Dear Friend to Animals,, Senate Bill 215, which would make New Mexico the second to last state to make bestiality a crime, has been introduced and is waiting for its first hearing in the Senate Health & Public Affairs Committee. While the hearing has not yet been scheduled, it will likely be added to the Committee’s agenda some time in the next week or two. You’re receiving this email because your Senator, Gerald Ortiz y Pino, is the Chair of this Committee and will have a chance to vote on SB 215—and he needs to hear from you! SB 215 is needed in New Mexico because:
- Animals who are sexually abused experience physical and psychological harm, but lack of apparent injuries often mean offenders are not charged with animal cruelty.
- Bestiality offenders frequently also abuse children and other people. In fact, studies have shown 1/3 of bestiality offenders also sexually abuse children, and another 1/3 are found to have child pornography.
- Animal sexual abuse is a crime in 48 other states and in the U.S. Armed Forces.
- The FBI also takes this crime seriously and tracks instances of bestiality in its NIBRS database.
Animal Protection Voters' fact sheet has more information on SB 215. Here's what you can do:
- Please email Senator Ortiz y Pino at jortizyp@msn.com
- Then, during business hours, follow up with a phone call to his Capitol Office: (505) 986-4482 — A secretary will likely answer, so please thank them for taking your call, let them know you are a voter in the Senator's district, and you respectfully urge him to vote yes on SB 215.
Thank you for your advocacy, to help animals, children, and communities! |
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