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OPPOSE Constitutional Amendment 13

September 26, 2018 - 11:15am

Amendment 13 to the Florida Constitution is being characterized as an amendment to end wagering (betting) on greyhound races in Florida, but it goes much further than that.  Amendment 13 is a “Trojan horse” amendment hiding its real purpose. 

In short, Amendment 13 is not really about greyhound racing, it’s a front for much more.

If Amendment 13 is passed, extreme animal rights organizations will have a new constitutional standard to challenge any and all activities they find objectionable.  

In fact, many believe the first action of these extreme animal rights groups will be to immediately begin work to ban all hunting and fishing, including recreational fishing.  That alone would have a huge negative impact on tourism in Florida, as well as remove the ability of FWC to effectively manage wildlife populations. 

Amendment 13 includes the phrase: 

“The humane treatment of animals is a fundamental value of the people of the State of Florida.”  That language will not appear on the ballot BUT IT IS IN THE AMENDMENT. 

Since no one wants animals treated inhumanely, I and the vast majority of Floridians would agree with that statement in general terms.  However, there is a vast difference between what the public believes is “inhumane” and what animal rights extremist groups and their supporters would call “inhumane.”

The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), is the lead organization pushing for Amendment 13’s passage.  HSUS opposes hundreds of common and traditional activities involving animals because they claim they are “inhumane. 

In fact, the list of activities HSUS and other animal extremist organizations find objectionable is huge and includes hunting, fishing, farming, animal husbandry, marine parks and more.  That’s what this is really about.

Those groups firmly believe that animals shouldn’t be owned as pets because it’s inhumane. 

Clearly, the intent is to establish a legal foothold in the Florida Constitution that they can use to go after legitimate ownership and activities involving pets, other domestic animals and wildlife, that these organizations don’t like.

If you own a dog or cat that is like a member of your family, watch out for Amendment 13.  It could shatter your way of life if some animal rights organization decides to challenge the right to own a pet or have a pet in your home or on your property by calling it “inhumane.” 

Make no mistake, training, owning and using working dogs like military dogs, cattle dogs, seeing-eye dogs, companion dogs, police dogs, or any animal that gives aid, protection, safety, and comfort to humans could be challenged as “inhumane” if Amendment 13 passes.

Whether you are voting absentee, early voting or at the polls on Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2018, vote against Amendment 13. The hidden language in  Amendment 13 -- that will not be on the ballot -- is dangerous.   Amendment 13 should be soundly defeated if you value your rights and preservation of true animal protections at home and in the field. 

Marion P. Hammer is past president of the National Rifle Association and is executive director of Unified Sportsmen of Florida.

Comments

In South Africa they're " poaching " White Farmers and taking their farms & ranches...(the "Mau-Mau" Uprising redux, under "Jomo Kenyatta's twisted legacy")... as we speak. LOOK IT UP ! (It could very easily happen here,...under increased "Democrat rule")

the HSUS is into killing healthy animals in shelters, does it say that on their website, of course not. does it say it only gives 1% of donations to actually help animals, of course not, your a fool for thinking like you do

the HSUS is into killing healthy animals in shelters, does it say that on their website, of course not. does it say it only gives 1% of donations to actually help animals, of course not, your a fool for thinking like you do

If the greyhound racers didn't dump 8-10 thousand dogs a year into the adoption market, then that would be 8-10 thousand more opportunities for Humane Society and SPCA dogs to get adopted -every year! Thank you for bringing this to our attention. I am so glad you expressed concern for the shelter dogs.

If these so called animal shelters waiting to take all of these retired racers do take them, what happens to the dogs that truly need to be rescued? The shelters already are overfilled. Oh wait euthanasia. Now the question is which dogs are euthanasized? Sorry let Greyhound racing continue and adoption groups place the retirees as they are ready to be pets. Check out Paint the Trail if you are interested in learning how Greyhounds are cared for while racing.

Wrong. The fact is that you clearly don’t know anything about the racing Greyhound to understand why people actually want those versus shelter dogs. Second, assuming I would simply turn to a shelter for my next dog instead is inaccurate. Adoption groups like myself aren’t here because the dogs need to be rescued. We’re here because we LOVE the dogs, CHIOOSE, to fill our lives with them, and work with them because we WANT to. That is not, and will never be, replaced by shelter dogs.

yeah because HSUS will say anything to get your $$$ less than 1% goes to help any animal and they run ( and do not help) ANY shelters

Exactly like "The Clinton Foundation"... "smoke & mirrors" !

Exactly like "The Clinton Foundation"... "smoke & mirrors" !

Exactly!!

Actually has gone down PETAs route and they dont want pet ownership , you need to look beyond their website for facts

Maybe as a HSUS lover you don't mind them being lying criminals

Maybe as a HSUS lover you don't mind them being lying criminals

Yes, by all means, do your homework. Discover HSUS takes in 160 million a year and gives less than one half of one percent to help animals but pour millions into offshore pension funds. Do your homework and discover HSUS being fined 15 million for RACKETEERING., criminals

I did my homework, she's right! The language is purposely obtuse to disguise the progressive agenda!

The Amendment was sponsored by a Republican, seconded by a Republican and endorsed by Republicans. yeah, real progressive. Marion Hammer is going for the cash grab from people stupid enough to believe her. Send us money before the dog grabbers come to getcha! LOL

#13 was written and submitted by the CRC and the appointments to Constitution Revision Commission are certainly not progressive. You are correct that constitutional amendments are purposely written to confuse the voting public.

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