On Wed, 23 Feb 2005 19:12:29 +0000, NOYB wrote:


Proposed New York bill is absolutely criminal
By Gene Mueller
Published February 23, 2005

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New York hunters are in an uproar over state assembly Bill 1850 that would
make sport hunting a punishable act of animal cruelty.
The bill, introduced by Assemblyman Alexander Grannis, New York City
Democrat, would revise the state's definition of animal cruelty to include
the "killing or injuring [of] wild game and wild birds." The revision would
make hunting and trapping activities criminal offenses. The bill is now
being considered before the body's Agriculture Committee.
"The bill creates a contradiction in the law [because] the state code
allows regulated hunting," said Tony Celebrezze of the U.S. Sportsmen's
Alliance, a national watchdog group that is ready to enter the fray whenever
Americans' right to hunt is challenged. "If [this] becomes law, anti-hunters
will have a field day ensuring that sportsmen are prosecuted on animal
cruelty charges."
The proposal is similar to a Texas bill that also would turn everyday
hunters into criminals. Hunters in Iowa and Connecticut also have had to
defeat animal cruelty bills that threatened hunting with dogs.

Next thing you know they'll try to ban fishing. Daaaaaamn!