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Columns

Amendment 13 is a Trojan Horse

October 19, 2018 - 1:00pm

As a veterinarian, I’ve spent my entire career caring for the health and wellness of animals. I’ve seen firsthand how farmers, horse breeders and pet owners care for their animals. I’ve also seen firsthand the impact of neglect and abuse on animals. This November, I plan to vote no on Amendment 13.

Amendment 13 is a Trojan Horse. While it appears to be an amendment to simply end dog racing, the fine print you won’t see on the ballot could have devastating consequences on Florida’s family farms.

Activists behind the amendment have openly declared their desire to remove meat, dairy and eggs from our diets. These same activists have said they are on a mission to end hunting everywhere. And they’re making progress. Animal rights activists have passed 30 measures through Congress and more than 1,100 regulations in the states.

Now, their target is Florida.

Amendment 13 declares “the humane treatment of animals is a fundamental value of the people of the State of Florida.” This type of vague, undefined declaration in Florida’s Constitution will be exploited by activist groups to bring lawsuits against family farms, equine enthusiasts and sportsmen.

Their efforts to end animal agriculture will devastate the family businesses that produce the food we feed our own families. We’ll be forced to import more food from countries that have lesser standards for the care of their animals. With businesses forced to close and higher prices at the supermarket, Florida’s economy will take a hit.

Don’t let this Trojan Horse find its way into Florida’s Constitution. A “No” on 13 is a vote against extreme activists with hidden agendas. 

Dr. Liz Steele is a veterinarian in Zolfo Springs, a member of the Florida Farm Bureau and a member of the executive committee for the Florida Cattlemen’s Association.

Comments

I owned two racing greyhounds who raced through Hughes Kennels. They were well treated, healthy and loved racing. When they retired I took them home and they were wonderful pets. So there are some happy greyhound stories. I would go see them race and go back with the handlers before the race. All good.

Absolutely voting YES on this! I see you're a veterinarian from Zolfo Springs. I have family that lives there, and I know very well how much the area loves the $$$$ profit from butcher farms and dairy farms. I'm sure you're probably a hunter also. If you have any decency or character at all regarding animals rights you would vote yes also! Nothing troubles me more than to see a veterinarian not have a heart for every single animal that breathes and lives. May I suggest to you to take a trip to a butcher farm where they slaughter innocent animals in the most inhumane ways. And then take a trip to a dairy farm where the babies are ripped away from the mothers and thrown into the death piles. Left to starve to death. Everyone should have to visit these places. Then I can promise you everyone would vote yes on this!!!!

Yes! Excellent points! Thank you.

You obviously have never seen the way dairies operate. Calves are worth $$ and are not "ripped away" from their mothers and left to starve. They are cared for and raised humanely because it is in the farmer's best interest to do so. The cows really don't miss the calves because of their genetics. And, they are cared for because there again, it is in the farmers best interest. Farmers feed all of us and if agriculture is destroyed by these kind of laws, YOUR food prices will go up and the animals in other countries are not treated nearly as well as the ones in this country, I can guarantee you that.

Unfortunately, there are those dairies that do take the calves away from their moms immediately after they are born. I have seen videos of it and how they poor calves are treated. Generally if the calf is a female the farmer will keep her for future use if it is a male, well, they are either sold off cheap or thrown away. There are groups who you know try to end the abuse so they send in people who video tape it but sometimes that does no good, either the farmers are not prosecuted or the judge throws out the case. I wish all dairies would be more humane to the babies.

So are you saying that cows don’t have maternal feelings toward their offsprings? Sorry hate to correct you their bud, but my brother, who has worked with many different types of livestock not just cows FYI would beg to differ with you. Cows & their calves definitely are upset when separated. For quite some time. The only reason you don’t notice it is because you aren’t paying attention and have no compassion. I guess your of that belief that animals don’t have those emotions eh because they can’t verbally communicate. If they spoke your language you wouldn’t enjoy the things they say about you. It’s probably a good thing you can’t read animals minds. As far as the young being treated well because they are worth $$$ um... that is also what you depend on being treated well. I consider being treated with compassion as being treated well, but clearly when we are referring to animals that’s not in your vocabulary. So let’s see if we can break this down for ya, boy calves are sent to slaughter or veal farms unless they like their breeding lines, and girls are usually kept because they can artificially inseminate them and keep getting them pregnant and repeating the cycle. Ahh the joys of dairy farms but no he says they treat them well so yeah. I think I’ll go with my brother’s honesty then your bs, thanks

Absolutey. Many are reading her article and for some reason, DVM behind her name lends credence. Fl Cattlewoman and Farm Bureau is also listed meaning theres "skin in the game". Unfortunately its turned from greyhound racing/wagering to "yes to 13 " will mean the end of Florida farming. WHAT? Does a distant "what if", outweigh what good could result???

There are farther reaching consequences to this amendment. The pets that you have will not be able to participate in any form of competition including lure coursing fast cat barn hunt conformation the police dogs can not participate in competitions . It is the first step for the animal terrorists to come after your animals and how you raise them, play with them and enjoy them. 85 is the unintended or possibly the intended consequence of this amendment. Take the time to read the entire amendment. Also what happens to thos approximately eight thousand greyhounds who are no longer in the racing industry? Think about it

If anyone thinks that a yes vote on this will SAVE the greyhounds you will be sadly disappointed. The owners will euthanize every greyhound in their kennel

If YES wins the vote it gives Greyhound racing until 2020. They will stop breeding when that happens. Groups all over the country are just waiting for greyhounds. Horse transporters among many others are on standby to get them to different parts of the country for adoption.

No, the state will force them to, or force them to be surrendered where overwhelmed rescue groups will have to make the call. This amendment is about controlling people and what they can do with dogs, not about the dogs actual welfare.

Looks like you are a lobbyist for YOUR special interests- People like you cringe when any law is put in place to protect an animal- you should be ashamed-

You may be a veterinarian but you aren’t an attorney. Fortunately I am and as someone who is able to interpret a ruling made by the Supreme Court of Florida I can assure everyone who believes this nonsense that Amendment 13 has one purpose and one purpose alone, to ban greyhound racing in Florida. The Supreme Court of Florida could not have been any clearer when they ruled that Amendment 13 will have no impact on any other forms of gambling or in relation to any other animal issues. I am sorry you are concerned but you are ill informed if you believe this and any information you have received to the contrary is 1000% false. Do not fall for the scare tactics.

Well, since you are an attorney, perhaps you will comment on grey2k being engaged in blackmail in the past and being aligned with terrorist group ALF, or maybe you will comment on HSUS being charged with racketeering for paying a witness to lie, or maybe you will comment on the thieves on your side stealing the NO sides signs and trying to get us thrown off FB illegally. The criminals are on your side, not ours. Mr Kottkamp is a lawyer too and far more successful than you and says the smart vet is spot on. After all, your side is full of proven liars, once a liar, always a liar

I cannot seem to source the propoganda against amendment 13 and am wondering if it links to the anti animal rights group "protect the harvest'. I wish very much for this amendment to pass yet it has hoodwinked many intelligent people with the 'scare tactics'. Who is behind this ?

Thank you for your insightful and intelligent response to all of these people who think that every form of animal owning, farming, competing, etc. will be banned. This is The propaganda that the pro greyhound racing league is trying to use to keep that cool sport alive.

The purpose of Florida's constitutional amendment process is to allow the people to control the government, not to allow special interest groups to bypass the legislative process with ad campaigns and deceptive wording. On all of these amendments ask yourself if the amendment limits the power of government or acts as legislation. Vote no on all of these.

A no vote for amendment 9 would mean you approve of off shore drilling...

Well put - Most seem legislative in nature; special interests taking advantage by using "feel good" marketing toward low information voters.

"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.” Please vote. If you don't understand the amendment the way it is written, vote no. Force those who know its value present it in a way that those who it will affect can understand it.

we need open transparency on all amendments so everyone can make a informed decision. Let the write them in H.S. English, Highlight all plus and minus statements. I will vote no until this happens

All these amendments are so poorly written, that is impossible to vote for any of them.

All this is driving me nuts. I guess since I can't make a decision maybe I'll skip this amendment and let you intelligent guys decide it for me and the greyhounds. Good luck

I have decided that I am not going to the poles nor voting. This is a corrupt nation as far as politicians go. I can't find reason to back any of them so like this person says I will let the informed do the voting. I have seen the way animals for profit are treated , bred and the pain that comes from inbreeding. Morals are the issue. Dog fighting should be one of the main things to truly get rid of. Those people need to be in jail..

Karen, please vote against the socialist, communists, and Nazi candidates. And, remember, it takes 2 good guys to defeat one bad guy. Please DONOT not vote.

you are an idiot for not voting! Inform yourself and vote!

and that is exactly how trump won the election Did not vote Do not complain

Do not abdicate exercising your right to vote. No one out there should get a free ride. Vote to show you have confidence if even in the direction the chosen politician is leaning.

The amendment process takes Florida away from the intended form of duly elected representative government and into the dangerous form of mob rule government. Vote no on all of them this and every election cycle.

I agree! Vote No on all amendments!

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