JOSEPH TATNER - United States Congress - District 1
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* Do you or anyone in your immediate family own a dog, cat, ferret, etc.?
Not at the moment, because living in a desert it would not be fair to the animal when I am
gone from the house so often and cannot provide an animal with the proper care and
attention. However, I have owned two ferrets and several dogs and a couple of cats in
the past.
* Do you or anyone in your immediate family hunt, with or without a dog?
I do hunt but never with a dog before.
* Do you support any animal rescue organizations or shelters?
My pets have usually been rescue pets, including two border collies, two cats and the
two ferrets. I am a big supporter of such shelters.
* Do you philosophically support any animal rights or animal protection organizations? If
so,please identify the organizations.
I philosophically support treating animals humanely, but not to the interference of
owners. I am against animal torture and abuse, but do not support extremist groups like
PETA, who essentially believe that humans are subservient to animals. I reject that notion.
* Do any animal rights or animal protection organizations endorse you as a candidate or
financially support your campaign?
No.
* Should Spaying or Neutering of an animal be controlled by the government through
legislation or should it be left between a veterinarian and their client to decide?
I do not believe in any government interference in most cases, certainly not in this case.
An owner should have the right to make his or her choice and not be forced by the
government. If an animal is properly kept in the home, who cares whether or not it is
spayed or neutered other than the owner?
* Do you believe that animal owners should have their status as owners changed to the
status of guardians? As a guardian you do not own your animals, you are strictly a
caretaker?
NO! Every animal owner has an obligation to treat their pet properly, but humans ARE
superior to animals. We are NOT coequals. When a dog can buy a house and let me live in
it and feed me, then we can renegotiate this point.
* Do you support the states' prerogatives to manage their resident wildlife populations
and establish local hunting regulations, without federal interference?
YES! The Constitution clearly enumerates the powers of the Federal Government. I know
the Constitution and I have never seen a line in it about wildlife management.
* Do you believe in peoples rights to own (responsibly) any animal of their choice,
regardless of species: exotic or domestic?
Yes, except for poisonous or other genuinely deadly animals which should only be
handled by trained professionals. Ferrets do NOT fall into that category.
* Do you believe it is okay to discriminate against exotic animal owners through unfair
bans?
NO! I love ferrets, for example, and I think it's ridiculous that anyone would ban them, but
of course, several states have. Sugar Gliders, bats and other exotic pets should not be
banned from anyone who can properly and responsibly care for them.
What is your position on the following animal and/or hunting related issues?
a) Hunting, including the use
Hunting is a natural part of life that is necessary to control the population of many
animals. Every hunter knows you only kill what you plan to eat. I am opposed to the
ridiculous stereotypes of the redneck hunter blasting everything in sight. In fact, I am a
former National Rifle Association Hunter Safety Course instructor and I was an NRA
Distinguished Expert rifleman at age 12. Hunting dogs LOVE to hunt with their masters. To
prevent this is to deny them their purpose in life and great enjoyment for the dog.
b) Fishing
I would ban all fishing licenses if I could. They are usually extremely expensive and
there's no guarantee you will actually catch a fish. I have even been spearfishing several
times as a SCUBA diver. The only exception would be privately-stocked lakes which need
to raise revenue to replenish the fish supply. The land in America is supposed to belong
to all of us to enjoy, including the streams and lakes where there is good fishing.
c) Animal medical research
I agree that animal medical research can save human lives and prevent human suffering
and legitimate experimentation should not be interfered with.
d) Animal ownership and breeding (including pet & livestock breeding, research animals,
circuses and rodeos)
Having seen genuine abuse of circus animals and "roadside zoos," I would support
regulations against animal abuse, but not against animal ownership in these cases.
Livestock breeding is clearly necessary and is a long tradition in our history. These all
have legitimate purposes and the rights of the owners are not to be interfered with.
Not at the moment, because living in a desert it would not be fair to the animal when I am
gone from the house so often and cannot provide an animal with the proper care and
attention. However, I have owned two ferrets and several dogs and a couple of cats in
the past.
* Do you or anyone in your immediate family hunt, with or without a dog?
I do hunt but never with a dog before.
* Do you support any animal rescue organizations or shelters?
My pets have usually been rescue pets, including two border collies, two cats and the
two ferrets. I am a big supporter of such shelters.
* Do you philosophically support any animal rights or animal protection organizations? If
so,please identify the organizations.
I philosophically support treating animals humanely, but not to the interference of
owners. I am against animal torture and abuse, but do not support extremist groups like
PETA, who essentially believe that humans are subservient to animals. I reject that notion.
* Do any animal rights or animal protection organizations endorse you as a candidate or
financially support your campaign?
No.
* Should Spaying or Neutering of an animal be controlled by the government through
legislation or should it be left between a veterinarian and their client to decide?
I do not believe in any government interference in most cases, certainly not in this case.
An owner should have the right to make his or her choice and not be forced by the
government. If an animal is properly kept in the home, who cares whether or not it is
spayed or neutered other than the owner?
* Do you believe that animal owners should have their status as owners changed to the
status of guardians? As a guardian you do not own your animals, you are strictly a
caretaker?
NO! Every animal owner has an obligation to treat their pet properly, but humans ARE
superior to animals. We are NOT coequals. When a dog can buy a house and let me live in
it and feed me, then we can renegotiate this point.
* Do you support the states' prerogatives to manage their resident wildlife populations
and establish local hunting regulations, without federal interference?
YES! The Constitution clearly enumerates the powers of the Federal Government. I know
the Constitution and I have never seen a line in it about wildlife management.
* Do you believe in peoples rights to own (responsibly) any animal of their choice,
regardless of species: exotic or domestic?
Yes, except for poisonous or other genuinely deadly animals which should only be
handled by trained professionals. Ferrets do NOT fall into that category.
* Do you believe it is okay to discriminate against exotic animal owners through unfair
bans?
NO! I love ferrets, for example, and I think it's ridiculous that anyone would ban them, but
of course, several states have. Sugar Gliders, bats and other exotic pets should not be
banned from anyone who can properly and responsibly care for them.
What is your position on the following animal and/or hunting related issues?
a) Hunting, including the use
Hunting is a natural part of life that is necessary to control the population of many
animals. Every hunter knows you only kill what you plan to eat. I am opposed to the
ridiculous stereotypes of the redneck hunter blasting everything in sight. In fact, I am a
former National Rifle Association Hunter Safety Course instructor and I was an NRA
Distinguished Expert rifleman at age 12. Hunting dogs LOVE to hunt with their masters. To
prevent this is to deny them their purpose in life and great enjoyment for the dog.
b) Fishing
I would ban all fishing licenses if I could. They are usually extremely expensive and
there's no guarantee you will actually catch a fish. I have even been spearfishing several
times as a SCUBA diver. The only exception would be privately-stocked lakes which need
to raise revenue to replenish the fish supply. The land in America is supposed to belong
to all of us to enjoy, including the streams and lakes where there is good fishing.
c) Animal medical research
I agree that animal medical research can save human lives and prevent human suffering
and legitimate experimentation should not be interfered with.
d) Animal ownership and breeding (including pet & livestock breeding, research animals,
circuses and rodeos)
Having seen genuine abuse of circus animals and "roadside zoos," I would support
regulations against animal abuse, but not against animal ownership in these cases.
Livestock breeding is clearly necessary and is a long tradition in our history. These all
have legitimate purposes and the rights of the owners are not to be interfered with.
