A Governor’s Tale (Tail)
California cows a little happier, as Governor reverses himself on Twitter attack

SACRAMENTO -- Senate Majority Leader Dean Florez (D-Shafter) today announced the signing of legislation to prevent needless cruelty to California’s “happy cows,” a surprise move after Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger directed much derision at the measure.

When Senate Bill 135 came up for a vote in the Assembly Agriculture Committee in July, Schwarzenegger directed a great deal of energy and resources toward mocking the bill, sending staff to videotape the hearing and post the recording on YouTube and posting several comments to his Twitter account, much to the chagrin of animal rights’ activists and the millions of California voters who supported Proposition 2.

Senate Bill 135 bans the cruel and painful practice of crudely amputating the tails of dairy cattle, usually without anesthetic.  Veterinarians and responsible dairy farmers agree the practice serves no useful purpose in terms of food safety, but is merely a convenience to the person doing the milking and may save a few lost drops of milk.  Taildocking deprives cows of their natural defense against flies and increases the risk of infection.

At the time of the July hearing, Florez responded to the Governor’s antics saying, “I do not understand why the Governor would spend his time and the state’s resources mocking the prevention of animal cruelty.  For my part, I am proud to have introduced the bill, thankful that it passed, and continuing to focus on my work to help prevent the state from going to IOUs.  I can’t imagine the Governor doesn’t have better things to do with his time as well during this crisis.”

Florez is grateful the Governor had the intestinal fortitude to reverse himself -- despite his very public comments -- and recognize the value of promoting a society that treats the animals we depend on for sustenance with respect.  Florez also expressed his gratitude to the Humane Society of the United States for the efforts of the organization and its many members to impress upon Schwarzenegger that message.

“The Governor clearly got the message that Californians don’t consider animal cruelty a laughing matter,” Florez said.  “Obviously the Governor is able to multi-task -- signing bills and negotiating water – just as the Legislature was continuing to make progress on the many issues facing Californians this summer as we negotiated a budget.”

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