Greyhounds Win, Prop 2 Passes, and More

Well, friends, it wasn't a dream. We said no to McCain and Palin and yes to Obama and Biden, and although animal issues did not come up much in the presidential campaign, the animals are certainly safer with the gentlemen we elected last night. What a relief.

And as you know, initiatives affecting animals and animal advocacy were on the ballots of a few states. I couldn't be more elated that Question 3 in Massachusetts passed--greyhound racing will end there by 2010! Those of you who live in Massachusetts and voted and those of you who spread the word to Massachusetts voters should be so proud today. A horribly cruel industry is on its way out, thanks to you. You have prevented the torment that would have been experienced by so many dogs who would have continued to be bred, neglected, exploited, and abused, and hundreds if not thousands of dogs currently being exploited by the racing industry in Massachusetts will now finally find relief. Expect updates here as the phaseout progresses.

And of course, Prop 2 in California passed. I am glad that it did, but I am glad that California voters did not vote against it as much as I am glad that they did vote for it. As you know by now, my fear is that because of how the proposition was promoted, many California citizens voted for it thinking it will do more than it will. I worry about a false sense of accomplishment, and I worry about complacency. I worry about people thinking that they have done all they need to do and that cruelty will now stop. I worry about people believing that as of 2015, animal products in California will be "humane" or that meat, dairy, and eggs with labels such as "free-range" and "cage-free" are cruelty-free, when they are not. Please read yesterday's post, "Beyond Prop 2: Continuing the Conversation," for thoughts on what's next.

Other ballot initiatives affecting animals included Oklahoma's Question 742 and Arizona's Proposition 105. Question 742, which sought to making hunting, fishing, and trapping a constitutional right in Oklahoma, unfortunately passed. Arizona's Prop 105, however,  did not pass; it would have made passing ballot initiatives (including initiatives to protect animals) in that state extraordinarily difficult.