SCR 16 has passed Senate Natural Resources Committee with amendments to mirror HCR 6 by Rep. Bishop, whick means Zoo of Acadiana is exempt from all rules and regulations of W&F so long as they meet requirements of the American Zoological Association, and all mention of the Zoological Association of America was deleted.

HB 557 was passed favorably.  Citizens are allowed to shoot day or night, whether on their property or not; residents are encouraged to take care of their own problems.  Sen. Chaubert (Houma) was very much in favor of shooting from helicopters (as they do in Texas), as well as the use of primitive firearms, and Sen. Morrish (Jennings) was very much in favor of the ability to shoot from ultra light planes (as they do in Texas).  Our "enlightened wannabecowboys" elected officials at work.   

SCR 16 and HCR 6 - Specifies accreditation requirements for exemption from Wildlife and Fisheries Commission rules governing possession of exotic cats.
Ask them NOT to pass favorably unless ALL mention of the Zoological Association of America is REMOVED from the bill, as it reads in Rep. Bishop's bill, HCR 6, that was passed through the House.
 
HB 557 - Proposed law retains present law except authorizes such rules and regulations for trapping without a special permit to apply to trapping all outlaw quadrupeds, which include coyotes, armadillos and feral hogs.
Ask them to OPPOSE this bill.  This bill will allow anyone to set traps for quadrupeds; will not need a special permit from Wildlife and Fisheries, thus eliminating fees trappers should be paying to fund W&F...not non-trapping taxpayers.  They could also be potentially trapping domestic and roaming pets and/or ferals. 
  
Please email ALL committee members:  Senator Gerald Long (Chairman)

longg@legis.la.gov
wardr@legis.la.gov
allainb@legis.la.gov
amedeej@legis.la.gov
chabertn@legis.la.gov
morrelljp@legis.la.gov
morrishd@legis.la.gov
cortezp@legis.la.gov

What's the best way to deal with coyotes?

www.nola.com

Take our poll

 

"WE NEED SOME HELP HERE: Can you please take a moment out of your busy evening to click the "Other" box on this poll and enter the words "Aggressively Haze Them To Keep Them Wild" so we can combat the usual stance of "choot 'em" which simply doesn't work with coyote? Thanks!!!"

Thanks for writing.  It should be noted that the Forest Service’s decision to ban dog deer hunting is still currently moving forward.  The Senate would need to consider the House passed version of the bill with the Fleming amendment, which is unlikely but possible, and then the President would have to sign it. 

I think reaching out to Rep. Fleming’s office here in DC, especially if you live in his district, is important.  You can give them a call at 202-225-2777 and politely tell the staffer who answers the phone that as a resident of Louisiana, you are disappointed with his amendment to overturn the Forest Service’s decision for the Kisatchie National Forest.  If you are a constituent in his district, be sure to let them know that.  Feel free to let them know why you support the ban.  Rep. Fleming characterized the Forest Service’s decision as not something the local community wanted and something made by an out of state “bureaucrat.”  You and I know that’s not the case, so it’s important that he hears from the community who support the Forest Service. 

Also, feel free to contact Senators Vitter and Landrieu as well, and tell them you support the Forest Service’s actions.  You can call the Capitol switchboard at (202) 224-3121. An operator will connect you directly with the Senate office you request. Thanks for your interest and help on this issue.  

Thanks,Andrew   
Andrew Binovi
Federal Legislative Manager
Government Relations
The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals

Hello,

I just wanted to give a quick update from Washington DC on the Forest Service’s attempts to prohibit dog deer hunting on the Kisatchie National Forest in Louisiana.  Yesterday, the U.S. House of Representatives considered H.R. 4089, the “Sportsmen's Heritage Act of 2012.” When the bill came to the floor, Rep. John Fleming (R-LA) offered an amendment that explicitly forbids the Forest Service from restricting dog deer hunting on the KNF unless the prohibition applies to “the smallest practicable portions” of land and “is necessary to reduce or control trespass onto land adjacent” to the area where it is prohibited.  This amendment would essentially overturn the Forest Service’s decision and would ignore the comments from hundreds of advocates in Louisiana who support the ban.

On the House floor, Rep. Fleming mischaracterized the decision to ban dog deer hunting on the KNF as a decision made by an “out-of-touch bureaucrat” in Atlanta (where the Regional Forester is located) instead of the reality;  this decision was made with the input and support of the local community.  

The ASPCA quickly mobilized to try to build opposition for Rep. Fleming’s amendment.  However, the amendment eventually passed by a voice vote, with the final bill passing on a vote of 274-146.

In order to overturn the Forest Service’s decision, this amendment would still need to be considered and passed by the Senate and signed by the President.  It is unlikely that the bill passed by the House yesterday would pass the Senate, or even come to the floor.  However, a similar amendment could be snuck into another piece of legislation at some point that the Senate could be considering.  The ASPCA will continue to support the Forest Service’s decision and the local community’s wishes to protect dogs by prohibiting dog deer hunting on the KNF.  

Thanks again to all for your help on this important issue.  Please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions on this or any other issue that we can be of assistance with to help animals in Louisiana. 

Andrew Binovi
Federal Legislative Manager
Government Relations
The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals

andrew.binovi@aspca.org
Office:  202-621-7955
Mobile:  202-494-4095
Fax:  202-621-7647

PLEASE CROSS POST.  PEOPLE ARE ASKING TO SEE THE DOCUMENTS BRIAN LeBOURGEOIS PRESENTED TO THE CITY OF KENNER COUNCIL. PLEASE TAKE OPPORTUNITY TO REVIEW AND SEND YOUR COMMENTS TO BRIAN. YOUR HELP IS NEEDED. PLEASE READ MORE BELOW.
Contact: Brian F. LeBourgeois bfl@llynk.com 504-598-1455 ·      

Purpose: Brian F. LeBourgeois is a concerned citizen and animal advocate who is organizing a plan to request the City of Kenner better protect feral cats and remove the feeding ban as well as address other grievances concerning animal issues in Kenner .·      

Solution/Document Delivery Attached two documents are being delivered to the Council. For those of you who already circulated the attachments, these are re-saved in .doc format which more people can access.·      

Documents Attached for Your Review and Comments: Please read Brian’s letter to the City of Kenner Council addressing the issues and a proposed ordinance amendment to revise the existing Kenner ordinance. Please review proposed ordinance and letter and send Brian your suggestions and comments. The underlined portions in the ordinance amendment are the proposed revisions.·      

Participate: Your help is now needed to write letters to the Council and show up at the Council meetings asking that the feeding ban be lifted and protection for feral cats be put in place in Kenner . Please e-mail, call, fax, or mail letters asking for these changes. Link to web site for Council contacts: http://www.kenner.la.us/pages/section_56_186.asp  ·      

Attend/Speak: Council meetings are held on the 1st and 3rd Thurs. at 5 pm, at 1801 Williams Blvd. , Building B, 3rd floor, Kenner . If you can attend or speak about feral cats and any animal-related concerns, please inform Brian.·      

Comment: A FaceBook page was set up to post any photos of Kenner traps, no feeding signs, and any stories and comments about problems with Kenner animal laws:http://www.facebook.com/pages/Stop-Animal-Cruelty-in-Kenner/209596255817648?ref=tn_tnmn

PLEASE contact Brian directly regarding his attachments; unable to attach here, and forward to any and all your Kenner contacts and friends.

This bill was voluntarily deferred by Rep. Ligi; didn't have the votes to pass...committee would've killed it.  Received lots of emails from AKC and other supporters of AKC.  By doing this, he will be able to work on amendments and re-submit during this session, so it's not over yet.  And no, we do not exactly know what the amendments will be.  You will know as soon as we do.  Stay vigil.

HB231 - to ban sales of dogs and cats on public roadways has passed the House Floor..now on to the Senate!

 On
Thursday, April 12, 2012, (assuming 9:00 am)
Committee Room 3
              
HB 163 will be heard by the Ag and Forestry Committee.  The AKC is planning a vigorous attack on this bill so it's important the committee hear from many.  Please contact them on or before this date to move this bill out of committee in a favorable way, and request that the number of breeding animals be reduced from 75.  Representative Ligi, author of this bill, has been an wonderful advocate of and for animal welfare/protection bills, and needs to know we support his efforts.  PLEASE CROSS-POST to all your rescue contacts in Louisiana.
 
Important Note:  To make communication more convenient and efficient, it has been suggested by a Committee Chairman that when emailing a committee, ALL members be contacted.   So in order to help make more of an impact and easier for all to comply, we have included a list of all members' email addresses below for your use.
 
Committee Chairman is Rep. Andy Anders:       larep021@legis.la.gov
Email members by copying and pasting addresses below; address to Rep. Anders, Chairman, and all members.
 
larep021@legis.la.gov, hensgensb@legis.la.gov, burfordr@legis.la.gov, burnsh@legis.la.gov, carmodyt@legis.la.gov, champags@legis.la.gov, chaneyb@legis.la.gov, gisclairj@legis.la.gov, guinnj@legis.la.gov, hazelc@legis.la.gov, hilld@legis.la.gov, howardf@legis.la.gov, huvalm@legis.la.gov, jacksonk@legis.la.gov, johnsoro@legis.la.gov, landryt@legis.la.gov, lebasb@legis.la.gov, pylants@legis.la.gov, thibautm@legis.la.gov, larep036@legis.la.gov, legerw@legis.la.gov

ON
Tuesday, April 10th., Committee Room 3 at 9:00 am

 
HB 676 - Prohibits the transportation of domestic animals in pickup truck beds and utility trailer on certain roadways unless safely crated.
 
will be heard before the House Transportation Committee.  Please contact the Chairman and members on or before this date to get this bill onto the House Floor for a full vote.  PLEASE CROSS-POST! to all your dog-loving friends.  Rep. St. Germain is the legislator who introduced the anti-tethering bill in 2010 so she may be very receptive to this bill.  Let's let her know how we feel.
 
Important Note:  To make communication more convenient and efficient, it has been suggested by a Committee Chairman that when emailing a committee, ALL members be contacted.   So in order to help make more of an impact and easier for all to comply, we have included a list of all members' email addresses below for your use.
 
To emal Rep. Karen St. Germain, Chairperson:           larep060@legis.la.gov
 
Email members by copying and pasting addresses below:                           
 
larep060@legis.la.gov,
larep100@legis.la.gov,
browntr@legis.la.gov,
franklina@legis.la.gov,
gisclairj@legis.la.gov,
guinnj@legis.la.gov,
hilld@legis.la.gov,
hodgesv@legis.la.gov,
honored@legis.la.gov,
howardf@legis.la.gov,
joness@legis.la.gov,
landryt@legis.la.gov,
lebasb@legis.la.gov,
leopoldc@legis.la.gov,
macks@legis.la.gov,
nortonb@legis.la.gov,
pylants@legis.la.gov,
richardj@legis.la.gov,
richardc@legis.la.gov,
larep036@legis.la.gov,
legerw@legis.la.gov

http://hsus.typepad.com/wayne/2012/04/holly-reynolds-advocate.html

FYI - HCR6 was passed favorably this morning by the House Natural Resources Committee, with an amendment deleting any mention of the Zoological Association of America (ZAA), which amendment was approved by HSUS and Wildlife and Fisheries. This bill was specifically to exempt the Zoo of Acadiana in Broussard from Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) accreditation.  Although the Zoo of Acadiana claims to meet all standards and requirements of the AZA and Wildlife and Fisheries for enclosures of big cats, the Zoo of Acadiana wanted an exemption from their accreditation because, among other things, it is too costly.  Senator Cortez appeared at the hearing with Rep. Bishop and stated that his bill, SCR16 would not be moving further.