Let me begin by saying I care about animals. On our ranch we have two dogs, a dozen cats, five horses and many cows. We care for them every day of the year and at times go to great lengths to make them comfortable and help them to survive in times of trouble. We are livestock stewards.
I, along with my family and hundreds of other farmers, ranchers, hunters, veterinarians, local animal shelters and more, are completely against Measure 5.
The advertisements you have seen on television and heard on the radio say that it has nothing to do with agriculture and hunting and that there will be no impact if passed. Even the paragraph within the ballot says it will have no impact. It’s a lie.
The fact is, The Humane Society of the United States is backing this issue and has sent hundreds of thousands of dollars to North Dakota to get this measure passed.
Someone with opposing views may bring up the fact that out of state groups have been seen running a yes-vote advertisement as well. That is because other states that have been affected by the HSUS know what will happen to our state if this is passed and they will do what they can to help us defeat it.
But doesn’t the HSUS help save animals? No! Less than 1 percent of its multi-million dollar budget goes to local shelters and to save animals. Most of it (maybe even money you have sent them) goes to lobbying efforts for issues like Measure 5 here in North Dakota.
HSUS has been quoted saying: “If we could shut down all sport hunting in a moment, we would,” CEO Wayne Pacelle, quoted by The Associated Press, December 1991
“My goal is the abolition of all animal agriculture,” HSUS Director of Animal Cruelty Policy John “J.P.” Goodwin
And we want those extremists to write our laws? Please, do your homework before voting this election. If you ask me, this is the one time there is no opinion involved. It’s not about choosing a side. We all care about animals. This is a very poorly worded measure that will do little to nothing to improve the lives of animals and is backed by one of agricultural industry’s biggest nightmares.
Let’s write our own laws and vote no on Measure 5. Our future here in North Dakota depends on it.
Calli Thorne and family, Watford City
Tags: opinion, letter, letters
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