Oklahoma representative asks for stronger poaching laws
This press release came out of the House of Representatives this week. It’s strange to think poaching still happens in America, but it does. Very interesting.
OKLAHOMA CITY – Legislation by state Rep. Pat Ownbey would deter poaching by increasing the fine and mandating that poachers lose their hunting and fishing licenses.
“The current minimum fine of $50 for poaching is so weak that there’s not much point in even enforcing it and a repeat offender is treated the same as a first-time offender,” Ownbey, R-Ardmore, said. “I had a constituent whose horse was shot by a poacher who was illegally hunting deer on the property. This might not have happened if current laws provided for a stricter poaching penalty.”
House Bill 2573 would increase the minimum fine for poaching to $100 and mandate the loss of the poacher’s hunting and fishing licenses for one year. The legislation makes the penalty for a second offense a fine of $500-1000, six months in county jail or both.
“Poaching is a big problem across the state and our current law does a poor job of protecting landowners’ rights. It is costing people money and I think repeat offenders should face stiff penalties that might make them think twice about their behavior,” Ownbey said. “It’s time to put a stop to this illegal activity.”
House Bill 2573 will be eligible for a committee hearing when the Legislature reconvenes on Feb. 6.
Happy Penguin Awareness Day!
Is it really Penguin Awareness Day? You better believe it. Here are some photos to celebrate. Not enough? Click here for some cute children’s crafts in honor of this special day.
Top pet names of 2011
Darn you, Twilight.
Veterinary Pet Insurance Co. recently released its list of the most popular pet names of 2011, and the world’s wimpiest female lead topped the list. Bella is the most popular name for both cats and dogs. Oh come on! It even made it on the bird list! Anyway, here are the list of most popular dog, cat and bird names for last year.
Dogs
- Bella
- Bailey
- Max
- Lucy
- Molly
- Buddy
- Daisy
- Maggie
- Charlie
- Sophie
Cats
- Bella
- Max
- Chloe
- Oliver
- Lucy
- Shadow
- Smokey
- Tiger
- Charlie
- Tigger
Birds
- Charlie
- Max
- Baby
- Sunny
- Buddy
- Jack
- Angel
- Daisy
- Bella
- Coco
New breeder rules approved
The Tulsa World has an interesting story about the Commercial Pet Breeders Board that also ran in our paper today. They approved some rules but backed off on others. Breeders say restrictions are driving them out of business, but animal advocates say the industry needs to be humane. Interesting.
National Bird Day
Today is the 10th annual National Bird Day. This is my tribute:
Dogs at Work stamps
As if the Birds of Prey stamps weren’t enough, the U.S. Post Office is releasing a series of stamps depicting working dogs. The stamps show a guide dog, a tracking dog, a therapy dog and a search and rescue dog standing. Oddly enough, my dogs weren’t depicted doing their best work: napping. Like the Birds of Prey stamps, these will debute Jan. 20. Here’s a look:
Birds of Prey stamps
The U.S. Post Office is releasing a series of stamps depicting birds of prey. They’ll show a northern goshawk, peregrine falcon, golden eagle, osprey and northern harrier. The stamps debute Jan. 20. They’re really beautiful, but they’re 85 cents. How many 85-cent pieces of mail have I sent in my lifetime? I’m pretty sure zero. Now I’ll have to come up will some reason to mail something slightly lighter than a double-letter. Here’s a look at the stamps:
