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Animal welfare news and updates from Nebraska Rescue Council

By Eric Forrest on April 10, 2017

In the latest Nebraska Rescue Council newsletter, one can find news and information regarding the Council’s upcoming meetings, what the Council has been up to, and the progress of legislative going-ons in our state. Here’s a snapshot of what appeared in the newest newsletter.

Meet the Governor!

The Council was recently accepted for inclusion in the Governor’s proclamation signing on April 12, 2017 at 10:00 AM in celebration of National Adopt a Shelter Pet Day. This is a great opportunity to meet the Governor.

Mark Your Calendar for Upcoming Meetings

Saturday, April 29 from 12-1PM at Parkers, located at the Hwy 6 and 63 intersection. Exit 420 on I-80 in Ashland.
Wednesday, May 24 from 6:30-7:30PM at the Market Basket located at 2501 N 90th Street in Omaha.
Saturday, June 24 from 10-11AM at the Scooter’s located at 2901 S 84th St in Lincoln.

An opportunity for rescues in the area

Paws R Us in Gretna is considering allowing another rescue to use their facilities. If your rescue is looking for opportunities to expand, please send an email to president@nerescue.org!

Legislative Updates!

LB440 – Provide immunity from criminal or civil liability for removal of an animal from a vehicle by forcible entry as prescribed (by Senator Anna Wishart). A rescuer may forcibly enter a vehicle to save the life of an animal in distress without facing prosecution as long as they have attempted to find the owner and truly believe the animal will die without intervention.

Public hearing held on March 2 – The Nebraska Rescue Council testified in support! Awaiting the committee to vote on whether to advance the bill to the full legislature for debate.
LB 39 – Prohibits the sale and trade of ivory (by Senator Burke Harr). For the purpose of this bill, ivory is defined as any species of elephant or mammoth or any piece thereof, and the horn of any species of rhinoceros, or any piece thereof. This includes both raw and worked ivory.
Voted out of committee. Awaiting for the speaker to put this on the agenda for debate by the entire legislature.
LB 448 – Eliminate provisions relating to the hunting of mountain lions (by Senator Ernie Chambers). This bill will repeal a 2012 statute authorizing the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission to issue permits for the trophy hunting of mountain lions.
This bill was heard on February 23 – Awaiting the committee to vote on whether to advance the bill to the full legislature for debate.
LB 449 – Repeal the Black-Tailed Prairie Dog Management Act (by Senator Ernie Chambers). This bill will end mandated poisoning as a management method of prairie dogs and their colonies. Voted out of committee. Awaiting the speaker to put this on the agenda for debate by the entire legislature.

LB 491 – Create the offense of fraudulent misrepresentation of a service animal and provide penalties (by Senator John McCollister). Adds penalties for intentionally and fraudulently misrepresenting an animal in his or her possession to be his or her service animal for the purpose of obtaining any of the rights or privileges of a blind or visually impaired person, a deaf or hearing-impaired person, or a physically limited person.
This bill was heard on March 17 – awaiting the committee to vote on whether to advance the bill to the full legislature for debate.

LB 566 – Adopt the Interstate Wildlife Violator Compact (by the Natural Resources Committee). This bill will allow Nebraska to access the national database of criminals who have violated wildlife laws in other states to stop them from getting a hunting license in our state.
This bill has already advanced through two rounds of floor debate and has been placed on Final Reading.
LB 585 – Change provisions relating to dangerous dogs, seizure of animals, and animal control authorities (by Senator LouAnn Linehan). This bill was brought forward by the Nebraska Humane Society. This bill was heard on March 17 – Awaiting the committee to vote on whether to advance the bill to the full legislature for debate.

LB 635 –Change certain violations and penalties under the Game Law (by Senator Bruce Bostelman). This bill will increase criminal penalties for poaching Elk. This bill has been amended into LB566.

You are encouraged to attend any and all public hearings – you are the Second House! You may also watch the hearings online via NET Live.
Keep yourself up to date on all hearings and debate by following the legislative calendar. For more info, visit the Nebraska Rescue Council’s website here.

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