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Support Tiko's Bill--Contact Your Indiana Legislator Today

February 12, 2009, 2:16PM MT

By Stacy Rogers

Yesterday, Indiana made a huge step forward in its fight against puppy mills and now it is time for you to do your part for those who cannot speak for themselves. Contact your legislator today and ask them to vote YES for House Bill 1468.

H.B. 1468 the Anti-Cruelty and Puppy Mill Bill, also known as Tiko's Bill, is moving forward to the Indiana House of Representatives next week after passing committee yesterday. This bill, named for a puppy mill survivor from a northern Indiana mill, not only strengthens our anti-cruelty legislation, it also will fight puppy mills.

A few highlights of this bill include requiring that shelter be provided for all pets. No longer will a dog be allowed to freeze to death while chained outside and no action be taken against the owner because food and water were provided while it froze. It will also require breeder registration for those producing a certain number of litters per year, require exercise, and require that animals not be kept on wire cage bottoms. If you would like to read the entire bill click here.

This bill is not without opposition. For it to pass the House of Representatives next week we need the support of all Hoosiers. It is vital that you contact your legislators as soon as possible. Hand written letters are the most effective means of influencing your legislator, but emails are also needed. If you're unaware of your legislator please visit www.in.gov to find out who is representing you in this important vote.

Tips for writing your letter:

Be polite
Be respectful
Explain what puppy mills are and why you support this measure
Add any personal experiences you have had with puppy mills or animal cruelty

Together we make a difference for all those animals like Tiko.

Story written by Stacy Rogers, Best Friends Network volunteer
Photo courtesy of www.petshoppuppies.org

**Best Friends Animal Society has not taken a position of support or opposition to this piece of legislation. For more information on how animal legislation is reported on the Best Friends Network, click here.

Comments

Posted April 22, 2009, 10:48AM by KangkaT

Here in Indiana we can use all the help we can get to stop the puppy mills. Please help us by emailing our politicians (email addresses are listed below). They are trying to water this bill down so it will do little to help these poor animals. Your emails will help so much and you don't have to be from Indiana...just show them we are all aware in this country and we are watching...thanks so much. Below is a letter I recieve from our local humane society.

Greetings from Michiana Humane Society

Please find below a letter received today from Representative Lawson. I hope you will take action on her request to contact the "players" in Indy thus reinstating the original language to stop puppy mills in Indiana. The version out of the Senate is not worth the vote as it is very watered down.

Thanks on behalf of the animals.

Gail Marsh
----- Original Message -----
From: "State Representative Linda Lawson" <H1@in.gov>
To: <humane@csinet.net>
Sent: Monday, April 20, 2009 1:26 PM
Subject: HB 1468 needs your help

>
>
> Dear Friends,
>
> I cannot thank you enough for supporting House Bill 1468, the animal cruelty and puppy mill bill. Your help and support have been crucial in this process. I could not have gotten this far without you.
>
> For all of you who love your animals and care about the treatment of dogs and cats in Indiana, I ask for your assistance in this final stretch. I cannot do this alone and we have very little time to accomplish our goals.
>
> On April 16, I set up a meeting with Governor Daniels' staff to discuss House Bill 1468. It was quickly apparent that the opposition is strong and determined to kill the bill. The amended Senate language has removed the necessary tools to protect dogs in Indiana.
>
> Less than a week remains to save this legislation and those dogs who need our protection. We need you, your friends, your family, and everyone you know to contact the individuals listed below. Please tell them, "Support the HB 1468 version as it passed out of the House."
>
> Governor Mitch Daniels
> 200 W. Washington Street
> Indianapolis, IN 46204
> 317-232-4567
> mdaniels@gov.in.gov
>
> Senator Brent Steele
> 317-232-9400
> S44@in.gov
>
> Senator Teresa Lubbers
> 317-232-9400
> S30@in.gov
>
> Senator Joe Zakas
> 317-232-9400
> S11@in.gov
>
> Senator Jim Merritt
> 317-232-9400
> S31@in.gov
>
> Senator Tim Lanane
> 317-232-9400
> S25@in.gov
>
> We also need your attendance at a public news conference at noon at the Statehouse (eastside - Capital St.) on Thursday, April 23. The purpose will be to update the media about the status of the bill in conference committee and send a message to the governor and legislators that this is an issue of critical concern to the citizens of Indiana.
>
> I sincerely appreciate your support. Together we can succeed.
>
> Sincerely,
>
>
>
> Rep. Linda Lawson
> 1-317-232-0243
> 1-800-382-9842
>
>