WASHINGTON (February 22, 2018) —Today the Humane Society Legislative Fund, the nation’s leading political advocacy organization for animal welfare, announced its endorsement of Conor Lamb for Pennsylvania’s 18th Congressional District.
The bipartisan group bases endorsements on candidates’ voting records and positions on animal welfare issues. While serving in the Marines, Lamb witnessed the essential role animals play in national security and in assisting our veterans as they return home. As a former federal prosecutor, Lamb knows that people who abuse animals are more likely to commit violent crimes in the future.
Conor’s opponent, Rick Saccone, voted against stiffer penalties for animal abuse and neglect in the state legislature. In 2017, Rick Saccone was one of only 20 no votes on Comprehensive Animal Cruelty Act 10, also known as Libre’s Law, the Pennsylvania animal-cruelty legislation named after an abused Boston terrier puppy found at a puppy mill in Lancaster County. By contrast, Lamb supports legislation to improve standards of care for dogs in large-scale commercial breeding operations and strengthen enforcement of the Animal Welfare Act, as well as to prohibit the most malicious forms of animal cruelty on federal property or in interstate commerce.
"Conor Lamb demonstrates compassion for animals and a commitment to enacting laws to protect them," said Sara Amundson, senior vice president of the Humane Society Legislative Fund. "As a Marine, Conor Lamb will fight for our veterans by ensuring the Department of Veterans Affairs provides access to service dogs for veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder. We urge voters in the 18th district who care about animals to support Conor Lamb for Congress."
Lamb has also committed to work on important animal welfare issues including supporting victims of domestic violence and their pets, eliminating the dog and cat meat trade, and ending horse slaughter.
Background on Libre's Law
Comprehensive Animal Cruelty Act 10, also known as Libre’s Law, the Pennsylvania animal-cruelty legislation named after an abused puppy, was signed into law by Gov. Wolf in 2017.
This law:
- Stiffens penalties for animal cruelty
- Provides Humane Society police officers and veterinarians protections to report animal cruelty.
- Includes horses in animal protection laws that currently protect dogs and cats
Read more about Libre’s Law and follow Libre’s story here.
Media contact: Anna West, (240) 751-2669, awest@humanesociety.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.
