The Bismarck Tribune and Forum Communication Company (owner of the Fargo Forum, Grand Forks Herald, Dickinson Press and Jamestown Sun) agree that a legislative solution is a better answer for animal cruelty than Measure 5 and that Measure 5 creates more headaches than it solves.
North Dakota Animal Stewards oppose the ballot initiative because:
"All we have ever wanted is for voters to hear both sides of the story on Measure 5 and to follow the money before they vote. Everywhere we go, the reception has been fantastic and the message to vote “no” on 5 has taken off.
To further strengthen our point, according to the campaign finance report dated Oct. 25, the proponents for Measure 5 report that $2,758 or 0.33 percent of their money, came from North Dakota contributors; 93.46 percent came from outside special interest groups, including the Humane Society of the United States and its allies. The rest came from unlisted contributions, for a total of $837,146.83. It’s hard to say that North Dakotans are behind Measure 5 when only one-third of 1 percent of the money pushing it came from within North Dakota.
It’s no wonder that the latest Mason Dixon poll shows a dramatic shift in the numbers from a month ago (66 percent yes, 27 percent no) and now has the “no” votes ahead 49 percent to 44 percent. I think Valley News Live’s broadcast from Fargo on Oct. 29 said it best when they stated that “support for Measure 5 is crumbling.”
Thank you, North Dakota voters, for pulling back the curtain and giving Measure 5 a closer look. Remember to vote “no” on Measure 5 and support the coalition of real North Dakotans as they continue their work on animal welfare in the 2013 Legislature.
- Jason
Or, mail a contribution to
North Dakota Animal Stewards
407 S. 2nd Street • Bismarck, ND 58504
1) Measure 5 won't improve animal treatment in North Dakota.
- Measure 5 applies only to dogs, cats and horses and leaves out all other animals.
- Measure 5 is silent on the most common forms of mistreatment. According to one media watchdog, North Dakota media have reported 26 instances of animal abuse in 21 years. Only two of those cases match the type of abuse described in Measure 5!
2) North Dakotans – not outside groups – should write North Dakota laws.
- Measure 5 was crafted and is being funded by the same national animal rights group that attacked hunting in North Dakota in 2010. That same group is helping in a lawsuit intended to end beef and pork producers' promotion and research efforts.
- The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), the owner and administrator of the proponent's website, is well-known for its attacks on animal agriculture, hunting, fishing and rodeos, promoting a vegan lifestyle.
- It also has extreme views about animal ownership.
- Measure 5 promoters have publicly said they worded it to be something "passable" and that they intend to "add to it later."
3) Measure 5 interferes with current efforts by North Dakota citizens to improve animal welfare standards.
- Measure 5 is cleverly crafted, with much left to interpretation.
- Without clear definitions, those doing right by animals could even be at risk of being charged with a felony, forced to receive mandatory psychological testing and prohibited to own animals.
- There is a better plan developed in North Dakota by North Dakotans protecting North Dakota animals from mistreatment.
4) Measure 5 impedes North Dakotans' ability to shape animal care laws, and it will be very difficult to fix for seven years.*
- North Dakotans should have more of a say in shaping animal care laws than just a "yes" or "no" "take-it-or-leave-it" decision at the ballot box. The legislative solution offered by North Dakotans for Responsible Animal Care provides that opportunity.
- *Due to state laws prohibiting any changes to the language of a successful ballot initiative for seven years without a two-thirds majority vote, Measure 5 would limit your opportunity to make meaningful changes to animal care laws, specifically as they relate to penalties for abuses of dogs, cats and horses.
- Should Measure 5 pass, the political reality of enacting more meaningful reforms (like those that address the most common forms of dog, cat and horse abuse) is slim.
- Getting "something on the books" just to have "something on the books" is not the answer for North Dakota animals. They are too important to do a sloppy job.
- VOTE "NO" on Measure 5
