We have 18 million AR supporters, vs. NRA's 3 million
members -- there's no reason *we* can't mobilize to FINALLY get rid of
these torture chamber traps.
WE NEED TO MOVE THESE BILLS OUT OF COMMITTEE AND OBTAIN
CO-SPONSORS TO CHAMPION THEM FORWARD! PLEASE SCHEDULE TIME with YOUR
U.S. Senator's and U.S. Representatives' local office staff to make a
short presentation on the realities of steel jaw traps and what they
really do to animals.
(This would also be a great time to briefly educate
staffers on the various issues facing issues and the voters' concerns
about them.) Photos and materials can be obtained through:
PETA at: http://www.peta-online.org/mc/facts/index.html
or the HSUS at: http://www.hsus.org/programs/government/trapfacts.html
and the Animal Protection Institute at: http://www.apiforanimals.org/default.asp?ID=91
PETA is working on adding video clips to their site so eventually you
can also e-mail your Senators and Representatives graphic footage of
what these traps really mean to animals. There's no excuse for such
cruelty and placing these traps on our federal lands.
PLEASE ALSO CALL AND WRITE YOUR U.S. Congresspersons and
ASK EVERYONE YOU KNOW TO ALSO CALL/WRITE.
Co-Sponsorship Needed for H.R. 1581 and S. 1006
Source: API at: http://www.apiforanimals.org
These bills have been "in Committee" for years now. We
need our Senators & Rep's to co-sponsor them and MOVE THEM FORWARD!
H.R. 1581 and S. 1006, known as the Steel Jaw Leghold
Trap Prohibition Act, were recently introduced in the 106th Congress.
The House version was introduced by Representative Nita Lowey (D-NY) and
the Senate version was introduced by Senator Robert Torricelli (D-NJ).
This bill would place several restrictions on the use of leghold traps
and would specifically prohibit the shipment in interstate or foreign
commerce of steel jaw leghold traps and of articles of fur derived from
animals captured in such traps. The bill prescribes criminal penalties
for violations of this act and directs the Secretary of Interior to
reward non-governmental informers for information leading to conviction
under this act.
The House bill currently has 72 co-sponsors and been
referred to the Committee on Commerce, the Ways and Means Committee, the
International Relations Committee, and the Judiciary Committee. The
Senate bill currently has 5 co-sponsors and has been referred to the
Committee on Environment and Public Works.
Please write your U.S. Representative and your two U.S.
Senators and urge them to support and co-sponsor the Steel Jaw Leghold
Trap Ban (H.R. 1581 / S. 1006). Your own words are better, but you may
use API's sample letters (H.R. 1581 and S. 1006) as a guideline.
Points you may wish to include in your call, letter
and/or e-mail:
~ Leghold traps have been banned in over 80 countries
and restricted or banned in seven states.
~ Leghold traps are indiscriminate. For every "target" animal trapped,
at least two other "non target" animals, including dogs and cats, are
trapped.
~ Leghold traps cause extreme pain and suffering to their victims.
Animals caught in leghold traps can endure fractures, ripped tendons,
edema, blood loss, amputations, and starvation.
~ A national poll conducted in November 1996 showed that 74% of
Americans believe leghold traps should be banned.
You can also be brief and simply state to your Senator:
Co-Sponsor S. 1006.
You can also be brief and simply state to your
Representative: Co-Sponsor H.R. 1581.
To find out who your Senators are, go to: http://www.senate.gov
To find out who your Rep's are, go to: http://www.house.gov
Direct your letters, calls and/or e-mails to:
The Honorable [Full Name]
U.S. House of Representatives
Washington, DC 20515
The Honorable [Full Name]
U.S. Senate
Washington, DC 20510
PLEASE ALSO TRY SOMETIME THIS YEAR TO SCHEDULE A
15-MINUTE FACE-TO-FACE MEETING TIME WITH YOUR CONGRESSPERSONS' LOCAL
STAFF. If you need help in planning such a meeting, send me an e-mail
at: [email protected] and I will put you in touch with someone who
can help provide you with materials and suggestions. WE CAN DO THIS FOR
THE ANIMALS: IF NOT US, WHO WILL?
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