UPDATE: Arkansas Animal Cruelty Bill—Not Dead Yet?

March 28, 2001 Tupelo, Arkansas, USA

No quitters allowed.

After spending hours compiling links & lists of people to contact regarding the Arkansas animal cruelty legislation (read the March 21 Scoop article: "0-For-2 Today. Arkansas Rejects Animal Cruelty Bill"), I was all set to sit back and relax with a hot cup of tea.

But then I looked down and noticed Wags looking at me oddly.  It was as if he were accusing me, saying, "Well, aren't you going to call some of those numbers yourself?"

And I tell you, Wags has a very persuasive stare (see below).

So I said, "Ok, Mr. Furrypants, just watch me", and I picked up the phone and dialed the number for Arkansas Representative Jim Wood of Tupelo.

If you recall, Rep. Wood is the man who has been tirelessly pushing HB2442—the animal cruelty bill—through the Arkansas legislature, encountering much resistance along the way from the Arkansas Farm Bureau (ok, stop growling, Wags).

Really, I only expected to get his voicemail box, where I was planning to leave a quick few words of encouragement and support for his efforts.

Imagine my surprise when the phone was answered by none other than Ms. Ann Wood, Representative Wood's wife!

Scrambling for my notes (which Wags had conveniently hidden from me), I sputtered out something like, "Uh, hello!  I was calling to congratulate... er, no, I mean, well... House Bill 2442..."

Immediately lighting up, she knew exactly what I was talking about.  For the next hour-and-a-half I spoke with Ms. Wood, a very charming and well-spoken individual, whose passion for the animals is indicative of how devoted she and her husband are to promoting animal protection legislation.

I learned that HB2442, the proposal that would make animal cruelty a felony in Arkansas, is not dead—at least not yet.

Of course, it's an uphill battle, she said, telling me of the day earlier this month when the bill was defeated by two votes.  She recalls her husband was so frustrated he couldn't eat.

But apparently, some members of the legislative committee are so intimidated by the Farm Bureau that they refuse to support HB2442.

Rep. Wood and his wife, who are farmers themselves, have learned that most of the resistance comes not from the actual farmers of the state, but rather from the industrial element: the companies that process, package and sell livestock.

Another one of The Good Guys, Rep. Jim Wood

The bill has one more chance to resurface in the second week of April, before the current session ends.  And get this: Representative Wood has the support he needs (11 votes) to advance HB2442, but never at the same place at the same time (in legislative sessions).  

"Well, is there something we can do to help at this point?" I asked.  "What if we try to contact some of Rep. Wood's supporters and encourage them to keep pushing?"

That just might help, Ms. Wood indicated.  She thanked me profusely and said she would get those names asap.  Less than 10 minutes later she called back with that information:

Click on a name for a photo & email address.

Need help composing a letter?  Just remember to address them "The Honorable [full name]" and refer to the piece of legislation (HB2442).  Also be very brief.  Here are some great tips on writing to public officials.

I've just emailed each one of these committee members with my appreciation and encouragement (remember, these are the people on our side).  What do you think?  Is it worth a shot?

Or do you need to see another picture of Wags?

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