Friday, February 18, 2011

Ag Committee passes animal cruelty bill

Update: The House Agriculture Committee passed its substitute (posted below)bill for SB #2821 this morning. The committee came in, sat down, and passed it in less than two minutes. The bill now goes to House Judiciary Committee "B" for consideration.


Original post

The House Agriculture Committee took up SB#2821 yesterday, one of the two animal cruelty bills to pass the Senate. 26 committee members were present. Chairman Ward introduced a committee substitute that would create a second-offense felony for animal cruelty. The first offense would be a misdemeanor with a maximum imprisonment of six months but the fine is increased to $2,500 from the current $1,000. The bill explicitly states the law only applies to dogs and cats, not vertebrates (Got that puppy mill people over at AKC and Mississippi Canine Coalition?). The committee adjourned until today and will meet again after the close of the floor session today. However, it being Friday, there is a question whether there will be a quorum as legislators are known for taking off on Friday regardless of any hearings scheduled. If no quorum is present, then the committee will meet early next week and take up the bill.

That was the news portion of this post, now for the editorial. The discussion at the hearing was spirited at times but good. Several asked legitimate questions: "Will spanking a dog be considered an offense" and "What is domesticated?" were some of those asked. Mr. Ward ran a right ship yesterday and made it clear he wanted a bill passed out of committee. Representatives Whittington and Lane formed the subcommittee that drafted the substitute. The substitute strengthens the bill that passed the Senate by changing it from a third-offense felony to a second-offense felony. It is an improvement over current law. It is a better bill than SB#2127. The bill, as all other bills are, is not perfect but it is probably the best that could be hoped to be passed out of the committee. Several committee members wanted to adjourn so they could offer amendments. I spoke to several members after all and the sentiment was several want to tighten up some of the definitions in ways that made sense.


9 comments:

Frugal Gal said...

I'd like to hear a little more about your opinion of Rep. Ward. You think he's had an election year conversion? He's been saying odd things in the press -- I still don't get what he meant in the C-L the other day, where he said something about exeptions leading to neighbors shooting neighbors instead of neighbors shooting dogs.

Was anyone carrying MFBF's water? Was their lobbyist there?

Anonymous said...

Frugal Gal, you ask an interesting question , which brings up another question. I'm certain that FB's lobbyist was there as they have been fighting this bill for years. It is interesting, why hasn't the FB made any comment? Last year it was all they could do to fill the airwaves and print with misinformation. I'm taking an educated guess that FB and Ward are taking so much heat that they realize they have to pass a felony bill. And I'm with you on the odd remark Ward made about shooting neighbors.... the Ag Committee give farmers a bad name. Collectively they seem to have an IQ of about 78.

Frugal Gal said...

Yeah, the silence of MFB has been odd. It makes me wonder how much of their opposition in years past was ab organizational policy, and how much of it was David Waide's own bizarre, personal crusade.

The new guy at MFB supposedly had not read the bill by the end of January. Maybe he decided that all the bad PR MFB was getting simply wasn't worth it?

If it truly was Waide ONLY fueling the fire, the change in regime could be the reason why Ward let it out.

OK, now, I have this mental image of David Waide sitting in a rocking chair on a front porch somwhere, rocking intently back and forth, eyes focused on something only he can see, muttering under his breath "... make it a felony ... animal rights ... PETA ... girls stop shaving armpits ... beef good ..." or the like.

Anonymous said...

YAHOOOOOO!!!!! At least something got out of committee!!!!! Kim Wolford

Anonymous said...

I've been wondering also about not hearing from MFB on this. I called my reps at the state capitol & left a msg for them to support this bill, and I got my sister and co-worker to do the same. I don't think most people even realized that the most inhuman of cruelty to a dog or cat was only a misdemnor. Power to the people!

Anonymous said...

I wouldn't have known about this if it weren't for this site.

I and I'm sure many of your readers "dog cussed" ( sorry, couldn't resist) Farm Bureau and Waide to everyone they could. I saw Facebook postings on this bill as well.

Amazing what an informed citizenry can get done so thanks for informing us!

Anonymous said...

Nothing has been passed yet. We still need to keep contacting members of Jud B & our representatives to pass this in the House! Everyone needs to do it and let them know we want a felony bill passed and the people of MS say it is time.

Anonymous said...

If you read the bill that was passed you will see that it is very much a pro-farm bureau bill. it actually weakens current law (makes poisoning a misdemeanor instead of a felony) and changed the original language in Dearing's bill quite a bit... The only thing it did for cats and dogs in institute a 2nd offense felony, but it left huge loopholes....

The only good thing is that it advances a bill and hopefully more amendments will make it a better bill in the end...

Anonymous said...

This bill is no good. It is backed by HSUS and they aren't what everybody thinks they are. I applaud the MS Canine Coalition for their work. If this passes it will be a devistating blow to dog fanciers and breeders.


Recent Comments

Search Jackson Jambalaya

Subscribe to JJ's Youtube channel

Archives

Trollfest '09

Trollfest '07 was such a success that Jackson Jambalaya will once again host Trollfest '09. Catch this great event which will leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Othor Cain and his band, The Black Power Structure headline the night while Sonjay Poontang returns for an encore performance. Former Frank Melton bodyguard Marcus Wright makes his premier appearance at Trollfest singing "I'm a Sweet Transvestite" from "The Rocky Horror Picture Show." Kamikaze will sing his new hit, “How I sold out to da Man.” Robbie Bell again performs: “Mamas, don't let your babies grow up to be Bells” and “Any friend of Ed Peters is a friend of mine”. After the show, Ms. Bell will autograph copies of her mug shot photos. In a salute to “Dancing with the Stars”, Ms. Bell and Hinds County District Attorney Robert Smith will dance the Wango Tango.

Wrestling returns, except this time it will be a Battle Royal with Othor Cain, Ben Allen, Kim Wade, Haley Fisackerly, Alan Lange, and “Big Cat” Donna Ladd all in the ring at the same time. The Battle Royal will be in a steel cage, no time limit, no referee, and the losers must leave town. Marshand Crisler will be the honorary referee (as it gives him a title without actually having to do anything).


Meet KIM Waaaaaade at the Entergy Tent. For five pesos, Kim will sell you a chance to win a deed to a crack house on Ridgeway Street stuffed in the Howard Industries pinata. Don't worry if the pinata is beaten to shreds, as Mr. Wade has Jose, Emmanuel, and Carlos, all illegal immigrants, available as replacements for the it. Upon leaving the Entergy tent, fig leaves will be available in case Entergy literally takes everything you have as part of its Trollfest ticket price adjustment charge.

Donna Ladd of The Jackson Free Press will give several classes on learning how to write. Smearing, writing without factchecking, and reporting only one side of a story will be covered. A donation to pay their taxes will be accepted and she will be signing copies of their former federal tax liens. Ms. Ladd will give a dramatic reading of her two award-winning essays (They received The Jackson Free Press "Best Of" awards.) "Why everything is always about me" and "Why I cover murders better than anyone else in Jackson".

In the spirit of helping those who are less fortunate, Trollfest '09 adopts a cause for which a portion of the proceeds and donations will be donated: Keeping Frank Melton in his home. The “Keep Frank Melton From Being Homeless” booth will sell chances for five dollars to pin the tail on the jackass. John Reeves has graciously volunteered to be the jackass for this honorable excursion into saving Frank's ass. What's an ass between two friends after all? If Mr. Reeves is unable to um, perform, Speaker Billy McCoy has also volunteered as when the word “jackass” was mentioned he immediately ran as fast as he could to sign up.


In order to help clean up the legal profession, Adam Kilgore of the Mississippi Bar will be giving away free, round-trip plane tickets to the North Pole where they keep their bar complaint forms (which are NOT available online). If you don't want to go to the North Pole, you can enjoy Brant Brantley's (of the Mississippi Commission on Judicial Performance) free guided tours of the quicksand field over by High Street where all complaints against judges disappear. If for some reason you are unable to control yourself, never fear; Judge Houston Patton will operate his jail where no lawyers are needed or allowed as you just sit there for minutes... hours.... months...years until he decides he is tired of you sitting in his jail. Do not think Judge Patton is a bad judge however as he plans to serve free Mad Dog 20/20 to all inmates.

Trollfest '09 is a pet-friendly event as well. Feel free to bring your dog with you and do not worry if your pet gets hungry, as employees of the Jackson Zoo will be on hand to provide some of their animals as food when it gets to be feeding time for your little loved one.

Relax at the Fox News Tent. Since there are only three blonde reporters in Jackson (being blonde is a requirement for working at Fox News), Megan and Kathryn from WAPT and Wendy from WLBT will be on loan to Fox. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both and a torn-up Obama yard sign will entitle you to free drinks served by Megan, Wendy, and Kathryn. Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required. Just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '09 is for EVERYONE!!!

This is definitely a Beaver production.


Note: Security provided by INS.

Trollfest '07

Jackson Jambalaya is the home of Trollfest '07. Catch this great event which promises to leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Sonjay Poontang and his band headline the night with a special steel cage, no time limit "loser must leave town" bout between Alan Lange and "Big Cat"Donna Ladd following afterwards. Kamikaze will perform his new song F*** Bush, he's still a _____. Did I mention there was no referee? Dr. Heddy Matthias and Lori Gregory will face off in the undercard dueling with dangling participles and other um, devices. Robbie Bell will perform Her two latest songs: My Best Friends are in the Media and Mama's, Don't Let Your Babies Grow up to be George Bell. Sid Salter of The Clarion-Ledger will host "Pin the Tail on the Trial Lawyer", sponsored by State Farm.

There will be a hugging booth where in exchange for your young son, Frank Melton will give you a loooong hug. Trollfest will have a dunking booth where Muhammed the terrorist will curse you to Allah as you try to hit a target that will drop him into a vat of pig grease. However, in the true spirit of Separate But Equal, Don Imus and someone from NE Jackson will also sit in the dunking booth for an equal amount of time. Tom Head will give a reading for two hours on why he can't figure out who the hell he is. Cliff Cargill will give lessons with his .80 caliber desert eagle, using Frank Melton photos as targets. Tackleberry will be on hand for an autograph session. KIM Waaaaaade will be passing out free titles and deeds to crackhouses formerly owned by The Wood Street Players.

If you get tired come relax at the Fox News Tent. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both will entitle you to free drinks.Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required, just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '07 is for EVERYONE!!!

This is definitely a Beaver production.

Note: Security provided by INS
.