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Arkansas ballot initiative is risky for sportsmen (10/7/2002)

Voters in Arkansas should oppose a question on the November ballot that will create vague animal cruelty laws and have unintended consequences for sportsmen and our farmer allies.

The U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance warns sportsmen to oppose Arkansas Ballot Initiative 1, the Arkansas Animal Cruelty Act.  On the surface, the initiative appears to strengthen animal cruelty laws.  However, the Arkansas Farm Bureau and the U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance are concerned about its vague wording.

The proposal states, “routine, accepted livestock management practices” would be exempt.  But who decides what “routine, accepted” means? The proposed law could be interpreted in any number of ways by animal rights advocates and used against animal users.

Initiative 1 also establishes animal rights concepts in Arkansas law.  It poses long-term dangers to hunters, anglers, trappers and wildlife managers.

Sportsmen should realize the long-term consequences of Initiative 1 and support the allies we have in farmers and ranchers across the nation.  Arkansas sportsmen should vote “NO” on Ballot Initiative 1.

CopyrightÓ  U.S. Sportsmen's Alliance- www.ussportsmen.org

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