Representative Amy Paulin has been lauded in the past for authoring anti-bullying legislation and fighting for domestic violence victims' rights. But this week, the New York State assemblywoman was bestowed with an unlikely nickname by a Facebook group that opposes A05449A, a Paulin-sponsored bill that aims to "amend the agriculture and markets law, in relation to the treatment and disposition of lost, stray or homeless animals."
The moniker? Amy "Quick Kill" Paulin.
A05449A, which aims to create a list of approved animal rescue organizations who could adopt from shelters and improve animal care and treatment, has also been amended to allow euthanasia to be performed on "certain specified animals suffering irremediable physical or psychological pain" or to "certain specified animals to alleviate a contagious, deadly health conditions, or if the owner…has given his or her written consent to such destruction."
"A05449A, sponsored by Assemblywoman Amy Paulin...prevents animal rescue and gives shelters the power to needlessly kill animals upon arrival to their shelter based on an appearance of 'psychological pain' without any holding period," wrote creators of the "Assemblywoman 'Quick Kill' Amy Paulin" Facebook page.
The Facebook group has gained over 500 members and 1,000 wall posts since its inception on Feb. 2, 2012 -- and disparaging comments aimed toward A05449A, which has received support from the American Society for the Prevention for Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), have flown fast and furious since the bill was voted on in the NYS Assembly Agricultural Committee on Wednesday and passed by a vote of 16-6.
"I've seen shelter works put down a dog with an open wound on its foot because 'it was cancer' -- it was not," commented Facebook user Lisa Moretti. "This is a slippery slope and will result in far too many animals needlessly being put to death when homes could be found for them."
Various online groups and websites have formed petitions and composed ads to run in Westchester community newspapers exhorting readers to express opposition toward the bill.
When contacted by Scarsdale Patch, Paulin was currently unavailable for comment.
Editor's Note: An original quote taken from the "Amy 'Quick Kill' Paulin" Facebook group inacccurately stated that the ASPCA wrote Bill A05449A. Scarsdale Patch has removed the information from the article.
