In a shocking turn of events, the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court ordered the secretary of state on July 13 not to place the Dog Protection Act on the November 2006 ballot.
Volunteers for the Committee to Protect Dogs, a coalition of organizations including the Animal Rescue League of Boston, GREY2K USA, The Humane Society of the United States, and the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals had gathered and filed more than 150,000 signatures with the attorney general's office to put the measure before voters. The measure sought stronger penalties for abusing law enforcement or service dogs, stronger dogfighting laws authorizing law enforcement to seize dogfighting paraphernalia and breeding dogs, and an end to greyhound racing by 2008.
Dog track owner George Carney, who owns the Raynham-Taunton Greyhound Park, filed a suit to prevent voters from considering the Dog Protection Act in November. The court ruled that the question violated the state constitution, which prohibits citizen initiatives from containing multiple, unrelated subjects. The attorney general's office had approved, and voters have considered, similar multi-issue measures in the past.
"We're extremely surprised and disappointed that Massachusetts voters will not be permitted to vote to protect dogs in November," said Christine Dorchak, chairman of the Committee to Protect Dogs.
"While this is a set back, we will not be deterred," said Michael Markarian, HSUS vice president for External Affairs. "The tremendous success of our signature gathering drive and the incredible support we've received from Massachusetts voters means that we'll be back to ensure that Massachusetts' dogs finally win the protection they deserve. These dogs will have their day."
