2005 appropriations bill that
passed and was signed by President Bush.

HR 297

Introduced by Rep. Rahall of WV and Rep. Whitfield of KY, it would restore
the original provisions that were changed in the above legislation.
STATUS: Introduced
Articles:

Revised Wild Horse Law Challenged
<http://www.pahrumpvalleytimes.com/2005/01/28/news/horselaw.html>
http://www.pahrumpvalleytimes.com/2005/01/28/news/horselaw.html

Horses fate still uncertain (NV)

<http://www.rgj.com/news/stories/html/2005/01/29/90979.php?sps=rgj.com&sch=L
ocalNews&sp1=rgj&sp2=News&sp3=Local+News&sp5=RGJ.com&sp6=news&sp7=local_news
&jsmultitag=news.rgj.com/news/local>
http://www.rgj.com/news/stories/html/2005/01/29/90979.php?sps=rgj.com&sch=Lo
calNews&sp1=rgj&sp2=News&sp3=Local+News&sp5=RGJ.com&sp6=news&sp7=local_news&
jsmultitag=news.rgj.com/news/local


STATE LEGISLATION




Connecticut HB 6413/SB 685
To prohibit the use of elephants for the purpose of entertainment by
traveling shows, theatrical exhibitions and circuses.
Links for more information:
http://www.cga.ct.gov/asp/cgabillstatus/cgabillstatus.asp?selBillType=Bill
<http://www.cga.ct.gov/asp/cgabillstatus/cgabillstatus.asp?selBillType=Bill&
bill_num=6413&which_year=2005> &bill_num=6413&which_year=2005
http://www.cga.ct.gov/asp/cgabillstatus/cgabillstatus.asp?selBillType=Bill
<http://www.cga.ct.gov/asp/cgabillstatus/cgabillstatus.asp?selBillType=Bill&
bill_num=6413&which_year=2005> &bill_num=6413&which_year=2005



Connecticut HB 5578
Encourages students to value, respect, understand and cultivate a sense of
responsibility for the health and welfare of all forms of life and the
environment.


Link for more info:

http://www.cga.ct.gov/asp/cgabillstatus/cgabillstatus.asp?selBillType=Bill
<http://www.cga.ct.gov/asp/cgabillstatus/cgabillstatus.asp?selBillType=Bill&
bill_num=5578&which_year=2005> &bill_num=5578&which_year=2005

Connecticut HB 6395
A bill to ban the slaughtering of horse for export.
Link for more info:
http://www.cga.ct.gov/asp/cgabillstatus/cgabillstatus.asp?selBillType=Bill
<http://www.cga.ct.gov/asp/cgabillstatus/cgabillstatus.asp?selBillType=Bill&
bill_num=6395&which_year=2005> &bill_num=6395&which_year=2005


Florida HB 297/SB 558

A bill to increase penalty for animal cruelty and ban the Mexican Rodeo
Event of bull tailing.
Relates to cruelty to animals; increases certain minimum mandatory fines
and periods of incarceration for certain acts of cruelty to animals;
provides that it is first-degree misdemeanor for person to intentionally
drag or fell by tail
bovine animal in organized sports exhibition; reenacts provision regarding
fighting or baiting animals, to incorporate amendment to specified provision
in reference thereto.
Link for more information:

Florida SJR 6.
A bill to change the ballot initiative process.
A constitutional amendment to require that proposed said amendment or
revision be approved by at least
three-fifths of electors of state voting on measure rather than by simple
majority.
Link for more information:


Indiana SB 562

Killing domestic animals. Makes murdering a domestic animal a nonsuspendible
Class D felony unless the killing was necessary to prevent injury to a
person, protect property, or prevent a seriously injured domestic animal
from prolonged suffering. As used in this section, "domestic animal" means a
member of the:
(1) bovine;
(2) equine;
(3) ovine;
(4) caprine;
(5) porcine;
(6) canine; or
(7) feline;
species that is not wild.
Link for more info:
http://www.in.gov/apps/lsa/session/billwatch/billinfo?year=2005
<http://www.in.gov/apps/lsa/session/billwatch/billinfo?year=2005&session=1&r
equest=getBill&docno=562#latest_info>
&session=1&request=getBill&docno=562#latest_info


Hawaii HB 202
Establishing initiative, referendum & recall in HI.
Link for more info:
http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/site1/docs/getstatus.asp?qu=hb202
<http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/site1/docs/getstatus.asp?qu=hb202&showstatus=
on&showtext=on&press1=docs> &showstatus=on&showtext=on&press1=docs

Oklahoma H.J.R. 1012 & S.J.R. 13 - Also Nebraska LR 8 - Mississippi HCR 8
Arkansas SJR 1, Indiana HJR 4, Ohio HJR 18.
Proposed amendment to the Oklahoma constitution recognizing the right to
hunt.

New Mexico Senate Memorial 1
Supports practices, programs, and research related to animal welfare;
opposes the expenditure of public funds to promote animal rights, the use of
materials that discourage the use and enjoyment of
animal products and legal prohibitions or undue restrictions of us of
animals.
Link for more information:
http://legis.state.nm.us/lcs/_session.asp?chamber=S
<http://legis.state.nm.us/lcs/_session.asp?chamber=S&type=M&number=1&year=05
> &type=M&number=1&year=05


New Mexico SB 67
Prohibits the slaughter of horses in New Mexico and the possession or
importation of horse meat for human consumption.
Link for more information:
http://legis.state.nm.us:8080/lcsbillsearch/session.jsp?year=2005R
<http://legis.state.nm.us:8080/lcsbillsearch/session.jsp?year=2005R&type=B&c
hamber=S&number=67> &type=B&chamber=S&number=67

New York A 47.
Reporting and husbandry guidelines for elephants exhibiting in NY state.
Traveling exhibitions with elephants must file an itinerary detailing the
elephant's stay with the Department of Agriculture and Markets at least 30
days before the elephant's arrival. Each failure to file an itinerary will
result in a $1,000 fine. Agents of the Department of Agriculture and Markets
are authorized to inspect the elephant's living conditions. This bill
establishes temperature and ventilation requirements for the transportation
of elephants and requires that elephants be untethered at least one hour a
day. The bill prohibits use of certain equipment upon elephants, such as
hooks and shocking devices, and prohibits elephant rides. Violations of
these provisions will constitute either a Class D or E felony.
Link to more information:
http://assembly.state.ny.us/leg/?bn=A00049

Rhode Island SB 124
Establishing the ballot initiative process.
Link for more information:
http://dirac.rilin.state.ri.us/BillStatus/WebClass1.ASP?WCI=BillStatus
<http://dirac.rilin.state.ri.us/BillStatus/WebClass1.ASP?WCI=BillStatus&WCE=
ifrmBillStatus&WCU> &WCE=ifrmBillStatus&WCU

Rhode Island HB 5356
It shall be unlawful for any person to operate, conduct or maintain any
animal circus, display or exhibition in this state.
For more information:
http://dirac.rilin.state.ri.us/BillStatus/WebClass1.ASP?WCI=BillStatus
<http://dirac.rilin.state.ri.us/BillStatus/WebClass1.ASP?WCI=BillStatus&WCE=
ifrmBillStatus&WCU> &WCE=ifrmBillStatus&WCU

Virginia SB 592
Requires instruction relating to humane treatment of animals, including
responsible pet ownership and care, to be taught in the character education
program in public schools.
Link for more information:
http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp504.exe?ses=051
<http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp504.exe?ses=051&typ=bil&val=sb952>
&typ=bil&val=sb952


Washington HB 1151/SB 5377
Regulates the keeping of dangerous wild animals.
Link for more information:
http://www.leg.wa.gov/wsladm/billinfo1/dspBillSummary.cfm?billnumber=1151
http://www.leg.wa.gov/wsladm/billinfo1/dspBillSummary.cfm?billnumber=5377