June/July
2006
A
Seat for the Animals
The Satya Interview with Frank Padavan
By John Phillips
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Credited by many as having introduced animal
rights to the New York State Legislature, State Senator Frank
Padavan (R-Queens) has been twice honored
by the ASPCA and twice endorsed for reelection by the League of Humane
Voters of New York City. Padavan’s commitment to humane legislation
is unwavering; he is, in fact, the Senate sponsor of nearly every animal
rights bill.
First elected in 1972, Senator Padavan has sponsored legislation to ban the force-feeding
of ducks for foie gras, canned shoots, and the anal and genital electrocution
of fur-bearing animals. He has also been working to make cruelty to free-living
animals a felony and to allow seniors to live with pets without fear of eviction,
and the list goes on and on.
In 2003, the same year he was named Vice President of the Republican-led State
Senate, Padavan fought to have his canned shoot bill passed. Governor Pataki
unfortunately decided to veto the bill, which would have stopped the recreational
slaughter of fenced-in animals.
John Phillips, Executive Director of the League of Humane Voters of New York
City, recently spoke with Senator Frank Padavan about his distinguished career
of service for all animals.
Frank, thank you for being an incredible ally for animals over the years. Can
you tell me what sparked your interest in animal rights issues?
Like all children, animals had a special lure for me. When I was five years old,
my father, who worked for the transit system, found a Pekinese-mix dog roaming
the subway tracks. He brought her home and thus began my love affair with canine
friends. On weekends and during the summer, all through high school and college,
I worked for a local veterinarian at the Island Animal Hospital in Hollis, Queens.
It was there that I learned how animals should be treated. The doctors at this
hospital had a lot of faith in me and I became a surgical assistant. I would
administer anesthesia and assisted in spaying and neutering. Also, my daughter
is an avid equestrian, so over the past 25 years I have spent a great deal of
time at horse farms throughout the Northeast, which has been a wonderful experience
for me.
Many advocates are surprised to learn that one of our biggest supporters in the
State Senate is a Republican. People often consider animal protection a liberal
issue. Can you tell me your thoughts on this?
I don’t consider animal protection a liberal or conservative issue. It
depends on the individual legislator and his or her background. When I first
came to Albany, a Republican Assemblyman made me aware of the Metcalf Hatch Act,
which as you know allowed laboratories to take dogs from a kennel and use them
for experimentation. I introduced and signed into law legislation banning this
repugnant practice. I will always be grateful to him for making me aware of this
issue.
What kind of response do you receive from your Republican and Democratic colleagues
when they learn of your support for humane legislation? When it comes to these
issues, which party do you find it harder to win the support of?
Again, I do not consider humane legislation a Republican or Democratic issue.
As a matter of fact, our Majority Leader, Joe Bruno, owns a horse farm and is
married to a lovely lady who is a strong advocate for animal rights; he supports
my efforts with regard to animal legislation. It seems to please him, but more
importantly his wife.
Clearly, Governor Pataki is not a great friend to animals. Were you surprised
when he vetoed your canned shoot bill?
I was surprised and dismayed when Governor Pataki chose to veto the canned shoot
bill. The veto message was ridiculous, to say the least. We are continuing to
pursue this issue. In the meantime, we will give him a chance to redeem himself.
I have introduced and passed in the Senate legislation banning the slaughter
of horses for human consumption. With your help I believe we can pass this bill
in the Assembly and send it to the Governor for his action.
Do you think a Governor Eliot Spitzer will be any better on humane issues?
I hope that whoever is elected governor will do the right thing on humane issues.
In any event, I intend to be here working to convince the new governor that animal
rights legislation is important in any civilized society.
What actions can people take to ensure that humane bills become law?
Besides becoming a member of the League of Humane Voters they can influence the
outcome of legislation by visiting their representative in their district offices
and making them aware of the fact that there are a lot of voters out there who
are animal advocates.
John Phillips is the Executive Director of the League of Humane Voters of
New
York City. For a list of the League’s 2006 endorsements, visit www.humanenyc.orgor call (212) 889-0303. To learn more about Senator
Frank Padavan, contact www.frankpadavan.comor (518) 455-3381.
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