The Drumbeat For Oreo’s Law Grows Louder
January 26, 2010
The tragic case of Oreo, an abused dog who was euthanized despite her rescue by the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (APSCA), brought to light a tragic loophole in our animal protection laws. Oreo survived a fall from a six-story building, but was put down after being found to have untreatable aggression, despite the fact that a rescue group wanted to adopt her for rehabilitation. In response, I introduced Oreo’s Law (A.9449/S.6412) with New York State Senator Tom Duane to close that loophole.
My bill, modeled on an existing law in California, allows animal welfare organizations the right to request animals be given to their care when a shelter is planning to euthanize them.
Today, the San Francisco Chronicle published an article, “Do animals need laws protecting them from shelters?” lauding my bill and furthering the drumbeat for a law to protect dogs like Oreo, saying “all over New York, indeed, all over the United States, there are shelters right now killing dogs and cats who could be saved if only they’d let qualified local rescue groups and foster volunteers take animals out of their facilities.”
As a dog owner and a foster parent for an animal rescue group myself, I was heartbroken to learn that Oreo was euthanized. When humane organizations volunteer their expertise in difficult cases, shelters should work with them to the fullest extent possible. This legislation will give tragically abused animals like Oreo another chance at life.
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7 Responses to “The Drumbeat For Oreo’s Law Grows Louder”
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- Via @MicahKellner + @MMViverito NYPD, never sensitive to Trans NYers, but if these allegations true its beyond the pale http://t.co/UGWWI9Tn
10 hours ago from ÜberSocial for BlackBerry
I want to thank you for introducing Oreo’s law and express my support of this important piece of legislation. It is unfortunate that it is necessary to pass laws that enforce and allow life saving efforts. One would think that, as a compassionate nation, saving lives would be our top priority. Unfortunately it is not a priority in numerous shelters and “humane” organizations all over the country.
Oreo (and later Max’s) unnecessary and preventable death, at the hands of a “humane” organization, sadly are not uncommon. In Houston, foster parents and rescue groups routinely experience these very same horrors at our five kill shelters.
Laws that will protect rescue groups’ rights to save these animals are desperately needed. Those of us “in the trenches” immensely appreciate your efforts to help stop this atrocity.
Mr. Kellner. Thank you so much for what you are doing to benefit shelter animals in New York. I hope you’ll be an inspiration to my representatives in Virginia.
Thank you so much for speaking for those of us who love animals, and are so saddened by the tragic killing of Oreo. This law MUST be passed.
Thank you so much for doing this. The effects of Oreo’s Law will resonate well beyond the borders of New York state.
What happened to Oreo is very sad. It is great to have someone like you to not only bring this to our attention, but also do something about it. Thank you for being an advocate for helpless animals.
Thank you for the time and energy you have put into protecting those creatures who cannot protect themselves. I am not from New York but certainly would love to see this resonate to all states that do not make this effort. Please continue your diligent work to make sure the law is passed.
[...] Aliksanyan and Brenda Bush on the DogsInDanger radio show to discuss my bill, Oreo’s Law. I have blogged extensively about the tragic case of Oreo, an abused dog who was killed despite her rescue by the [...]