September
2001
The
NYC Mayoral Candidates on Animals
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The following are statements made by each
of the four Democratic mayoral candidates on the Center for Animal Care
and Control (CACC) and other animal issues. These were in response to
a letter/questionnaire distributed by Elizabeth Forel of the Coalition
for New York City Animals, Inc.
FERNANDO FERRER
"FERRER ON ANIMAL RIGHTS"
I am running to be Mayor of all New York, and I include the pets and
animals under our care within that definition—including my own
pet Cocker Spaniel, Winston. We are all responsible for the compassionate
exercise of our stewardship of animals, in both domestic and natural
settings. New Yorkers license over 80,000 dogs a year. There are over
a million dogs and their owners in our city and probably twice as many
cat owners.
My administration will work to address three animal issues that require
immediate attention in New York: a) animal population control through
spaying and neutering, b) expansion of receiving centers, and c) animal
neglect and cruelty. Once elected, I will establish a committee of knowledgeable
and experienced animal advocates to make recommendations on policy issues
affecting animals, including the reform of the City's animal shelter
system.
It is indeed unfortunate that tens of thousands of dogs and cats are
euthanized each year due to overpopulation. An effective spaying and
neutering program is key to reducing animal kill rates. I would like
the City to strive for zero kills through better public education and
innovative public/private partnerships in the provision of animal care.
Since the ASPCA will no longer be responsible for operating the City's
animal shelter system, we have an opportunity to reform our Center for
Animal Care and Control and provide it with new leadership and vision.
The animal control program implemented in San Francisco is of interest
and may provide a guide for New York City to follow.
Under my administration, full-service, full-time pet receiving centers
will be established in each borough. In addition to serving as receiving
centers, they will also house low-cost clinics for pets.
In view of the increased violence in schools nationwide, and the established
link between animal cruelty and human violence, Humane Education should
be an important part of the New York City school curriculum.
The working conditions of carriage horses in our city deserve our continued
attention and support. A thoroughgoing review of the current situation
with an eye to improving their working and living conditions may well
be in order. Such a review should consider the larger environmental
issues and traffic patterns in midtown that constrain navigation for
automobiles, humans, and animals alike. In the meantime, we must continually
inspect how the carriage horses are cared for to ensure that they are
treated humanely. Cruelty and abuse to animals will not be tolerated
in my administration.
MARK GREEN
"ANIMAL CONTROL POLICY PAPER"
New York needs to make sure that animals placed in the City's care are
provided with the best care possible. Here's how:
Reforming Center for Animal Care and Control and Increasing Adoptions
In 1999, Public Advocate Mark Green wrote to the Commissioner of
the Department of Health, Neal Cohen, urging him to look into allegations
of mistreatment of the animals in shelters run by CACC. Mark was disturbed
by the fact that animals in CACC's care were more likely to be euthanized
than adopted. Mark wrote "every effort should be made to bring
future pet owners together with available dogs and cats." In instances
where pets are housed by CACC for long periods, Mark believes that the
DoH should require CACC to provide appropriate and humane housing for
all animals in its care.
Mark recommends the CACC take a more innovate and aggressive approach
towards pet adoption. He suggested posting of photos of available pets
on a website, since many of CACC's shelters are in difficult to reach
neighborhoods. The CACC has since instituted this practice. Mark will
closely examine the feasibility of placing facilities in more accessible
neighborhoods. San Francisco has provided an excellent model in the
care of animals. They have instituted a "no-kill" policy.
This is clearly the ideal, and New York should investigate how to move
toward such a policy.
As Mayor, Mark will explore ways to increase the rate of adoption for
animals in CACC shelters. Established organizations like B.A.R.C. and
the North Shore Animal League have had success in public service campaigns
educating New Yorkers about the need to spay and neuter pets and adopting
from shelters and the CACC.
The CACC requires steady leadership and Mark will appoint a director
who is committed to improved care of the animals housed by CACC and
who has administrative expertise.
Spaying and Neutering
In 1999, Mark suggested that to help keep the unwanted animal population
down, CACC should not place any animal in a rescue shelter unless the
animal has been spayed or neutered first. In addition to lowering the
number of potential stray animals, this measure reduces costs at CACC
and the DoH by limiting the number of animals they will have to care
for in the future. The City Council is planning to fund a van to travel
throughout the City and offer low cost sterilization services. As Mayor,
Mark will closely evaluate the success of this program.
ALAN HEVESI—from letter dated 7/16/01
"Please note that our office is in the process of auditing
CACC's operation, which will include a look at the conditions at the
shelters and efforts made to facilitate the adoption of animals. A final
report is expected in late summer or early fall.
Significantly, while he cannot comment before the audit is complete,
Comptroller Hevesi wants you to know that he will be looking closely
at the recommendations of his auditors and fully expect CACC to implement
them in such a way as to ensure the safety and humane treatment of pets."
PETER VALLONE
Cat and Dog Overpopulation
I am a firm believer in spaying and neutering and as Mayor will
work to increase the number of animals in the City who are spayed or
neutered. During my tenure as Speaker of the New York City Council,
I sponsored legislation requiring that animals leaving shelters and
sold in pet stores be spayed and neutered. This legislation also mandated
that each borough have at least one full-time service shelter, which
is intended to help increase adoptions and spaying/neutering, while
reducing euthanasia. Subsequently, the State passed legislation limiting
the spay/neuter requirement to shelters only. I know that public awareness
campaigns often prove successful in educating and altering people's
behavior and therefore targeting an awareness campaign for pet-related
issues should be explored.
CACC
I believe that the Executive Director of the CACC should be a professional
who has experience. The CACC should also develop a plan to improve the
way the CACC functions and incorporate methods to reduce the number
of animals who are euthanized. City agencies are required to develop
long-term plans, and I believe that CACC would benefit from such long-term
planning as well.
Carriage Horses
AS Speaker of the City Council, I passed a slew of legislation designed
to protect the welfare of carriage horses, the details of which you
are well aware. Now that we have such laws, it is important that they
be enforced and that carriage horses be protected. As Mayor, I will
continue to meet with all interested parties to formulate policies to
promote the welfare and well being of the horses.
AND THE REPUBLICANS?
Satya made repeated phone queries to the offices of Herman Badillo
and Michael Bloomberg, the two Republican candidates for Mayor. As Satya
August 31, their respective offices have failed to respond with statements
of their positions on the CACC and companion animal overpopulation.
We suggest readers contact them directly to find out what their positions
are.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Herman Badillo: Badillo 2001, PO Box 5262, New York, NY 10150; tel.
212-453-3748; www.badillo2001.org.
Michael Bloomberg: Bloomberg for Mayor, 126 E. 56 St., New York,
NY 10022; tel. 212-617-2001; www.MikeforMayor.org.
Fernando Ferrer (Bronx Borough President): People for Ferrer,
611 Broadway, Ste. 210, New York, NY 10012; tel. 212-260-5500; fax 212-260-1628;
www.Ferrer2001.com.
Mark Green (Public Advocate): Friends of Mark Green, 420 Lexington
Ave., Rm. 335, New York, NY 10170, Attn. Richard Schrader, Campaign
Manager; tel. 646-452-1660; www.markgreen.org.
Alan G. Hevesi, New York City Comptroller, Municipal Building,
Rm. 530, Centre St., New York, NY 10007, Attn. Carmen Martinez, Director
of Community Relations & Constituent Services; tel. 212-669-4915;
www.MEBQ.org.
George Spitz (Dem.): George Spitz for Mayor, P.O. Box 6891, New
York, NY 10128; tel. 212-348-2224; www.georgespitz.com.
Peter Vallone (City Council Speaker): Vallone 2001, 373 Park
Ave. So., 8th fl., New York, NY 10016, Attn. Mattis Goldman; tel. 212-791-2001;
www.vallone2001.com.
Click here for the Campaign Finance Board's in-depth 2001 Primary
Election Voter Guide:
www.cfb.nyc.ny.us/election_info/voter_guide/primary_2001/index.htm
