This is an action diary particularly focused on the proposed New York "Oreo's Law". If you are NOT a New Yorker (as I am not), we still need your help. Everyone can help, and this is timely. Your timely action can absolutely save lives.
In short, there is pending legislation (that could be shelved if people don't get involved immediately) quite similar to California's Hayden Law legislation that requires New York shelters to work with and offer to any qualified animal rescue any shelter animal that is on the euthanasia list (vicious dogs and some others not included). Currently, this is neither law or taking place in many New York Shelters and as a result, tens of thousands of dogs/cats are being needlessly killed.
As a Californian in rescue for over 30 years and having worked under California's Hayden legislation now for almost 12 years (New York's legislation is very, very similar to what is called the Hayden Law), I can personally assure you that it works. It saves money AND it saves lives. I know. I have rescued several thousand animals in California under the Hayden law, 600 in six months from the Kern County shelters alone.
Who Can Help
- Anyone that has adopted a dog/cat/horse etc. from a private or public rescue (e.g. a private rescue like myself, or a local ASPCA which works in cooperation with a local shelter taking the pets the shelter cannot otherwise place) regardless of the state you are in.
- Rescues (whether a non-profit or not) regardless of the state you are in.
- Rescue volunteers regardless of the state you are in.
- People working at/volunteering for a shelter in any state that has a program to work/cooperate with rescues whether either voluntarily or as codified by state/local law regardless of the state you are in.
- Humane workers/officers regardless of the state you are in.
- Veterinarians, veterinary technicians etc. regardless of the state you are in.
- Everyone else, everywhere!
- New Yorkers, you, in particular, need to write.
Why The Urgency?
On Tuesday, Oreo’s Law will be voted on by the New York State (NYS) Assembly Agriculture Committee. But it is not likely to pass without a large showing of community support between now and then. That is because the Committee Chairman is recommending a "hold," the equivalent of being tabled, which would mean Oreo’s Law would die in committee, despite the fact that it has legislative cosponsors across the state and supporters outnumber the opposition.
Who Was Oreo and Why This Legislation?
Oreo was a dog thrown from a six-story Brooklyn, NY rooftop, rescued by the ASPCA with two broken legs and a broken rib, then killed by the same ASPCA when she "began to show aggression" and despite an offer from an experienced rescue group to take the dog and rehabilitate her OR sanctuary her for life should the rehabilitation be unsuccessful.
According to the No Kill Advocacy Center, "[T]he ASPCA has refused to release the videotapes of Oreo's temperament testing (see page one, bottom)."
Soon after Oreo lay dead at the ASPCA, the same ASPCA killed another dog in a similar situation, Max.
As you are likely aware, there are many groups in the US that specialize in aggressive dog rehabilitation (regardless of breed) and, in fact, the Michael Vick fighting pitbulls were originally to be executed until groups stepped in. Later, The New York Times covered the story as did the online CNN Sports Illustrated which has an excellent article.
In the end, only one of the Michael Vick dogs was euthanized for behavior. One more was euthanized for medical reasons. The remainder have been in excellent rehab programs across the US and many are now in loving homes. Vick's champion fighter is at Best Friends in sanctuary for life, as ordered by the court.
Oreo and Max are not isolated incidents. Nor is Oreo's Law about pit bulls or any other breed. It is about saving all animals. In fact, NYS shelters routinely turn away rescue groups and then turn around and kill the kittens and cats, puppies, dog, rabbits and other animals those rescue groups are willing to save. A statewide survey of rescue groups found that 72% of rescue groups reported being denied animals, and 71% reported shelters turned around and killed those animals. The statewide survey also found that 43% of rescue groups that have expressed concerns about inhumane conditions which they have witnessed in NYS sheters have been the subject of retaliation, while over half (52%) who have witnessed cruelty and neglect at the shelter did not express concerns because they were afraid they would no longer be allowed to resuce, this allowing those inhumane conditions to continue. Oreo's Law would stop unnecessary killing and unnecessary neglect rampant in NYS shelters. [source here]
Here is the text of Oreo's Law. [Note: The text of the law has been amended and now most opposing the law now support it.]
Here is an explanation of Oreo's Law and experience with California's law by a law professor from UCLA. [Note: I was personally involved in the first litigation under the Hayden and companion Vincent laws in California (Lock v. Kern County 2004). The litigation was successful. You can see charts on the effects of the litigation which forced the county into working with rescues, here. If you would like to see pie charts instead, look to the lefthand menu. These charts were done based on the raw data from this county's shelter obtained through California's Open Records Act laws. Certain causes of action within the suit were voluntarily complied with, including Kern's beginning to work for the first time with rescue groups despite the law being in place for five years. And note that in some years, rescue surpasses or equals adoption rates.]
Here is a Q&A about the law.
Taking Action...This is made VERY Simple!
- For those of you in New York, here is a hotlinked list of legislators. Please contact your legislators by telephone AND send an e-mail.
- Pets Alive, the Middletown NY organization that offered to take Oreo but was refused, has a super nifty device where you can send a letter to EVERY legislator involved in one easy lettter! Go here and page down to the letter.
- Looking for a sample letter to help you along? Here is a sample letter. If you are in rescue or have more detailed or specific information, please include it. Please keep your letters polite and to the point.
I am writing to ask you to support Oreo’s Law (A. 9449/S. 6412), legislation which will help save the lives of animals in New York State shelters and save taxpayer money.
The law would make it illegal for an animal shelter to kill a healthy or treatable animal if a qualified rescue group is willing to save the animal’s life by taking the animal into its own adoption program. It makes no sense for shelters to kill animals at taxpayer expense, when private organizations are willing to save the animal’s life, using private philanthropy. The law would promote a public-private partnership that saves both animal lives and taxpayer dollars.
The legislation contains significant protections against the release of dangerous dogs, animals who are suffering, and animals who pose a threat of rabies. It also contains protections to ensure the quality of the rescue organization.
It is based on similar California legislation which has been in effect for over ten years and saves thousands of lives every year in that state. That legislation passed with overwhelming bipartisan support.
On behalf of the taxpayers, the animals, and the people of New York who care about them, I urge you to vote yes when it comes before you for a vote.
Sincerely,
Please write today! The legislation is scheduled to be heard on Tuesday.
Whether a cat, dog or other animal lover--or just one who feels this legislation is not only reasonable but morally and economically superior to the current laws--I urge you to write.
Thanks, everyone, for all you do.