A trio of bipartisan lawmakers are taking advantage of the controversy over a passage in South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem’s upcoming book in which she recounts having to put down her dog after it had become dangerous. In response, the members of Congress have announced the formation of the Congressional Dog Lovers Caucus.
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The group, established on Thursday, supposedly seeks to foster a “shared love of dogs.” But, promoting love for dogs is not all these lawmakers are up to with this seemingly innocent initiative.
Reps. Jared Moskowitz (D-FL), Nancy Mace (R-SC), and Susan Wild (D-PA) made the announcement via a press release and on social media.
Rep. Moskowitz, in a post on X, wrote, “In light of recent events, we’re launching the Congressional Dog Lovers Caucus today!” He explained that the group “aims to foster bipartisan cooperation and will help put paws over politics.”
The other two lawmakers also celebrated the move, The Hill reported:
“While Congress might disagree on everything, we can all agree that dogs are beloved companions, bringing us all so much joy,” Mace said in a press release obtained by The Hill. “We started this caucus to champion legislation that protects the rights and well-being of dogs, ensuring they receive the care, respect, and recognition they deserve.”
Wild also said that “few unite Americans as much as our love for our dogs.”
“In a time of polarization and partisanship, I’m proud to join my colleagues from both sides of the aisle and commit to working on behalf of our pets, who give us so much joy and comfort every day,” Wild said in the press release.
But this new caucus isn’t just about celebrating pooches. This trio will also use this as an opportunity push legislation to protect “animal rights.”
The caucus, described as an “informal, bipartisan group,” plans to champion legislation aimed at protecting dogs and recognizing the “companionship, friendship, family, and health benefits” they offer. According to Nancy Mace, the group will not only celebrate dogs as beloved companions but will actively push for legislative action to ensure the “care, respect, and recognition they deserve.”
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This sounds like one of those wonderful, touchy-feely type of initiatives intended to give us the warm fuzzies. However, if the caucus is going to push an animal rights agenda as Mace suggested, it could be more nefarious than it might seem – especially for dog owners.
There is already plenty of legislation at the federal, state, and local levels, and these laws are often abused to attack people’s property rights.
In Kentucky, lawmakers are mulling a bill that would further outline procedures for dogs deemed “vicious” by the court – especially when the owner is found incompetent to stand trial. The law is ostensibly intended to protect people from aggressive animals. In essence, it would allow the authorities to seize an animal without due process if it is accused of being “vicious,” which essentially amounts to a red flag law for pets. It could empower the government to take someone’s property without going through the proper processes.
Read More: Rural Animal Owners Group Sounds Alarm on Proposed ‘Red Flag Law’ in Kentucky for ‘Vicious’ Dogs
In Hot Springs County, Arkansas, Jose Gudino faced a harrowing experience with local law enforcement over false allegations of animal cruelty. He came home from work one evening, and found police officers on his property. They accused him of mistreating his dogs and fighting his chickens. Neither allegation was accurate.
Read More: Arkansas Man’s Nightmare: Law Enforcement Threatens Jail Time Over False Animal Cruelty Allegations
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The Congressional Dog Lovers Caucus might seem like a cute endeavor. But if this trio of lawmakers intends to push even more federal legislation aimed at dogs–and dog owners–it could result in even more abuses of property rights.