Measure 5 Support Drops in Polls | Video

Jennifer Joas | 11/1/2012

The election is less than a week away, and the fate of one ballot measure appears to be a toss up. Early October poll results indicated 66 percent of people would vote yes for Measure 5, which deals with animal cruelty. But our most recent Mason Dixon poll had opposite results.

Measure 5 would make it a class C felony for any individual to maliciously or intentionally harm a living dog, cat or horse. And both proponents and opponents can agree they both care about animals.

"The bond that you create with an animal is just very unique and the thought that anyone would maliciously or intentionally hurt an animal that has no defense against you, or against that act, is just unthinkable to me," said Jane Marum, North Dakotans to Stop Animal Cruelty.

North Dakota is one of two states that do not have felony charges. The measure would not apply to the agriculture industry, hunters or anglers. But despite their love of animals, the North Dakota Animal Stewards don`t support the measure.

"Any type of animal treatment legislation should be something that`s comprehensive, meaningful, clear in its definitions and should be something that`s applicable across all species," said Julie Ellingson, North Dakota Animal Stewards.

Opponents also worry that measure five would stand in the way of another draft bill that the North Dakotans for Responsible Animal Care have been planning on presenting to the legislature during the next session.

Both sides aren`t going to agree. But with the latest poll numbers showing 49 percent of people now oppose the measure, North Dakotans to stop animal cruelty encourage voters to read the initiative in it`s entirety, so they are informed on election day.

For more information on Measure 5 visit www.ndstopcruelty.com, or for the opponents www.ndanimalstewards.com.

For information on the upcome legislative draft bill log on to ndanimalcare.com.

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