4/18/06: March/Hearing - Tears, Signs, Stories & Senators
Feedback and Press:
April 17 People & Pets March to Louisiana State Capitol
April 18 Senate Hearing, SB-607 Pet Evacuation Bill

IN THIS ALERT:
1. Press Coverage
2. John Bozes, Senate Hearing Testimonial. Angel Girl's Story...
3. Feedback From People & Pets March Organizer
4. LA Residents: Talk To Your Legislators About SB-607
5. More LA Animal Legislation: HB-1146 Covers Birds Under Cruelty Statutes

1. Press Coverage
Price tag unknown for pet evacuation plan
WWL-TV.com, Associated Press, 4/18/06
http://www.wwltv.com/local/stories/wwl041806jbpets.4a806609.html
VIDEO: http://www.wwltv.com/sharedcontent/VideoPlayer/videoPlayer.php?vidId=60321&catId=53

Pet-evacuation bill debated today
The Advocate 4/18/06
http://www.2theadvocate.com/news/police/2650101.html

La. to consider pets in its emergency plans
The Shreveport Times 4/18/06
http://www.shreveporttimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060418/NEWS01/604180323

Get animals out of town too, bill suggests
Legislation would provide a place for pets during an evacuation
The Times-Picayune, 4/18/06
http://www.nola.com/news/t-p/frontpage/index.ssf?/base/news-5/114533975567660.xml

Pet Evacuation Plan Proposed by Lawmakers
News Channel 6 KTAL-TV
http://www.newschannel6.tv/news/default.asp?mode=shownews&id=10721

Pet law could help in escape, Corsicana Daily Sun, 4/13/06
http://www.corsicanadailysun.com/siteSearch/apstorysection/local_story_103095439.html

Save Our Pets presents a March of People & Their Pets to the steps of the
State Capitol - 4/17
WWOZ 90.7 FM, 4/10/06
http://www.wwoz.org/news/news146.php

Katrina pet owner evacuees: Louisiana needs your support
KHOU 11 News, 4/4/06
http://www.beloblog.com/KHOU_Animal_Attraction/archives/2006/04/katrina_pet_own.html

2. John Bozes, Senate Hearing Testimonial
Angel Girl's Story...
From: Willow Lu, willowlu@gmail.com

Good afternoon Senators and citizens.

My name is John Bozes. I am a former resident of the now devastated St. Bernard Parish, Louisiana and I am here to ask you to pass the Pet Evacuation Bill so that when there is another disaster, our pets can travel safely with us to designated shelters and not be left behind to perish because of lack of proper emergency planning.

On August 29, 2005, Hurricane Katrina destroyed Southeast Louisiana turning St. Bernard Parish into a waterlogged marshland. A very large percentage of our residents did not evacuate to shelters outside the parish because we did not want to leave our pets behind and we were told we could not evacuate with them.

To give you a brief background of my medical situation at the time, I had just been released from the hospital and couldn't drive because of my medical condition. The other occupant of my home, my elderly father, is no longer licensed to drive. I had been disabled for three months and was without the income to even fill my vehicle with gasoline, let alone charter a vehicle to transport my family and pets. Obviously, public transportation was not a pet-friendly option. Later I came to find that although some generous gas companies were offering free fuel, this was not widely known nor broadcast through the media. This was simply not a known alternative that I was aware of. It seems that this was yet another flaw of the emergency broadcast system.

My 2 and 1/2 year old black lab, Angel Girl, was a hero who saved the lives of myself and my family. If she had not woken me from my sleep, my family would've drowned. The water was over the roof when she led us out the door.

After the levee breach, my father, sister and my nephew's girlfriend were rescued from the roof of our home in Violet, LA by boat thanks to brave St. Bernard residents who took us to the school evacuation shelter at St. Bernard High School. My brother-in-law and nephew stayed behind with four dogs and eight birds.

That Tuesday night, my brother-in-law, Gene, and his son, Robert Christopher, along with our family's four dogs: Angel Girl, Bullet, Daisy, and Honey were transported by boat to PGT Beauregard Middle School. Gene saw other dogs and cats at that school and thought that was where all the pets were being safely kept until the water went down. The next day, Wednesday,

St. Bernard Sheriffs Office Deputies ordered everyone to leave the school. We were forbidden from taking our pets with us. When we asked about our pets, a St. Bernard Sheriffs Office Deputy assured us "your pets will be rescued." To ensure their safety, I wrote a note on the wall of the school pleading for Angel's safekeeping. I wrote "she is a good girl." Others wrote similar messages, indicating our home addresses and contact information in the hope that the Deputy's word would be kept and our pets would be transported to animal rescue authorities.

One week after Hurricane Rita, my sister, Carol, her family, and I were in a hotel after evacuating again due to Hurricane Rita. I received a phone call from a dear friend that was searching for Angel advising me to watch the CNN broadcast news that evening at 10:00 pm. We turned on the TV and witnessed Anderson Cooper break the story entitled "Dog Killings at Three St. Bernard Parish Schools." The first room the camera crew entered and filmed was room 203 at PGT Beauregard Middle School. What we observed was beyond devastating. They camera followed as rescue teams opened the door, showing the first dog, my sister's husky mix, Bullet. Bullet had not been rescued as promised. Bullet was dead. In the next room, the camera showed my Angel Girl and Honey, also shot to death.

The following Saturday, my sister Carol, her husband, Gene Hamm, and myself drove back to St. Bernard parish for the first time following Katrina. Our first stop was PGT Beauregard Middle School. When we arrived at the school we went to the room where Gene was forced our lovable dogs. The sight was beyond words, beyond understanding, beyond my worst nightmares. When I saw my beloved Angel lying in a pool of her blood I knelt down beside her and started crying. I asked out loud "Why did this happen and who did it?!" I was kneeling in her blood and I was telling her I was sorry that I was forced to leave her. Carol and Gene were with Bullet and were talking to him. As we were getting ready to leave the school, I kissed Angel on her forehead and told her that I was sorry I couldn't rescue her. I still have nightmares about what happened and I picture this all too often in my head. I still lay awake at night crying because Angel Girl was all I had.

This bill must be passed so that our pets can be rescued alongside their human family members and not be sentenced to death unnecessarily by unprepared law enforcement agents or people who do not like pets nor understand the family bonds that keep us close to them. Also, the bill will ensure that well-meaning rescuers will not misplace our pets in other states where name tags and other important information have gone missing during the chaos of emergency rescue situations.

Before I close, I would like to call attention to the three empty leashes that I am carrying today. They represent my family's three dogs that were killed in St. Bernard Parish. It is for the love of these dogs, for the love of my family, that I am here today.

Thank for your time. I only hope that this Senate panel, in your wisdom, will make sure that nobody has to go through what the pet owners of Louisiana have gone through following a future natural disaster.

3. Feedback From People & Pets March Organizer
From: Shannon Moore, shann_moore@yahoo.com
Subject: March/Rally at the LA Capitol was a great success!!

Sorry it has taken so long for this report but I am worn out! The march/rally was very much a success today. There were approximately 150 people there plus dogs and signs.

Somehow I was put in charge of the Press Conference which was not supposed to happen but I did my best and Charlotte [ARNO] was a great speaker!

Robin and Charlotte [ARNO directors] both showed great support today and I am so thankful for everyone that showed up and everyone that helped so much with this endeavor.

I introduced many people to speak at the Press Conference including Senator Fontenot and Laura Maloney and Sherry Rout from ASPCA and Jeff Dorson and Charlotte Bass Lilly and the lobbyist... and back to the Senator.

A lot of press was there to cover the event and the press conference.

We already made it on the ABC (channel 4) news here and everyone keep your eyes out for anything else as I was not home in time for the news so I could only watch the channel that repeats on another channel.

Hopefully the Times-Picayune will pick it up along with many others. I have already had calls from other radio stations and newspapers on this today so this did work!!!!

I was not able to get today on camera. I have taped the one news spot I have seen so far...on VHS for whatever good that does anyone!

Senator Fontenot was so pleased and such a nice man.

With everyone's help we did pull this off and it went great. Thank You so much for all the help you have given me and given to this Bill and to the people involved...like John Bozes. He was still doing a long interview when I left. He will do just fine tomorrow.

Again, Thank You so much. I could have never done this by myself.
Shannon

4. LA Residents: They Want Your Vote!
Talk To Your Legislators About SB-607
From: Marnie Reeder, starbright60@webtv.net

**Louisiana constituents are required to call the office of their elected state Senators or Representatives to schedule a visit to their offices.

Calls and letters are wonderful, but showing up at your legislators' offices really counts. They are very interested in their constituents' (voters') opinions. It may seem intimidating, but its really not. Go in pairs, so it's not so scary. Ask that your visit is recorded, along with your position on Louisiana's pending Pet Evacuation Bill. Most offices have a guest book, or there will be a staff member tallying the calls/visits/letters/email/etc.

**Moderator's Note: I have met with my federal legislators on Capitol Hill in DC many times, regarding animal protection bills. There is nothing scary about this. They want your vote! They want to hear WHY they should support SB-607 Pet Evacuation Bill. Please consider calling your legislators' offices to set up an in-person meeting. In many cases, you will speak to their staff. This is NOT a waste of time. I always state my case in written form as well, to leave at the Congressperson's office.
Brenda Shoss, Kinship Circle  

RESOURCES

Do's and Don'ts of Lobbying: How to Be an Effective Animal Advocate
http://www.hsus.org/legislation_laws/citizen_lobbyist_center/lobbying_101/dos_and_donts_of_
lobbying_how_to_be_an_effective_animal_advocate.html

Tips for Successful Lobbying
http://www.hsus.org/legislation_laws/citizen_lobbyist_center/lobbying_101/tips_for_successful_
lobbying.html

Lobbying 101
http://www.hsus.org/legislation_laws/citizen_lobbyist_center/lobbying_101

Section includes:
—"But We Aren't Allowed to Lobby"
—Biting Back: How One Dog Bite Victim Made a Difference
—Do's and Don'ts of Lobbying: How to Be an Effective Animal Advocate
—Getting to Know Your Elected Officials      
—Tips for Successful Lobbying
—Tips on Writing Letters to the Editor
—What Influences a Legislator?
—Working for Animals

5. More Animal Legislation in Louisiana:
HB-1146 Covers Large Birds Under Cruelty Statutes
From: StopCruelty@cs.com
Subject: From Humane Society of Louisiana/Please Cross Post

Dear Friends:

During the last several years, we have investigated numerous complaints involving the mistreatment and neglect of large birds, such as swans, peacocks and rarities (ostriches, emus and rheas.) Since these fowl are neither classified as native, migratory nor song birds, they lack protection under our state and federal statutes.

To address this concern, we asked Representative Warren Triche to introduce House Bill 1146, which amends the definition of animals to include these birds in our state cruelty statutes, under R.S. 14. 102.1.

HB 1146 will be heard this Thursday morning in the Administration of Criminal Justice.  

To support the passage of this bill out of this committee:
—Call the House switchboard operator, 225-342-6945.
—Leave the same message for up to 3 separate legislators.  
—Ask all legislators below to vote in favor of House Bill 1146.

Please contact the following members of the Administration of Criminal Justice. This bill is scheduled to be heard this Thursday.

Rep. Daniel Martiny, Chair -    larep079@legis.state.la.us
Rep. Alex Heaton, Vice Chair -    larep095@legis.state.la.us
Rep. Ernest Wooton -    larep105@legis.state.la.us
Rep. Jane Smith -    larep008@legis.state.la.us
Rep. Errol Romero -    larep048@legis.state.la.us
Rep. Arthur Morrell -    larep097@legis.state.la.us
Rep. Eric LaFleur-    larep038@legis.state.la.us
Rep. Charles DeWitt -    larep025@legis.state.la.us
Rep. Donald Cravins, Jr. -    larep040@legis.state.la.us
Rep. Donald Cazayoux -    larep18@legis.state.la.us
Rep. Beverly Bruce -    larep007@legis.state.la.us
Rep. Damon Baldone -    larep053@legis.state.la.us
Rep. Mack "Bodi" White -    larep064@legis.state.la.us

Sincerely,

Humane Society of Louisiana
http://www.Humanela.org

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BEAR WITNESS. SPEAK. DEMAND. ACT.
Kinship Circle - Action Campaigns I Literature I Voice For Animals
Brenda Shoss, president * Janet Enoch, vice-president
info@kinshipcircle.org
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