Wilk, Stern get ‘A’ rating from animal rights committee

State senators Scott Wilk, RSanta Clarita, and Henry Stern, D-Canoga Park, were announced as “A-rated” Sacramento legislators by the PawPac, a political action committee that works to endorse politicians who support protections for animals.

The grades were distributed based on the senators’ individual support or authorship of at least eight bills — all of which involved particular protections for animals and/or pets — that made the Senate floor in the 2018 legislative season.

“The idea that someone could hurt an animal — or that something we allow could endanger one — is chilling, which is why I introduced legislation last year to crack down on animal abusers. PawPAC does good work for the animals of California,” Wilk said in a statement released Friday. “I am one human that is honored to have my efforts recognized and will continue to advocate for policies that support the humane treatment of animals.”

Stern was commended by the organization for not only voting in favor of a number of the bills the organization used as a meter for their support, but also Stern’s SB 1487 “Iconic African Species Act” was labeled as an “important bill that had not made it through the legislative process.”

If the governor had not vetoed Stern’s legislation, SB 1487 would have changed California law to prohibit the possession or sale of 11 African species, including their body parts or products. The legislation targeted “trophy hunting.”

According to PawPac’s website, the committee was formed in 1980, becoming California’s first organization whose mission is to influence candidates who are running for state office to work toward creating laws that protect animals.

“PawPac is unique by helping to make sure that the laws protect all animals, whether on farms, in the wild or in our homes,” the organization’s website reads.