Animal abuse measure rejected

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GRAND FORKS — North Dakota voters handily rejected a measure Tuesday that would have created a felony penalty for malicious cruelty to a dog, cat or horse, but both sides in the contentious struggle vowed to seek changes in state animal cruelty laws at the 2013 Legislature.

With 318 precincts reporting out of 426, the “no” vote led, 132,214 to 66,354 “yes” votes, or 67 percent “no” to 33 percent “yes.” The margin stayed steady throughout the night and reflected decisive votes against the measure in Ramsey, Cavalier and other area counties. The measure also trailed in Grand Forks County but by a slimmer margin, 53 percent to 47 percent with 24 of 27 precincts reporting.

Veterinarians, animal shelters and others who care for and about animals had found themselves on opposing sides over Measure 5, which would not have applied to production agriculture or to lawful activities of hunters, trappers, licensed veterinarians or scientific researchers, or to people acting in defense of life or property.

North Dakota and South Dakota are the only states without a felony animal abuse penalty.

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