Note From Betty Salmon

Note from Betty:



I have been asked to forward the attached Issue 2 letter to interested parties in OH. I was asked to do so by the author of the attached letter, Marcie Williams. Marcie has been helpful in spreading the word to the agricultural sector that dog owners and owners' rights are under attack. She was instrumental in getting information about HSUS and their agenda into the hands of various OH farming coalitions, federations and boards: that led to the creation of Issue 2.



As you know, many OH agricultural concerns have met and created the oversight structure provided under Issue 2. It was passed through the preliminary legislative process and is now on the ballot for us to decide this November. Passage of Issue 2 would be a set-back for HSUS and prevent them from furthering their anti-domestic animal/anti-owners' rights agenda for a while. It may even serve as a model for enactment of other ballot issues or bills that would aid us in our fight to preserve our ability to own and breed pets. It is harder for radicals to overturn an existing system than it would be for them to put theirs in place in the absence of one.



The HSUS is pulling out all the stops to defeat Issue 2 and prevent OH from enacting this model to protect its agricultural business and the right of animal ownership. The oversight provided in Issue 2 would apply to small and large farms alike, and would put in place a mechanism to assure humane treatment of animals used for agricultural purposes. The protocols developed would be determined by individuals knowledgeable about animal husbandry and animal welfare, instead of animal rights advocates.



The specter of "Big Agribusiness" has been raised by HSUS, and may cause voters to focus on an unpopular concept. This is the same tactic as that used by HSUS to lead animal lovers to think of all breeders as "Puppy Mills."