Humane Society honors two R.I. lawmakers

PROVIDENCE – The Humane Society of the United States has awarded Sen. Dominick Ruggerio, D-North Providence, and Rep. Patricia A. Serpa, D-West Warwick, as Rhode Island’s Humane State Legislators for 2012.
The society annually recognizes state lawmakers across the country who pursue path-breaking, animal-protection legislation and demonstrably advance reform in the policymaking arena.
According to a news release, Ruggerio and Serpa are recognized for their sponsorship of two farm-animal-welfare measures. The first (bans veal crates for veal calves and gestation crates for breeding sows – cages that permanently confine the animals and prevent them from movements, including turning around. The second prohibits cattle tail docking, an “inhumane and unnecessary mutilation.” Both bills were enacted in 2012.
“Sen. Ruggerio and Rep. Serpa have worked steadfastly to end the extreme confinement of breeding sows and veal calves and the tail docking of dairy cows. We are enormously grateful for their tremendous work,” said Matt Dominguez, public-policy manager for farm animal protection for the society. •

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