Meeting Public Comments

kim adams []

I strongly oppose this legislation. I don't see the benefit for Iowans to take away local control of animals. I am certain this legislation is in part about ending local ordinances set up to keep puppy mills out of their counties. I would also like to know how the law is qualifying dogs as working animals? It appears that you want to take a companion animal and put them in the livestock category.I also noticed that there is a puppy mill run by Gary Zumbach, Zumbach Yorkies, is this any relation to Senator Zumbach who introduced this bill?

Lesa Jacobsen []

What in the world are you thinking with SSB 1195?? Are you NOT LISTENING to Iowans?? WE DO NOT WANT THIS BILL!!! Stop turning deaf ears to the demands of Iowans who strive diligently to protect and preserve the rights and lives of animals in our state! Iowans demand the protection of animals in this state and will stand for no less so, stop listening to a few special interest groups who are not at all interested in protecting animals. They do not represent the majority of people in our state. And one more thing: dogs are NOT WORKING ANIMALS. Dogs are family, so dont even go there! Pull up your pants, grow a spine, and OPPOSE SSB 1195!!!!

Brandy Meredith []

The fact that this is even being considered is a joke. 1195 would not only overturn the three humane ordinances we've been able to pass in Iowa, but would make it illegal for cities or counties to pass future humane ordinances. We are already known as one of the puppy mill capitals of the country and have multiple breeding facilities on the horrible hundred list. Why? Because our leaders and agriculture department do not hold the owners accountable. By passing this bill, you are not only endangering the welfare of animals in these facilities but all companion animals in the state. Iowans do not want this! Iowans want more laws that will PROTECT the companion animals and harsher penalties for the violators. Vote NO!!!!

Tracy Struble []

Passing SSB 1195 is not only bad for Iowa, but it will take our state in the opposite direction that Iowans want. Iowans want more animal protections... not less. We are already nearly last in the NATION with animal cruelty laws....are you trying to make us LAST. We should be having bill protecting...not eliminating!!! LISTEN TO IOWANS...what you were elected for.

Chris Miller []

Do not support SSB 1195! Its ridiculous that we are going to remove protection for animals! I am furious that this is even being considered after we have fought for years and years to get basic rights for animals. Those who abuse them walk away scott free or with very little punishment. Why are you protecting them?? Stop!!

Angelique Rivera []

As an Iowan and a voter, I am commenting to politely urge you to NOT support SSB 1195. Cities all over Iowa have ordinances in place that are there to protect our citizens and the animals in our state from disease, cruelty, neglect and fraud. This one bill would strip away the rights of every city and county in the state and would make many of your constituents very unhappy. Please let Iowa cities retain their rights to pass animal ordinances as they relate to human health and safety, as well as animal welfare. Passing SSB 1195 is not only bad for Iowa, but it will take our state in the opposite direction that the majority of Iowans want. Iowans want more animal protections... not less.

Jill Statler []

Please vote no on SSB 1195. Its way past time Iowa starts standing up against animal abuse. This is doing the exact opposite. Im very saddened this is even being considered. Please do the right thing and stand up for the voiceless. Vote no.Jill StatlerNorth Liberty, IA

Karen L. GREENLEAF []

Please vote no on SB 1195.Our animals need to be protected and there needs to be local control. Please don't cave to special interest.

Cameo Cott [Student Animal Legal Defense Fund - Drake University Law School Chapter]

On behalf of myself and the Drake Law Chapter of the Student Animal Legal Defense Fund, we respectfully request denial of SSB1195. Through education and experience, we have become aware of the sentience of beings other than ourselves and have increasingly recognized mistreatment and use in entertainment as unacceptable. The broad language of this bill serves to undo much of the growth we, as a mindful society, have made. Over the years we, as a country, have made impressive movements towards the freeing and nonuse of wild animals in circuses, sideshows, roadside zoos, and other establishments that profit from the horrors of captive breeding of wild animals. This bill will undo local ordinances prohibiting establishments and activities that have repeatedly been shown to be festering pools of abuse and neglect of animals who should never be caged. The very training of "enterprise animals" for purposes of "entertainment" involves abuse of sentient beings that no person should be comfortable supporting. It is no secret that Iowa is among the worst in its tolerance, and even encouragement, of puppy mills. Currently, Iowa is #2 in largescale commercial breeding facilities and #4 in the nation for USDA noncompliance. As a State, we have proven ineffective at regulating these operations, and complicit, in allowing breeders to continually skirt regulations placed to ensure proper housing and treatment of these animals. Across the country, cities are recognizing the failure of their State to properly regulate these operations and have taken progressive steps by prohibiting area pet stores from selling animals from such operations, and this bill will only serve to extend the free reign of despicable and illegal treatment. The use of animals in research and testing increasingly proves unnecessary thanks to technological advancements. Regulation of care and treatment of these animals is disturbing, at best. Iowa schools and research facilities are no strangers to controversy and allegations of abuse and neglect. Repeatedly we see evidence that the rules and regulations in place at the federal and state level are terribly insufficient. When a locality finds the need to address this issue by implementing tighter restrictions or prohibitions, they do so based upon the enlightenment that such treatment is inhumane and unacceptable. Rather than interfere with steps taken to make treatment in this field catch up with the growing sentiment of society, the State needs to reevaluate its own stance and catch up. Localities are taking it upon themselves to proactively protect these animals because the State refuses to do so. These localities are listening to the voices within their communities to do better, to be better. Localities that have chosen to prohibit the use of wild animals as "entertainment" have made a conscious decision to move beyond our base nature of self above all else. Localities are recognizing the value these animals possess is not encompassed by the entertainment they can provide and the inherent abuses which occur to provide that entertainment. It is no more the States place to force localities to tolerate this treatment than it is for the federal government to force the same on the State. The people in these areas have spoken and their voices have been heard by those with the capabilities of acting upon their wants, it is not your place to silence them.

Janine Gunderson []

Dear Subcommittee Members,Please oppose SSB 1195 taking away local government's ability to regulate working animals and animal enterprise.Cities and counties need the ability to pass future humane ordinances. We need to work together to move forward not backwards. We need to be the voice of innocent animals.Janine GundersonScott County Resident

Maria Mendizabal []

Vote NO on SSB 1195.

Sara Jacobmeyer Pinkham []

Please vote NO on SSB 1195. Iowans do not want this. It is both a step backward and an intrusion on local government, which is run by people who know the needs and wishes of their community members. Cities and counties in Iowa should be able to outlaw cruel animal use and treatment without restriction by state legislation. This bill oversteps and is not good for communities or for animals. A vote for this bill is a vote for puppy mills, among so many other things. This bill is will result in many more cases of animal abuse. Iowa needs to be better than that.

Robert Knecht []

As a resident and Voter in the state of Iowa I ask that you do not pass SB 1195 there is not a need for such a bill and as humans we the people need to be the voice for our pets and all pets.We also need to stop the puppy mill operations that occur throughout the State of Iowa please be a voice for the animals that have to live in these unhuman conditions that benefit the operators and do nothing for the State of Iowa accept give it a bad name. And I also noticed that there is a puppy mill run by Gary Zumbach, Zumbach Yorkies, is this any relation to Senator Zumbach who introduced this bill?And please Vote NO on this and all bills that do not benefit animals in the State of Iowa and be their voice.Thank You for your time in reading this.