The Animal Control Officer Training Bill: Act Now

Dear friends,

I am writing to you because Senator John McKinney is your State Senator and right now the animals need your voice!

Our Companions Animal Sanctuary works closely with CT Votes for Animals (CT’s animal political advocacy group). We’ve been working on many important pieces of legislation this session including a bill that will require Animal Control Officers to be trained.

HB 5446- referred to as the “Animal Control Officer Training Bill” will require Animal Control Officers in Connecticut to be trained and will enable them to have a veterinarian sterilize adopted animals before they are released from the shelter. (see fact sheet attached)

Here are some articles that have caused much public outrage that clearly make the case for urgently needed ACO training:

http://naugatuck.patch.com/articles/police-animal-control-officers-mishandled-cruelty-case

http://valley.newhavenindependent.org/archives/entry/derby_animal_control_officer_resigns/

http://www.norwichbulletin.com/news/x1481608155/Anger-directed-at-Colchester-animal-control-officer#axzz1oSXN5omB

Animal Control Officer training is the solution and is supported by progressive Animal Control Officers throughout the state who greatly want to professionalize the field. The ability to vaccinate and Spay/Neuter animals before their release from the shelter is also widely supported and it’s an outrage that our animals are being released unsterilized.

HB 5446 passed the House of Representative Unanimously!  Now it is headed for the Senate Floor.

This is where you, and Senator McKinney come in…

Please email or call him TODAY! 

Senator McKinney currently supports this bill but he needs to hear from his constituents to ensure this bill is a priority for him. (Below is his website with his contact information)

http://ctsenaterepublicans.com/home-mckinney/

Please email Senator McKinney at John.McKinney@cga.ct.gov">John.McKinney@cga.ct.gov.  The email can be short and simple. Please ask him to call HB5446 “The Animal Control Officer Training Bill” for a vote in the Senate

 

Please give him your name and address so he knows you’re a constituent. And, please when you/email, reply to me to let me know. We are keeping track of how many constituent contacts he receives.

Finally, we’d be grateful if you would cross-post this email with other animal lovers in his district which includes the towns of Easton, Fairfield, Newtown and Weston.

Thank you in advance for your advocacy on this important issue.

Susan B. Linker

Chief Executive Officer

Our Companions Domestic Animal Sanctuary

P.O. Box 673

Bloomfield, CT  06002

(860) 242-9999, ext. 301

SusanL@OurCompanions.org">SusanL@OurCompanions.org

www.OurCompanions.org