Statement on the Scheduling of a Public Hearing for the PAWS Act

Today I released the following statement regarding Senate Bill 1914, An Act Protecting Animal Welfare and Safety (the PAWS Act), which has been scheduled for a public hearing on April 24^th at 1:30pm in hearing room A-2 of the State House by the Joint Committee on the Judiciary:

“News that a long awaited public hearing for the PAWS Act has been scheduled is indeed good.  Sadly the heinous crimes against Puppy Doe, a dog who was left beaten, battered, and alone in a Quincy Park, is far from the first animal to be cruelly tortured.  Multiple examples exist across the Commonwealth, and now is the time for the legislature to act swiftly to take action against those who commit such heinous crimes.

The scheduling of Thursday’s hearing is a call to action for legislators, public officials, organizations, and all who care about animal welfare in our Commonwealth.  With limited time remaining in this legislative session we must deliver a united, clear, and compelling message that the legislature needs to act in a bold and decisive way to confront senseless acts of cruelty with strong penalties for abusers and a comprehensive system to prevent abuse and assist animals in distress.”

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* The PAWS Act (Protecting Animal Welfare and Safety) seeks to expand the penalties for animal abuse and cruelty and to create a statewide animal abuse registry.  It was filed on October 7, 2013, and has 76 total sponsors of the bill.  A copy of the bill text and summary is attached.

An Act Protecting Animal Welfare and Safety (the PAWS Act)

Summary of An Act Protecting Animal Welfare and Safety (PAWS) by Troy Wall

Media Alert: Tonight’s Broadside

Tonight I will be a guest on NECN’s Broadside, where I’ll be discussing with Senator Michael Barrett and host Jim Braude the tragic case of Jeremiah Oliver, and the possible ramifications that could result from the Department of Children and Families’ failure to monitor and protect this family and this child.

Please tune in to NECN at 6:00pm to watch this evening’s discussion.

Media Alert: On the Air with Fox 25

Please tune in tonight at 6:45pm on Fox 25, where I will be discussing the latest developments regarding the tragic case of Jeremiah Oliver, and what this could mean for the Department of Children and Families.

Happy Easter

I would like to wish all of my constituents a wonderful and happy Easter that is celebrated with friends and family, and let us not forget those who proudly serve this great nation abroad, and away from their family to continue protecting our way of life.

Happy Easter!

Media Alert: On the Air with Fox 25

Tonight I will once again be a guest on the Fox 25 Evening News to discuss a measure contained within a transportation bond bill that will result in Massachusetts turnpike toll-takers acquiring an additional five years of added service toward their pensions as they are being phased out.

Please tune in tonight at 5:15pm to watch what will surely be a lively conversation.

Staying Boston Strong

Today marks the one year anniversary of the tragic Boston Marathon bombings that left us all wounded and scarred due to the horrific actions of terrorists.  The attack on Boston shook the very core of our society, triggering great concern for our safety and the safety of our loved ones. 

Sadly the bombs took the lives of Krystal Marie Campbell, Lu Lingzi, and Martin William Richard, and during the manhunt to catch the suspects, we lost MIT Police Officer Sean Collier.  In total another 264 people were injured near the marathon’s finish line, many of whom lost limbs.

An act of terror is meant to intimidate, as much as it is meant to kill and maim; however, what the terrorists failed to contemplate was the strength of Bostonians and the people of Massachusetts.  With the assistance of public safety officials, first responders, hospital personnel, government agents, volunteers, and people from around the country and the world, we grew stronger as we united together. 

No matter how hard terrorists try to break down our society and our values as Americans, they will never breach our trust and faith in one another, and although a year has passed since the events of that infamous day occurred, we remain Boston Strong, and I couldn’t be more proud.

Happy Passover

With Passover commencing tonight, it is my hope that all of my Jewish friends and constituents have a wonderful holiday surrounded by friends and family, and that your time together is filled with peace and happiness.