CA ASM Appropriations Committee Fails Californians

Yesterday two important animal bills got past the CA ASM Appropriations Committee:

• AB 241 (Dogs and cats: breeding for sale), and
• AB 1437 (Shelled eggs: sale for human consumption: compliance with animal care standards).
  

In each case, yesterday's final misleading or incomplete testimony by the H$U$ probably sent these atrocious bills off to the Assembly Floor.

AB 241 - H$U$ had the last word in testimony and stated that the breeder of VP Joe Biden's new puppy, Champ, received five animal control citations after he took his pup home. The FULL truth is:

• After Biden got his pup, the kennel got SEVERAL visits from Animal Control due to 'anonymous complaints' and was cited, among other things, for a piece of kibble on the ground and five loose dog hairs.
• Both Biden and the kennel owner have been subjected to numerous death threats and other crazy nastiness from animal radicals
  
• ASM Appropriations did NOT get to hear the final Court decision on these citations:
  

  "... Brown’s case was heard by District Justice James DeAngelo in South Coventry on March 31. She was found “not guilty” for each citation, the judge’s office confirmed Wednesday...."

Funny, isn't it. I know a number of people who faxed and called about what happened to this breeder to each of these Assembly members over the past few weeks...

AB 1437 - H$U$ again had the last word and said they supported the bill because they wanted egg laying hens to be healthier. This statement was made AFTER testimony citing UC Davis economic and Swedish laying hen health studies showing more hens die and more hens get sick on commercial free range egg farms.

Testimony was also given about California's WIC program recipients (Women Infants and Children). They won't be allowed eggs at all under AB 1437 unless current guidelines are changed. School breakfasts and lunches will also increase in cost ... but the Bill itself says this won't cost the State. Nope. Only the future health of our children and overburdened school budgets.

No date has been set for the full Assembly votes on either Bill. Great appreciation goes to the following Assembly Members who had the common sense to either not vote or vote against these Bills:

• AB 241 - Voting NO: Assembly Members Nielsen, Duvall and Miller

• AB 1437 - Voting NO: Assembly Members Nielsen, Charles Calderon and Harkey; Not voting, abstaining or absent: Assembly Members Duvall, Miller, Audra and Strickland