Illinois Euthanasia Bill is a Disguised Attack on Trapping

[Graybeard]

Illinois Euthanasia Bill is a Disguised Attack on all Hunting, Trapping and Fishing
 

Illinois sportsmen must rally to defeat dangerous, precedent-setting legislation that was recently introduced in the Illinois Senate.  Senate Bill 2431 would set standards for the euthanasia of wildlife.  The American Veterinary Medical Association would set the standards.  Although there is little time for the bill to pass before the end of session, there are multiple reasons why it must be defeated.

 

Senate Bill 2431 destroys effective trapping of beaver, mink, muskrat, otter and raccoon by banning water sets.  This accounts for the majority of trapping that takes place in Illinois.  

 

The authors of SB 2431 are hiding the bill's impact on hunting.  According to U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance lawyers, the measure applies to the dispatch of all wildlife - deer, ducks, doves, etc.  

 

Recently, the American Veterinary Medical Association objected to a woman shooting her own dog as an act of euthanasia.  Now, the same group would set the standard for hunting.      

 

The legislation is precedent setting.  Neither veterinarians nor any other private organization sets wildlife rules in Illinois or any state.  If this bill passes, any change in the AVMA euthanasia standards will automatically become law.  If anti-hunters make up the majority on the Board of Directors, they will be able to change wildlife policy without the approval of Illinois' wildlife professionals.

 

The impact of this bill on the public will be tremendous.  It requires that any animal causing damage be turned over to a wildlife rehabilitator whenever possible.  Instead of controlling wildlife, this bill guarantees the proliferation of nuisance wildlife.  The excessive beaver and raccoon population that would come as a result of this bill will cause well contamination, water damage and an increase in the spread of rabies.  

 

Finally, the bill is an invitation to the animal rights lobby and their army of lawyers who could argue that it applies to not only trapping and hunting, but to fishing, as well.  

 

Illinois sportsmen should take action now!  Senate Bill 2431 is one of the most blatantly pro-animal rights pieces of legislation ever written, and it must be defeated immediately.  Illinois sportsmen can find their senator and contact him or her by calling  (217) 782-8223, or by using the Legislative Action Center on the U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance homepage, www.ussportsmen.org.

[rascal (Joe Duncan)]

GB;

You write:
"Recently, the American Veterinary Medical Association objected to a woman shooting her own dog as an act of euthanasia. Now, the same group would set the standard for hunting. "

I am not surprised at that action.  It all boils down to $$$$ it seems.  The American Veterinary Medical Association would like nothing better than to force everyone to have their animals euthanized through a vet!  MORE DOLLARS IN THEIR POCKET!!  

Most of the vets in my area are hunters and would be against the bill but the "powers that be" in the Association are to blame here in addition to  the bleeding heart liberals and anti's.  

Let's hope this thing never gets off the ground.