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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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State
Rep. Lisa Bennington |
  
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Bennington amendment to strengthen animal cruelty bill
HARRISBURG, June 17 – State Rep. Lisa Bennington, D-Allegheny, has introduced an amendment intended to strengthen an animal cruelty bill awaiting a vote in the state House Judiciary Committee.
House Bill 2532 would require certain types of procedures on dogs to be performed by a licensed veterinarian and not by pet owners. Bennington's proposal would prohibit many current procedures from being performed at all, and would protect animals of all types, such as chickens, turkeys, pigs and cows.
"My amendment attempts to remedy the horrors of factory farming that exist in Pennsylvania every day," Bennington said. "While I hope that Pennsylvania residents care for all animals and not just dogs and cats, I know that as long as animals 'taste good' people will chose to be blind to their immeasurable suffering."
Bennington's bill would restrict:
· hot metal branding;
· small crating;
· de-beaking;
· cutting of ear notches as a means of identification;
· fully conscious boiling as a means of slaughtering an animal for consumption;
· artificial impregnation; and
· all potentially painful procedures performed without anesthesia.
"I agree that these procedures should, under no circumstance, be performed by unskilled and unqualified individuals," Bennington said. "But I also think there are certain procedures that are not necessary and are extremely cruel to carry out on any animal, pet or not. I want to see these barbaric practices stopped, and my amendment would ensure that happens."
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CONTACT: Jean Allegrini |