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NASHVILLE, Tenn. (May 21, 2008)— The Tennessee General Assembly has approved a bill that will save countless animal lives and reduce the number of childhood emergencies with the passage today of HB 2808/SB 2399, The Haley Ham Act, by an overwhelming vote of 85-9.
The bill, which requires an aversive agent be added to antifreeze products, was championed by Rep. Janis Sontany (D-53) and Sen. Raymond Finney (R-8). Sen. Finney introduced the bill after hearing the story of 11-year old Haley Ham from Sevierville, Tenn., who lost her dogs Jessie and Sam when they were intentionally poisoned with antifreeze. The bills are supported by the Humane Society Legislative Fund and The Humane Society of the United States.
"Poisoning occurs with this product because it is often inadvertently spilled in our driveways or left in open containers in our garages," said Sara Amundson, executive director of the Humane Society Legislative Fund. "Six other states have passed some version of this bill, which is both an animal protection and public safety measure. We applaud the Legislature for taking this step to protect Tennessee's children and pets and we encourage Governor Bredesen to sign the bill into law."
The bill would require that engine coolant/antifreeze that is more that 10 percent ethylene glycol must also contain denatonium benzoate, the world's bitterest known substance, to render it unpalatable. Hundreds of children and thousands of animals, including companion animals and endangered species, are accidentally poisoned each year from ingesting antifreeze. Its sweet taste attracts them, but less than a teaspoon can be fatal. One survey found that two out of three veterinarians see at least one accidental ethylene glycol poisoning each year.
"We're very grateful to Representative Sontany and Senator Finney their leadership on this important piece of legislation," said LeighAnn McCollum, Tenn. State Director for The HSUS. "We are also grateful to Haley for her willful determination to see this bill through to the end. It will help prevent many unnecessary deaths every year." --30--
Media contact: Martin Montorfano: 301-258-3152
The Humane Society Legislative Fund is a social welfare organization incorporated under section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code and formed in 2004 as a separate lobbying affiliate of The Humane Society of the United States. The HSLF works to pass animal protection laws at the state and federal level, to educate the public about animal protection issues, and to support humane candidates for office. On the web at www.hslf.org.
The Humane Society of the United States is the nation's largest animal protection organization — backed by 10.5 million Americans, or one of every 30. For more than a half-century, The HSUS has been fighting for the protection of all animals through advocacy, education and hands-on programs. Celebrating animals and confronting cruelty — On the web at humanesociety.org. | 
