Kristine Seabolt, Minot
The Souris Valley Animal Shelter strongly supports Measure 5, which makes it a felony to maliciously and intentionally harm a dog, cat, or horse. This measure does not have anything to do with agriculture or hunting.
Lawmakers in Montana passed a law like this 20 years ago, and Minnesota legislators took action more than a decade ago.
Volunteers in North Dakota put Measure 5 on the ballot to give voters the opportunity to make our state the 49th to set strong penalties for people who do unspeakable things to animals.
State legislators have had decades to deal with the gaps in our anti-cruelty law, and they've done nothing year after year. Now the opponents of Measure 5 are saying the legislature will handle it. But they've not come forward with a public pledge from even one lawmaker to help.
Measure 5 is on the ballot right now, and if citizens don't pass Measure 5, why should we ever expect lawmakers to get on board with even more comprehensive changes to our anti-cruelty law?
We are one of just two states without a law like this. Please don't fall for the false arguments by the opponents of Measure 5. They're the ones who blocked similar measures in Bismarck for years.
Please join the Souris Valley Animal Shelter and vote yes on Measure 5.
(Seabolt is manager of the Souris Valley Animal Shelter)