Press Releases

Monday, June 13, 2011
For Immediate Release
Media Contact:  Angela Speed
 (414) 431-6104  aspeed@wihumane.org

Wisconsin Humane Society implores legislators to protect basic needs of animals
Budget bill gives researchers exemption from all animal cruelty laws

MILWAUKEE – The Wisconsin Humane Society is asking the public to contact their legislators today about a measure in the budget bill that would exempt scientific researchers from all state animal cruelty laws. The budget bill is slated for an assembly vote tomorrow and senate vote on Thursday.

The Wisconsin Humane Society strongly opposes this change. Wisconsin law already exempts bona fide scientific researchers from the statutes prohibiting animal mistreatment in section 951.02 of the Wisconsin statutes, and poisoning in section 951.06.

The budget bill amendment is broader and would exempt researchers from the entirety of Chapter 951, the criminal laws relating to animal cruelty. Chapter 951 includes provisions that require proper shelter, food and water and prohibit stealing animals, animal fighting, and abandonment.

“We recognize that animal research has made important contributions to science, but Wisconsin law already allows researchers several exemptions from animal cruelty laws to permit that research to happen,” said Anne Reed, executive director of the Wisconsin Humane Society.

“The bill goes beyond that and says that researchers can do anything without worrying about any state legal protections for animals at all,” Reed said. “They wouldn’t have to follow state laws requiring that animals in captivity be given food and water, be transported humanely, not be kidnapped, and other simple protections we can all agree on. There is no reason in the world why researchers should not have to follow those laws.”

The 130-year-old Wisconsin Humane Society is one of the largest and oldest humane societies in the country, finding homes for 9,368 animals in 2010. The mission of the Wisconsin Humane Society is to build a community where people value animals and treat them with respect and kindness.

# # #

Photo/Interview Opportunity: Anne Reed, Executive Director of the Wisconsin Humane Society, is available for interview. Contact Angela at (414) 431-6104 or aspeed@wihumane.org to schedule an appointment.