House Republican Press Release

March 25, 2008

Press Office: 860-240-8700

SPEAKER APPOINTS REP. CHAPIN TO ANIMAL CRUELTY TASK FORCE

On Thursday, March 20, Speaker of the House Jim Amann, D-Milford, named Rep. Clark Chapin, R-New Milford to an eight-member task force to address animal abuse incidents and their effect on human behavior.

According to Speaker Amann, data clearly shows a future penchant for violent behavior among young people that abuse animals. The FBI uses animal abuse as one of the four indicators of future violent behavior. There are also studies of battered women who indicate that their pets were also abused.

The task force will work to determine ways to reach such youths early to help prevent tragedies down the road as they grow into adults. It will meet between now and December and solicit comments and information from the public and experts on how to prevent some of the tragedies that have been reported in the media in recent months. The task force will then report to the legislature with recommendations.

"I'm pleased to appoint Rep. Chapin to serve on the task force," said Speaker Amann. "He has proven himself a thoughtful legislator and his animal science background will be an asset to the panel."