WASHINGTON (Feb. 22, 2012) -- The Humane Society Legislative Fund, the nation’s leading political advocacy organization for animal welfare, announced its endorsement of Mary Jo Kilroy in the Democratic primary for Ohio’s newly created 3rd Congressional District. Citing her strong and consistent support of animal protection policies, the Humane Society Legislative Fund urges primary voters to support Kilroy.
“Mary Jo Kilroy has been a champion for common-sense animal protection policies during her career in public service, and would continue to stand up for the values of kindness and compassion in Washington,” said Sara Amundson, executive director of the Humane Society Legislative Fund. “We encourage voters in the 3rd District who care about the humane treatment of animals to support Mary Jo Kilroy.”
Kilroy has been a strong supporter of animal protection. Among her efforts, she has:
- Co-sponsored the Prevention of Interstate Commerce in Animal Crush Videos Act, which passed in 2010 and bans commerce in videos showing the intentional torture of puppies, kittens and other live animals for the sexual titillation of viewers. (P.L. 111-294)
- Co-sponsored the Puppy Uniform Protection and Safety (PUPS) Act, to crack down on abusive puppy mills in the United States, where breeding dogs are often stacked in wire cages for years to produce litter after litter, without exercise, veterinary care, socialization or human companionship.
- Co-sponsored the Great Ape Protection Act to phase out the use of chimpanzees in invasive research, retire the approximately 500 federally-owned chimpanzees to sanctuary, and save tens of millions of tax dollars from warehousing chimps in federally-funded laboratories.
- Co-sponsored the Prevention of Equine Cruelty Act to prohibit the long-distance transport (including export) of horses for slaughter for human consumption in other countries where horse meat is eaten.
- Voted to protect public health and safety as well as the treatment of primates by prohibiting the interstate commerce of primates for the pet trade.
- Co-sponsored the Prevention of Antibiotics for Medical Treatment Act, to phase out routine, nontherapeutic use of antibiotics in animal feed.
- As Franklin County Commissioner, worked to eliminate the use of gas chambers for euthanasia of pets in shelters, to require the spaying or neutering of all dogs prior to adoption, to support adoption promotions such as establishing a website featuring adoptable dogs and monthly adoption events, and supported building a new animal shelter.
- Supported the pet license plate for Ohio, with proceeds benefiting spay/neuter programs.
- Supported efforts by local residents and family farmers to keep a mega-factory farm, with plans to confine six million laying hens in small battery cages, out of Union County.
Media contacts: Pepper Van Tassell, (240) 751-0232, pvantassell@hslf.org
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HSLF is a nonpartisan organization that evaluates candidates based only on a single criterion: where they stand on animal welfare. HSLF does not judge candidates based on party affiliation or any other issue.
The Humane Society Legislative Fund is a social welfare organization incorporated under section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code and formed in 2004 as a separate lobbying affiliate of The Humane Society of the United States. The HSLF works to pass animal protection laws at the state and federal level, to educate the public about animal protection issues, and to support humane candidates for office. Visit us on all our channels: on the web at hslf.org, on our blog at animalsandpolitics.com, on Facebook at facebook.com/humanelegislation and on Twitter at twitter.com/HSLegFund.
Paid for by Humane Society Legislative Fund and not authorized by any candidate or candidate’s committee. HSLF, 1255 23rd Street, NW, Suite 455, Washington, DC 20037.
