Animal lovers set sights on local officials

By Bryan P. Sears
Posted: September 24, 2009

Local elected officials who support deer hunting could be targets at the ballot box next year if one local animal rights activist has her way.

Enid Feinberg, a Phoenix resident who has opposed deer hunting in the Loch Raven reservoir, said she would like to see three county officials unseated in 2010 because of their support of deer hunting — Democratic Sen. Jim Brochin, and Del. Joseph Boteler and Councilman Bryan McIntire, both Republicans.

“Knowing what I know about them, they’re certainly high on my list,” Feinberg said.

Brochin and McIntire have been supportive of expanded deer hunting in the reservoir area. And Boteler sponsored a bill in the General Assembly last year that would have allowed hunting on Sundays on private property in Baltimore County. Boteler’s bill did not pass.

“In my opinion, hunting is legalized animal cruelty,” said Feinberg.

Feinberg said she has joined an organization called  Maryland Votes for Animals. Carolyn Kilborn, who is the only attributed writer on the Web site, was not immediately available for an interview. The site states that the group has “one overriding mission: To create an ever-growing voting bloc of animal advocates who will elect representatives willing to champion and vote for animal protection legislation, and to hold politicians accountable to their constituents.”

The organization lists a Towson mailing address on it’s Web site, but Kilborn lives in Annapolis.

“There’s no way to win for animals other than at the ballot box,” said Feinberg, who said she was speaking for herself, not for Maryland Votes for Animals.

“Our politicians are truly failing us,” Feinberg said.

Feinberg said one strategy could be the formation of a political action committee that could provide financial support to candidates who favor issues such as stronger laws against animal cruelty or are against hunting.

Maryland Votes for Animals formed a political action committee to participate in the 2010 state elections. State Board of Elections records show that Votes For Animals registered as a PAC on June 15. Kilborn is listed as the chairman of the committee, Jared DeMarinis, director of candidacy and campaign finance for the State Board of Elections.

Comment on this entry • View all 5 responses

user traceymonkton says...

I am a registered Republican, and usually, I vote as such. However, after last year's close vote on the Sunday Hunting Bill, there are several Democrats that will now receive my votes and my campaign dollars instead of those Republicans who voted "for" the Sunday Hunting Bill! I am not alone, there are many people who are increasingly aware of those legislators who propose bills which are directly responsible for cruelty towards animals! We are also aware of those in government who don't support important bills which would alleviate animal suffering as well. All one has to do is consider the increasing involvement and power that the Humane Society of the United States has and continues to gain strenght in, within our government. It is truly a sign of the times...people don't want to see animals suffer, we care immensely about issues dealing with animal suffering and cruelty. Hundreds of e-mails were sent out by myself and other concerned citizens of Baltimore County and many other counties, letting others know who voted for and against Sunday Hunting and who voted to open up more land around Loch Raven. In general, many people were quite upset with what our law-makers were proposing and setting into motion with respect to deer hunting. Organizations that support animal rights and promote laws to enforce them, are growing and will continue to do so. Our politicians need to realize this and vote accordingly.

Posted 10:49 AM, 09.24.09

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user donbd says...

Thank you for bringing this to the attention of the people who live around Loch Raven. It has been challenging to say the least this past week dealing with this onslaught of hunters with weapons roaming around. I was on a trail with my two small children on Saturday when one yelled at us to get out of there. People on Loch Raven Drive were just as shocked as I was to be blind sided by this invasion. I appreciate knowing who I won't be voting for again, for ruining the serenity of what was once a beautiful and peaceful place to live. I hope I read incorrectly, they were actually going to allow hunting in Baltimore County on Sunday? I do think they have lost all touch with the citizens they represent. I think this is a great opportunity for Maryland citizens to stand up for the animals and not elect or in this case re-elect them if they cannot or will not make the right decisions.

Posted 11:46 AM, 09.24.09

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user stevetowson says...

If my opinion piece that was published in the Sunpapers today, and the comments that follow online are any indication then This movement will hit a very low ceiling rather quickly. I've posted here before, and substantiated that roughly 75% of the population either participates in, or SUPPORTS hunting, so if these officials want to toss those votes aside for less than 10-15% of the population that objects then they deserve to lose their seats, which they will if they support this agenda. On this topic they are actually doing their jobs by representing the views of the majority of the people, and doing what is right both morally, and ecologically. The emotional reactionaries need to educate themselves beyond what they can learn from PETA, HSUS, and other biased, agenda driven websites that misrepresent the actual facts.

Posted 2:31 PM, 09.24.09

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user stevetowson says...

BTW, this paper has recieved numerous letters, and comentaries from me,(one placed directly on the editor's desk) and refused to print any of them.

Posted 2:43 PM, 09.24.09

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user says...

After 15-20 years of appeasing those who are against hunting, the politicians finally stood up to take notice of what is going on. No longer is the squeaky wheel getting the grease. Too bad it took so long that the forest has been decimated by overbrowsing. It never ceases to amaze me that those who spout off about animal cruelty do so with no regard of the facts. If those who oppose hunting had their way, the negative enviromental impact would be huge. It is now my mission to be sure everyone I know is aware of those politicians who support hunting and its expansion.

Posted 9:14 AM, 09.27.09

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