If you haven’t yet read about the Missouri family being fined $90,643 for selling a few rabbits, then you should go read this story now. They are in no way accused of mistreating animals. In fact, they were recognized by folks in the area for their incredible quality and how well they treat them. That’s why a pet store started buying some off of them. And when they didn’t fill out the right paperwork, well, that brings down the force of the federal government on you.
But what’s telling about this story is that the USDA staff have repeatedly said they are stepping up enforcement of these laws – even if it means fining families $90K for paperwork violations – and that they intend to use these kinds of cases in order to teach a lesson. And where do we get that directive? Directly from the HSUS Change Agenda for Animals presented to the Obama administration at the beginning of his term. Here’s the portion relevant to the Missouri case:
U. S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)
3) Enforcement – …increase oversight of key federal laws (…Animal Welfare Act (AWA)…); …impose strong penalties (not suspension of fines, as is so typical now); …resume issuance of press releases on enforcement actions to maximize deterrent impact…
Hunters, you better pay attention. PAGunRights already outlined all of the provisions in the “Change Agenda” that go after your participation in the outdoor sports. They won’t ban it directly, but they’ll make your life hell with the full force of the federal government.
HSUS is Bad News.
Does item # 26 mean that we cannot concealed carry in national parks again? If it hasn’t happened yet we need to fight this tooth and nail! I guess it’s time to start writing nasty letters AGAIN.
Yes, HSUS wants to target carry in National Parks. We covered that when the agenda was released.
I’m not sure who you plan to target with nasty letters since A) nasty letters usually don’t make a good impression in winning someone to your side, and B) there are no actual proposals in the works right now. This is the announced agenda by an interest group with a lobby shop. I’m pointing out that the Obama administration is working from it to some degree, but they haven’t started working on all of it. They may never start working on some issues of it at all.
If you want to write a letter about the issue, I suggest a friendly one to your Congressman & Senators simply reminding them that you are a gun owner concerned by the agency overreach on a number of topics and fear it could impact gun owners in the future. Let them know that you’d appreciate their support for your rights and that you’ll keep an eye on the issues as the next elections approach.
Bitter wrote: “If you want to write a letter about the issue, I suggest a friendly one to your Congressman & Senators simply reminding them that you are a gun owner concerned by the agency overreach on a number of topics and fear it could impact gun owners in the future”.
THANK YOU. I write or call my reps so much, I fear they have written me off as a crank. As a livestock farmer, I really appreciate this kind of support. There are fewer farmers than gun owners or hunters these days. The people that don’t want sensible deer management also do not want my beef or lamb on your dinner plate either.
HSUS is a big threat to the livestock industry. They target a few nasty corporate confined animal farms with docu-dramas; then get the support of the urban population for restrictions that come down upon even two-bit farmers like me.