Senator Avella Honored by HSUS With Humane Legislator Award

Albany, NY   -   On Tuesday, April 12th. State Senator Tony Avella was presented with the Humane Legislator Award by the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) for his dedication to animal-friendly legislation. The award, which is awarded to one elected official a year for their commitment to animal welfare, was presented by Brian Shapiro, the New York State Director for HSUS.

Senator Avella has fought tirelessly to pass legislation that would protect animals. Named after the death of Cecil the Lion which drew world-wide coverage, Avella’s bill “Cecil’s Law” would ban the import, sale, transportation and possession of some of Africa’s most vulnerable species which are killed and taken as trophies. The legislation has received support from many animal rights organizations and has been reintroduced this legislative session.

Avella also received widespread activist support for his Mute Swan Bill. The Department of Environmental Conservation’s assessed mute swans as an invasive species which pose a threat to surrounding wildlife and drew criticism from animal-rights groups when it decided to take lethal action against the mute swan population. Senator Avella has carried the fight against EDC’s proposal to Albany where he has introduced the Mute Swan Bill. Avella’s legislation would prevent EDC from euthanizing the population unless substantial evidence can be provided to substantiate the threat EDC claims.

“I’m honored to receive this distinction by the Humane Society of the United States. Though they do not have a voice of their own, it is our responsibility to protect animals from abuse and negligence by being their voice. My bill banning the import, sale and possession of game trophies, Cecil’s Law, will be a significant step in curbing the horrific practice that brought the whole world to mourn for Cecil the Lion. There is a lot of work to be done, but I look forward to working with HSUS to have New York make major strides for animal rights,” said State Senator Tony Avella.

 “The Humane Society of the United States, the nation’s largest animal protection organization, is excited to recognize State Senator Tony Avella for all his accomplishments protecting animals in New York State and beyond. He is a true leader in animal protection and we’re both pleased and honored to present him with the annual Humane Legislator Award,” said Brian Shapiro, New York State Director of the Humane Society of the United States.