Tomorrow, Monday, March 16, the House Agriculture Affairs Committee will hear S 1241, the “Protection of Working Animals” act, a must-pass “proactive shield” to stop radical activists from using “death by a thousand cuts” tactics to ban hunting with dogs and other working animals. By passing S 1241, Idaho will ensure that the rights of the individuals and enterprises these animals serve are legally guaranteed and protected from local interference.
There has never been a more crucial time to pass these protections, as animal extremists in the neighboring state of Oregon are working to place so-called “animal welfare” language on the ballot that, in reality, bans hunting, fishing, and trapping across the state. S 1241 ensures that Idaho draws a line in the sand to protect our heritage with dogs and any other working animal before those same extremist tactics try to cross our borders.
Use the Take Action button below to contact the committee and urge them to vote “Yes” on S 1241. Our best hunting partners, our dogs, deserve the strongest possible protection under the law.
What S 1241 Does and Why We Must Support it:
To a sportsman, a dog is as vital as a rifle, a bow, or a muzzleloader. They are essential partners, not just “pets.” S 1241 ensures the law treats them that way by:
- Definition of “Working Animal”: Broadly defined as any animal used for a specific duty in commerce or service. This specifically includes animals used in hunting, entertainment (like rodeos and horse-drawn carriages), transportation, ranching, farming, and logging.
- Prohibition on Local Bans: It prohibits counties, cities, and state agencies from enacting or enforcing rules that are more restrictive than state law. It specifically targets local ordinances that would terminate, ban, or create “undue financial hardship” for working animal enterprises.
- Protecting Their Natural Purpose: S 1241 ensures that a sportsman can let a purpose-bred hunting dog do exactly what it was bred to do, without fear of local interference.
- Exclusions: The bill explicitly does not protect illegal activities, like dogfighting or cockfighting.
- Exceptions: Recent amendments clarify that the bill does not prevent the enforcement of local zoning ordinances, public health and safety laws, or existing state animal care regulations.
The Clock is Ticking.
S 1241 passed the Senate with bipartisan support, but the opposition is now flooding the House with claims that this “interferes with local control.” We know better: This is about stopping animal rights extremists from ending hunting at the municipal level.
The hearing is scheduled to begin at 1:30 p.m. in room EW42. If you are unable to attend in person, you can watch online.
Our strength lies in our numbers; if we don’t take action, our voices go unheard, and as we all know, the animal extremists will gladly fill that void. Please take 30 seconds to forward this email to your family, friends, and hunting buddies and urge them to Take Action today. We are the only ones who will protect our best hunting partners, and they need this protection today.
There has never been a more crucial time in sportsmen’s history than now to be involved and engaged in protecting our way of life. The legacy of hunting, fishing, and trapping depends on our actions today. Urge your family and friends to join you and the Sportsmen’s Alliance in the fight against the rising tide of animal extremism.
The Sportsmen’s Alliance guarantees hunting, fishing, and trapping for the American sportsman now and forever. We’re there when sportsmen need us most. We are the only organization specifically created to protect the individual hunter, angler, and trapper – no matter the threat. We will never compromise when it comes to defending our way of life in the courts, in the legislatures, in the public square, and at the ballot box. We make this promise to the American sportsman: we will never give up and never give in while proudly securing our future against those seeking to destroy our values, beliefs, and traditions. Stay connected to the Sportsmen’s Alliance: Online, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
