Letter To The Senate

For our class called policy we have been talking more about the legislative branch and how it works. We went all the way back to WW1 and then WW11 vs how it looks today with the current problems that we are going through. We got the chance to speak to someone who is right in the mix of these kinds of things. Her name is Connie Jordan and she is a public defender. When we spoke to her she had some bills that she wanted to pass herself. For this action project we were assigned to choose a bill that has not become a law yet and then write a letter to a senator in our district and explain our issues with the bill. 

 L.I.H

 1535 N Dayton

 Chicago IL 60642

 May,6, 2020

 Senator Emil Jones

 11428 S Union Ave

 Chicago IL 60628

 Dear Emil Jones,

 I am currently a junior at GCE Lab School. I know there is a current bill that is on its way to becoming a law. It is the senate bill number 2995, the animal cruelty penalty.  I think this is a reasonable act, but there are a few things that stand out as issues to me. For one, this bill puts humans and animals on the same level, but this bill doesn’t put companion animals on the same level as stray animals. 

If this bill became a law then it would make crimes against companionship animals on the same level as human murders. The senate wants to make abuse against pets 2nd degree murder which would normally be 4th degree murder. If the pet was killed, they want people to be charged with 1st degree murder instead of 3rd degree murder. Humans and animals aren’t on the same level; therefore, should not be harshly charged. 

In my recollection, a companion is someone or something with whom you spend a lot of time. If the animal is not a companion, does that mean they can be killed and the person will only be charged with 4th degree murder? This bill is unfair to stray animals because it would mean that they can be killed and abused with no regard. In my personal opinion, I don’t believe this law is going to stop people from killing companionship animals. I believe that this law will give people reassurance that they can kill stray animals and get a lower charge. 

Overall, this bill diminishes the life of humans by putting it on the same level as a companion animal. Furthermore, it diminishes the life of a stray animal. I understand that we all just want the best for our animals and our pets, but do we just want to cater to one or do all animals deserve a chance at life? This law is only protecting animals that have owners, and it's neglecting the animals that live in the street. If you think about it, most people go out and hunt and kill random animals. So passing this law in a way just gives people the right to ruthlessly kill innocent animals. I believe this bill had good intentions and people were tired of seeing animals abused, but we forgot about those stray animals that roam the streets at night. If we as humans have the right to life, do they not deserve a chance?

 Sincerely,

Layla Hollis