Ohio Farms, Animals - Including Dogs and Exotics

On June 30,2010,Governor Ted Strickland, along with Ohio Farm Bureau, announced a deal had been made with the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS).  In exchange for not filing a ballot initiative potentially affecting livestock in Ohio, Governor Strickland enacted an emergency ban on the listed exotic animals the day before he left office.  Such cowardly tactics did not go unnoticed by many paying attention to the “agreement” and what it would cause, while HSUS continued their course of claiming animal rights cloaked as animal “welfare.”

In most circles, what HSUS did to make the deal would be considered blackmail. “You give us the exotic animals listed and dog breeders and we’ll not bully you with the initiative and ruining your reputation with carefully edited video and campaigns against raising livestock” - is what many heard upon hearing of the deal.

 

Many, farmers included, felt betrayed by the deal being made with HSUS. Governor Strickland previously publicly denouncing HSUS, along with Ohio Farm Bureau’s statements about HSUS, left many with their heads spinning. How could they do this? Making deals with the devil never end well, for anyone involved – except the devil himself.

Personally knowing many farmers and at one time being involved in farming, raising feeder calves and finishing steers, gave me a perspective from both sides,  as an owner of the listed exotics. Riding a fence WILL leave splinters in your rear. Often, it gives a view into what is right and what is wrong and why it is wrong. THIS “deal” was very wrong, not indicative of the integrity I know the majority of farmers to have, and disgusting to exotic owners and dog breeders across the country.

Many people are beginning to realize the similarities between all types of livestock, animal use- from pet to plate – and while this may sound odd to group “pet” and “plate,” I assure you, the animal rights agenda view the use of animals for pets as offensive as eating meat. Incrementally working toward no animal use is a real goal; they have strategies, tactics, attorneys, networks, and money. They have been working steadily while most farmers, dog breeders and exotic owners work hands-on with their animals every day. Never suspecting such a fundamental way of life, including our diets and choice of pet, is under attack.

Visiting Ohio farmers, exotic owners and dog breeders to frequently give a look into the people involved - those living and working with the animals, making a living for their families - will show the similarities amongst all of us. Interspersed with other cases, incidents of how the HSUS has slowly gained control of animal use of every kind will likely prove a very interesting project.