NOTE: As with most Internet polls, this poll is not balanced against a weighted sample. There is no statistical accuracy relating to any specific demographic of poll takers. Anyone can take this poll and the Northender collects no data about the respondents.
TO THE EDITOR: An Open Letter to NYS Senator Carl Marcellino
Dear Senator Marcellino:
We are writing to express our profound disappointment in your failure of leadership on Senate Bill S. 2142, the "Home Rule Trapping Bill." This legislation recognizes that trapping should not be managed with a "one size fits all" approach and would allow individual counties to regulate trapping methods within their own borders. Long Islanders, including many of your constituents, have clearly demonstrated that they do not want inhumane and lethal trapping on our densely populated island.
Suffolk County has already endorsed S. 2142 and has tried to ban the use of steel-jaw leghold and body-gripping traps, only to be overruled by New York State. To ignore the trauma and heartache already realized with these devices is deplorable. Family pets being strangled to death certainly exemplifies a failure of current regulations.
As you know, the companion bill A. 1835 was overwhelmingly approved by the State Assembly on May 22nd. We urge you to take positive action now on S. 2142 and move it out of your Environmental Conservation Committee to allow a vote by the full Senate.
This bill will not threaten upstate counties who may still feel that trapping is an important recreational or economic opportunity. They simply will retain current regulations.
We await your announcement of your support for this important bill. Your influence will enable our local communities to protect our children, pets and wildlife while enjoying the beauty of our Long Island.
Sincerely,
Gail Murphy Chair, Bite Back Coalition
Sara Davison Vice Chair, Bite Back Coalition
Member Organizations: Angel's Gate Animal Hospice, Animal Protection Institute, Animal Rescue Fund of the Hamptons, Inc., ASPCA, BeKind.Org, Center for Specialized Veterinary Care, East Hampton Group for Wildlife, East Hampton Trails Preservation Society, Elsa's Ark, Friends of the Amigo Foundation, Friends of the Long Pond Greenbelt, Humane Society of Grand Bahama, Humane Society of New York, Humane Society of the United States, Little Shelter, LI -Dog, PEACE, People for the End of Animal Cruelty & Exploitation, Rocky's Fund Dog Rescue, Save A Pet, Southampton Trails Preservation Society, Suffolk County Girl Scout Troop #1718, Wildlife Rescue Center of the Hamptons
Bite Back Coalition - P.O. Box 901 - Wainscott, NY 11975 - Phone #: 631-537-0400
