Letter: No vote does not mean support of animal cruelty

Let me introduce myself, I am an animal lover. I have two dogs, three cats, four horses and 150 head of cattle. I am very passionate about my animals and love them dearly. I appreciate the time and effort supporters of Measure 5 have put in to make the state aware that we need better laws on animal cruelty.

With that being said, I am very much against Measure 5. Surprised?

Let me tell you why.

1. I love all animals and Measure 5 only addresses dogs, cats and horses.

2. Measure 5 is carefully written to tug at our heartstrings. What animal lovers wouldn’t want to end animal cruelty? The problem is that it is much too vague, not well defined and what about the other animal species?

3. There is a group of North Dakotan’s working on changing legislation. The language is spelled out very clear and addresses not only animal cruelty, but also addresses neglect and abandonment, which happen far more frequently.

Please check out www.ndanimalcare.com and click on proposed language to see the actual

proposed law. Please compare this to Measure 5 and see what you think is really better for all animals.

North Dakota Animal Stewards also is a great website, www.ndanimalstewards.com; also look them up on Facebook. They have a wealth of information and they are great about responding to questions, whether you are for or against Measure 5.

Thank you for taking the time to read my opinions and I hope that as a fellow animal lover, you will take the time to look at what North Dakotan’s for Responsible Animal Care are doing for all of our animals in North Dakota.

Remember a no vote does not mean you support animal cruelty, it means you support a better solution for all animals in North Dakota. I urge you to vote no on Measure 5.

Jolyn Wasem, Halliday

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