AR-News: (US WA) One person can change state law

[Animalara2003 at aol.com]

Never let it be said that one person cannot make a difference.Robert 
Kavanaugh, a Lacey-area resident, has rewritten the state's animal cruelty law.

He had some help along the way, of course, but he and his 2-year-old Labrador 
retriever, Smoky Bear, are the story behind the new law. 
Last December, Kavanaugh was out walking his dog when Smoky Bear disappeared 
into the woods. Kavanaugh heard a yelp and discovered that the black Lab had 
swallowed a triple-barbed hook. Kavanaugh discovered that three large hooks had 
been attached to a nylon strap that was draped around a pile of wood. The 
hooks were baited in an effort to capture coyotes. 
With the help of a vet, Kavanaugh was able to remove the hooks from Smoky 
Bear, who today appears none the worse for the frightening ordeal. 
However, Fish and Wildlife officials said the man who set the coyote bait 
station apparently broke no game law. 
Kavanaugh knew that was wrong and prepared to take his case to the 2004 
Legislature. 
Unbeknownst to him, Sen. Karen Fraser, D-Thurston County, started working on 
a bill the moment she saw the story about Smoky Bear in The Olympian. 
"I read that story and thought, 'This is simply awful,' " Fraser said. 
The result was Senate Bill 6560. 



full story:

http://www.theolympian.com/home/news/20040408/opinion/22179.shtml 
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