Letter to the editor: Measure 5 will only protect animals in North Dakota

I encourage you all to look at the real reason behind Measure 5. Ignore claims that a “no” vote will protect hunting and fishing. It is propaganda that is preventing progress. Let’s look at the facts people. This measure was drafted after years of trying to go through proper legislative channels, being denied time and time again. Last session they weren’t even able to agree to study the issue of cruelty to animals. While there is fantastic proposed legislation on the horizon and I am hopeful that it passes, I am ultimately skeptical.

Measure 5 deals only with malicious act of violence towards dogs, cats and horses. It specifically excludes hunting, farming and ranching. It says nothing about gunshots, since that is an acceptable form of euthanasia by the American Veterinary Medical Association. Killings for mercy wouldn’t even be in the discussion.

The argument that “those acts don’t happen in this state” are absolutely false. Just this summer a Chihuahua was beaten to death in its Grand Forks home by burglars. A few years back after an argument between roommates a pet cat in the apartment had its throat slit with a box cutter.

These cruel acts demonstrate some serious red flags. The American Psychiatric Association considers animal cruelty one of the diagnostic criteria of conduct disorder. The FBI has recognized the connection since the 1970s, when its analysis of the lives of serial killers suggested that most had killed or tortured animals as children. Other research has shown consistent patterns of animal cruelty among perpetrators of more common forms of violence, including child abuse, spouse abuse and elder abuse.

The argument claiming a “yes” vote will hinder any similar proposed legislation from passing is also false. Measure 5 is adding a statute to the Century Code. If Measure 5 passes then it is true it cannot be amended for 7 years. However, the rest of the Century Code can be updated with more robust legislation.

The argument that “this is a chance for the Humane Society of the United States to get a foot in the door to ruin animal agriculture in this state” is also false. I feel our citizens are educated enough to understand that the legislators they vote in wouldn’t support something that would harm the state. Also any initiated measures that would harm the livelihood and pastimes of this state would fail before they even made it to the ballot booth.

The truth is Measure 5 had more than enough support to get on the ballot. A strong “yes” vote on the ballot will give a strong message to our legislators that we value the proposed legislation dealing with animal cruelty in this state.

Tracy Lee

Valley City, N.D.

Tags: opinion, letters, measures