2011 Special Election Minnesota Senate Districts 46 and 61

The governor has issued two Writs of Special Election to fill vacancies in Senate Districts 46 and 61. Primary elections were held September 13, 2011. Both districts will hold their special elections Oct. 18, 2011.

If a candidate is not our our list of Recommended Candidates for the Special Election 2011 and you would like to learn how they feel about animal issues, please contact them! Especially right before an election, candidates will be very responsive to questions from you as a voter in their district. Find out who is running in your district here, and simply email or call them to ask. Below are a few sample questions you may wish to ask, but you should also feel free to ask, in your own words, about the issues that matter to you most. Contact us if you’d like help drafting a question- we’re happy to help.

Sample questions for candidates

Have you taken any actions in the past to positively impact the humane treatment and protection of animals? Include any actions taken while in office or as a private citizen.

Are there any programs or policies you would like to see implemented to encourage stronger protections for animals?

Do you have any animals (companion or otherwise) now or would you have any animals if your living arrangements permitted you to do so?

Issue questions

Puppy and Kitten Mills

Large breeding operations that breed and house many dogs and cats (some upwards of a thousand) are commonly referred to as ‘puppy mills’ or ‘kitten mills’. Minnesota is among the top producers of puppies in the United States, with some of the largest puppy/kitten mills in the nation. Minnesota does not regulate this multi-million dollar industry.

Breeders who are focused on mass producing puppies and kittens often do not provide proper care for the animals. Dogs, puppies, cats and kittens may be housed in cages stacked one on top of the other, and the cages are frequently overcrowded and filthy.  To increase profit margins, breeders may cut corners by providing minimal veterinary care, inadequate ventilation, and/or no bedding or protection from the elements.  Many animals become sick, thin, injured, diseased, and develop behavioral issues.  The breeders often hire few employees which results in limited or no human contact, exercise or socialization for the animals.

Breeders who sell their puppies and kittens directly to the public (over the Internet, through ads in the newspaper, or who ‘set up shop’ in parking lots) are completely unregulated by state or federal law. Minnesota has no laws that regulate the dog and cat breeding industry.

If elected, would you support legislation that regulates the breeding of dogs and cats by giving the State of Minnesota the authority to 1) license larger breeders of dogs and cats, 2) inspect facilities, 3) enforce laws and regulations, and 4) impose civil and criminal penalties?

Criminalization of undercover investigations at an animal facility

What is your position on legislation that would criminalize undercover investigations at an animal facility?  Refer to S.F. 1118 and H.F. 1369 that would  criminalize blowing the whistle on animal cruelty, food safety problems, or labor abuses inside puppy and kitten mills or factory farms by making it a crime to take video inside such facilities, or even for the news media to possess or distribute these images.

If elected, would you oppose the criminalization of undercover investigations at animal facilities?

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Please keep in touch and let us know your candidates’ responses. Thank you for taking the time to be engaged on behalf of animals!