Randy Gaebe, Bowman
I am writing to encourage other voters to vote no on Measure 5, the proposed "Animal Cruelty" ballot initiative. Please carefully consider the negative impacts this measure could have. At first glance, the language of this measure appears to be OK. However, there's an underlying plan by the measure's main promoter, the Humane Society of the United States. The first sentence of Measure 5 states that it would create a new section of the N.D. Century Code. Measure 5 promoters have publicly said they worded it to be something "passable" and that they intend to "add to it later."
The long range intentions of the HSUS are not as well meaning as they would like everyone to think. This is a group that raises money on the backs of puppies and kitties, but contributes less than one percent of its budget to actual pet shelters. It is an animal rights activist group whose employees have stated that their goals are to "abolish animal agriculture." They've also attacked hunting, trapping and rodeos, among other things.
There is a growing group of North Dakota-based agriculture organizations, veterinarians, sportsmen, pet owners, and others who have joined together to oppose Measure 5. This group, called North Dakota Animal Stewards, will go beyond that by encouraging the development of sensible laws governing animal cruelty. Such laws will have the opportunity to be discussed and debated during the legislative process before being passed.
The citizens of North Dakota should shape animal care laws in North Dakota, not the leaders of out-of-state activist groups.