David Michel

Last week, Rep. Nicole Klarides-Ditria (R- Beacon Falls, Seymour, and Derby) and I, held the first meeting of the year for the Animal Advocacy Caucus. We were joined by Annie Hornish, Connecticut State Director of the Humane Society of the United States, Jo-Anne Basile, Executive Director of CT Votes for Animals, Kathleen Magner, Chair of Sierra Club Connecticut’s Wildlife Committee, and Amy Mallardi, from Fur Free CT, as well as many other groups and advocates from across the state and country.
 
I introduced Rep. Klarides-Ditria as the new co-chair of the caucus. “Animals, whether pets, livestock or living wild in nature, deserve the best possible protections from abuse and neglect that we can provide,” Rep. Klarides-Ditria said. “As legislators we work on behalf of all of our constituents, including our animal friends, and I’m honored to be named co-chair of the Animal Advocacy Caucus with Rep. Michel.”
 
It was an honor to introduce Rep. Klarides-Ditria as our new co-chair, and to have so many legislators interested in rejoining the caucus. Although some were not able to make it, we were excited to see such a response at such a busy time. Former Rep. Annie Hornish started this caucus in and it is an honor to continue her work and lead this caucus that is about understanding the protection of pets, wildlife and the environment we share with them.
 
“The Animal Advocacy Caucus is yet another sign of how public values are shifting in the direction of embracing peaceful coexistence with all animals, both domesticated and wildlife, from dogs to dolphins,” said Annie Hornish, Connecticut State Director for The Humane Society of the United States. “Under the leadership of Rep. Michel and Rep. Klarides-Ditria, this bipartisan caucus currently has unprecedented number of legislators involved, many of whom have proudly fostered or adopted dogs or cats.”
 
This year, the caucus has received bipartisan support from legislators. At the meeting the caucus reviewed the major bills addressing animals rights this session and will reconvene in two weeks to discuss bills which have received a public hearing. 
 
The caucus strongly supports the following legislative proposals:
1.    The ban of all pet shops from selling dogs and cats; very few shops sell dogs and cats, and the caucus will support their transition to the other business model commonly used across the state;
2.    The ban of the big six African species imports; 
3.    The prohibition of the use of wild animals in circuses carnivals and exhibitions;
4.    The ban of animal-fighting paraphernalia; and
5.    The implementation of ambulance transportation for police dogs injured in the line of duty.
 
For any questions about the caucus, or particular bills, please reach out to me at david.michel@cga.ct.gov.