Animal Welfare/Pass Legislation for More Criminal Penalties for Cruelty to Animals

By Mark Gonzaga

Animal Legislative Action Network endorsement: May 14, 2006. Questionnaire completed by Mark Gonzaga on May 13, 2006.

The Animal Legislative Action Network is a political action committee that elects animal friendly legislators to the California Legislature. We attempt to obtain the views of viable candidates in each competitive race. website: http://www.alanpac.com.

ANIMALS IN ENTERTAINMENT

1. Both dog fighting and cockfighting are outlawed in California, yet they occur with frequency in many communities. Can you formulate a solution?

ANIMALS IN ENTERTAINMENT 1. ANSWER:

Enforce a strict criminal penalty if dog fighting or cock fighting occurs, for running, attending or knowledge of such. Dog fighting and cock fighting generally occur in poor and uneducated communities where such is culturally acceptable by their system of values and norms. For instance, as in the acceptance of bullfighting which is looked upon in Spain, Mexico and other countries as merely a form of entertainment. My key phrase has been and shall always be, "Education, leads to a better standard of living for you and those around you and promotes social harmony." Individuals involved in dog fighting and cock fighting events need to be educated to the fact that such is not acceptable in the United States or any civilized, educated culture. If the individual or individuals running such, attending such or having knowledge of such are not legal citizens they shall be placed on immediate probation for violation of citizenship rights.

2. There has been a great deal of controversy recently regarding keeping elephants in zoos. Some animal rights groups and members of the public feel that these large animals are ill-suited to a captive environment, regardless of how "natural" their caged habitat may be. Other groups and individuals feel that elephants are safe and well-treated in zoos and provide valuable education tools. What should be done with elephants already resident in California?

ANIMALS IN ENTERTAINMENT 2. ANSWER:

I absolutely believe NO animal, including elephants should be held in captivity unless they must be momentarily detained for the safety of others until such animal can be released back into its natural habitat. A cage is still a cage no matter how similar it may be to the animals "natural" habitat; it is still a captive environment. Elephants and other animals may be physically safe well-treated in their captive environments of zoos but their psychological and emotional well-being is far from safe and dwindles being captive. Eventually their spirit either dies or they may go on a wild rampage and break free or hurt their caretakers and audience. This is the twenty-first century and the need to view animals as valuable educational tools can be done through the media. It would be nice if I could tell you with confidence that the captive elephants of California should be moved to a natural habitat back to the country of their original and with the ability to leave such habitat when they feel they are ready, if they ever feel they are ready. Realistically, unfortunately many animals including elephants are slaughtered by poachers in other countries and even in the United States aside from the cost and health risk of moving such large creatures overseas. Therefore, it is most realistic to allow the resident elephants of California already in captivity to live out their lives in large captive environments as similar to their natural habitats as possible and I will pass legislation that elephants will no longer be placed in captivity from that point on.

WILDLIFE

1. California allows the use of dogs to hunt Bears and Bobcats. What would be your response if called upon to decide whether this practice should continue?

WILDLIFE 1. ANSWER:

I do not believe in gun use either in the city or the wild. I am not a hunter in either capacity. If this question refers to the use of dogs to hunt bears and bobcats for sport them I am certainly opposed to such. If a Bear or a Bobcat has strayed into a human populated environment and a dog is needed to safely track the bear or bobcat to release the animal back into its non-human populated environment then I am in agreement as long as the dogs, bears and bobcats are not injured in the process. In addition, I would pass legislation to outlaw hunting of so called wild animals living in their so called wild environment.

2. Constituents often complain of their cats being killed by coyotes. What would you say to such a constituent? What agency do you believe is responsible for the behavior of coyotes in California?

WILDLIFE 2. ANSWER:

Unfortunately, people are not leaving animals with enough of their own natural habitat and therefore coyotes are wandering into the areas with humans and their pets, i.e., cats. This would be the response I would give to my constituents and assure them that I am doing everything in my power to safeguard and protect the wildlife habitats/evironments of animals. I know that my friend's cat was killed by a coyote in the Hollywood Hills and that is how I consoled her. Twenty-three years ago a coyote walked up to me on Sunset Boulevard in Hollywood. Just recently a coyote walked in front of me near Ventura Boulevard in the San Fernando Valley. If these are not omens that we are lending our hand to the extinction of many species then I do not know what is. I believe the Senate Committee on Evironment and Public Works is responsible for the natural behavior of coyotes in California.

3. As urban centers expand into formerly undesirable areas of their surrounding landscape, wildlife/human interactions become increasingly frequent. This expansion creates a potentially dangerous environment for human and animal alike. My response to this as an elected official would be:

WILDLIFE 3. ANSWER:

I answered this question in my response to the last question. Once again, unfortunately, people are not leaving animals with enough of their own natural habitat. Therefore, animals are wandering into the areas with humans, vice versa, and neither are safe. This would be my response as an elected official as I would assure my constituents that we as a responsible society must preserve the habitats of animals and that I am doing everything in my power to do so.

FARMED ANIMALS

1. There is a tradition of humane slaughter of food animals in this country since 1869. Recently, there have emerged markets where live animals are housed and slaughtered outside of slaughterhouse zones and in in humane ways. My response to this as an elected official would be:

FARMED ANIMALS 1. ANSWER:

No way of killing is humane would be my response to this question as an elected official. Farmed animals, and birds alike have a family and feel pain and joy just as humans do. I do NOT eat animal or bird. I do not purchase leather goods and I do not support companies that test their products on animals. In fact I produce a cable television program for the last 8 years, California Politics which educates the public on kindness to animals, and not eating animal or bird. I have written a letter to Secretary Mike Johanns, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture regarding the inspection of Agriculture (USDA) Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) and to enforce the Humane Methods of Slaughter Act (HMSA) which requires that all livestock are treated humanely at all times. I have also written to U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein regarding the Downed Animal Protection Act (S.1779).

ANIMALS IN RESEARCH

1. What is pound seizure? Do you support it?

ANIMAL IN RESEARCH 1. ANSWER:

NO! I do NOT support pound seizure. Pound seizure is no different than any holocost concentration camp where tests are performed on humans against their will. I donate to, In Defense of Animals.

2. The media has recently covered cases of pet animals being cloned. Would you support the licensure of such business practices?

ANIMAL IN RESEARCH 2. ANSWER:

I am opposed to any animal cloning. Scientific studies have proven that animals who are cloned often die within the first few days, live shorter life spans with severe health problems, medical conditions, illnesses. The animals suffer and are born with physical deformities. I do NOT support the licensing of such business practices.

3. In spite of considerable existing legislation and regulation regarding humane treatment of animals in research laboratories, both university and corporate, evidence continues to accumulate indicating that violations occur both in terms of experiment design and in the logistics of care and handling, even in these reputable institutions. What is your position on this?

ANIMAL IN RESEARCH 3. ANSWER:

I am opposed to use of animals in research laboratories. I am a member of AAVS (American Anti-Vivisection Society) and other animal welfare organizations. Once again, this is the twenty-first century and there is NO need to experiment on animals. I have written numerous letters to U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein in regard regarding the Captive Primate Safety Act (S. 1509) and non comsumption of horse meat, Federal : Foreign-Owned Horse Slaughter Plants Slaughter Ban. Animal cloning is a manner of animal research which I oppose. Pet cloning is invasive with numerous injections of hormones as well as surgically implanted embryos. The cloned offspring are also often removed via Caeserian section, if miscarriage has not already occurred. Animal cloning, genetic engineering is NOT humane!

COMPANION ANIMALS

1. Los Angeles has recently passed a law prohibiting tethering of dogs. Should dog tethering for extended periods be allowed in California?

COMPANION ANIMALS 1. ANSWER:

Dogs should NOT be tethered for extended periods of time in California or anywhere else.

2. Some animal rights organizations have suggested that it would be beneficial to license cats as well as dogs. In addition, it has been suggested that cats should be kept indoors at all times rather than being allowed to roam. What should be expected of a responsible cat owner?

COMAPANION ANIMALS 2. ANSWER:

I believe it would be beneficial for animal licenses to keep track of ownership of pets, dogs and cats. As for keeping pets indoors, one must consider the safety of the dog and cat as well as whether we are talking about a city or a suburb. As mentioned in the previous questions answer, there are concerns of coyotes attacking and killing cats. Cats like to roam but it should be the the concern of a responsible pet owner to decide if the environment the cat, or dog will be roaming in will be safe for the pets and the neighbors and it is very important they take into Considereration if the animal/pet they are allowing to raom has already been spayed or neutered.

3. Mandatory micro-chipping of animals sold in California could make it possible for local officials to track ownership and responsibility for pets. If elected, would you author such an idea?

COMPANION ANIMALS 3. ANSWER:

If elected I would author state funding if a responsible pet owner considers micro-chipping their pet for the animals safety. I oppose mandatory micro-chipping of animals because first animals and then people. Micro-chipping an animal should be the choice of the animals owner/caretaker in regard to the situation involving the environment of the animal such as city dwelling pets, suburb or farm If the animal roams freely, it is my consideration a responsible animal/pet owner would consider micro-chipping them for the pets own safety.

4. A bill signed in October by Governor Schwarzenegger prohibits the breeding of pit bulls in California. My response as an elected official to breed specific legislation would be:

COMPANION ANIMALS 4. ANSWER:

As an elected official I would oppose breed specific legislation. Pit Bulls have gotten a bad rap. All people and animals have issues and Pit Bulls are no different. Pit Bulls are as loving as any other animal.

5. The number of pets bred and sold in California's communities exceeds the number of permanent homes by over 1 million a year. The cost to the taxpayers for apprehension and destruction of these animals is currently over $120 million. Spaying and neutering does reduce the number of animals born, but other sources of animals from pet shops, volitional and accidental breeders and sexually active abandoned animals prevent demand from equaling supply. How would I solve this problem for the people of my district?

COMPANION ANIMALS 5. ANSWER:

I do NOT believe in pet stores and puppy mills. There are plenty of healthy animals in need of a loving home. I will pass legislation to enforce criminal penalties for not only obvious cruelty to animals but intentional breeding for sale which in itself is a cruelty to others animals deprived of a loving caring home. Spaying and neutering is obviously necessary unless the animal in question is a show animal. I have volunteered for Best Friends Catnippers for twelve consecutive months to help have cats spayed and neutered. Spaying a female cat eliminates the heat cycle and ceases unwelcome visits. Neutering cats stops the mating drive and the urge to roam; mounting is reduced. I support state funding to have pets spayed and neuterd before they can be licensed, as well as funding for licensing. Fact is spaying and neutering prevents breast cancer in dogs and cats, neutering prevents enlarged prostate glands in older dogs, spaying eliminates uterine disease, ovarian cysts, miscarriage and complications in delivery. I have volunteered to walk and socialize with rescue dogs at Pet Orphans until their eventual adoption and I look forward to volunteer word with The Linda Blair Wordheart Foundation for which I already pass out flyers.

FERAL CATS

1. Most urban communities in California are inhabited by colonies of feral (wild) cats. These animals often live in marginal health, are alleged to reduce wild bird populations, reproduce to the extent to which their environs will support them, and are often fed by caring individuals who may not always be able to afford to trap spay and neuter them. My response to this as an elected official would be:

FERAL CATS 1. ANSWER:

As previously mentioned, I have volunteered to help with spaying and neutering cats at Best Friends Catnippers. As an elected official I would propose more state funding for organizations such as Best Friends Catnippers as well state funding for spaying and neutering if an individual has a feral cats they want to have spayed or neutered.

"No-Kill"

1. Many major metropolitan cities throughout the United States have implemented programs aimed at reducing or eliminating euthanasia as a means of animal control. This so-called "No-Kill" movement has many different proponents advocating many different approaches. Primary in this debate is the underlying definition of "No-Kill." My definition of "No-Kill" can be best described as:

"NO-KILL" 1. ANSWER:

My definition of no kill means that no animal will be euthanized.

ANIMAL CRUELTY

1. In recent years, many local governments have come under fire from the humane community for failing to prosecute cases of animal cruelty within their jurisdiction. How would you respond to the request for increased prosecutions of animal cruelty cases?

ANIMAL CRUELTY 1. ANSWER:

This is a difficult problem but must be dealt with one step at a time having faith in an upward arc toward justice for all animals. Prosecuting cases of animal cruelty must be enforced not only on the local, state level but federal level as well. As an elected California State Assembly Official I will stand firm to my convictions for the humane treatment of all animals. Our society is vastly disappointed with so many politicians as of late, viewing them as weak. I am not weak. My reputation to stand by my word precedes me; integrity means forthrightness in expressing one's principles. A public official has the duty to "refine and enlarge the public views," as James Madison said. Our society needs people that stand by their word such as Gandhi and Martin Luther King who will stand by their convictions to educate the public that their beliefs are for a better society, for all humans and animals alike.

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Personallay completed by Mark Gonzaga, May 13, 2006.

Endorsement received: May 14, 2006.