I understand the importance of promoting animal welfare and anti-animal cruelty measures, particularly in underserved regions such as the Navajo Nation. This is a Petition for Humane Animal Control and Anti-Cruelty Measures in the Navajo Nation

To: The Navajo Nation Council, Animal Control Agencies, and Relevant Government Officials

We, the undersigned, call for immediate action to address the urgent need for humane animal control practices and strong anti-animal cruelty laws within the Navajo Nation. We are deeply concerned by the growing reports of animal abuse, neglect, and the lack of effective, compassionate animal control methods that ensure both the safety of animals and the well-being of our communities.

The Issue:
Across the Navajo Nation, animals—especially stray dogs, horses, and livestock—are often subjected to cruel treatment, neglect, and inhumane handling. This is exacerbated by a lack of sufficient, well-trained animal control officers who can ensure the humane treatment of animals and properly address issues such as overpopulation, disease, and injury. Furthermore, current methods of animal control sometimes involve cruel practices that cause unnecessary suffering and distress to the animals.

Current Concerns Include:

Cruel and Inhumane Animal Control Practices: Instances of rough handling, untrained personnel, and inadequate facilities.
Lack of Humane Education: Many community members are not educated about the importance of animal welfare, leading to neglect and mistreatment of animals.
Overpopulation: Stray dogs and feral animals roam freely without proper care or regulation.
Inconsistent Enforcement: The lack of proper resources and trained personnel leads to inconsistent enforcement of animal welfare laws, allowing cruelty to go unchecked.
Our Demands:
We demand that the Navajo Nation take immediate action to implement the following measures to protect animals and ensure humane treatment in all animal control practices:

Training and Education for Animal Control Agents:

Ensure that all animal control officers receive comprehensive, humane handling training, including conflict resolution, compassionate animal care, and proper animal restraint techniques.
Mandate ongoing professional development in animal welfare laws, ethical treatment of animals, and animal behavior science.
Establish and Enforce Strong Anti-Cruelty Laws:

Implement and enforce stricter anti-animal cruelty laws with substantial penalties for those found guilty of abuse or neglect.
Increase community awareness through public education campaigns about the ethical treatment of animals and the legal consequences of animal cruelty.
Support Animal Welfare Initiatives:

Invest in local spay and neuter programs to help control animal overpopulation in the region.
Create safe and humane shelters for stray and abandoned animals, ensuring they are treated with dignity and respect while awaiting adoption or rehoming.
Partner with animal rescue organizations to increase resources and support for animals in need.
Promote Humane Animal Control Practices:

Ensure that animal control is non-lethal and focused on the welfare of the animals.
Establish humane traps for capturing strays, and ensure that they are treated with care and transported to appropriate facilities without undue stress or harm.
Community Engagement:

Collaborate with community leaders, veterinarians, and animal welfare advocates to educate the public on responsible pet ownership, proper animal care, and the importance of reporting animal cruelty.
Provide accessible resources for citizens to report suspected abuse or neglect, and ensure that reports are handled with care and urgency.
Increase Funding for Animal Welfare Programs:

Advocate for more funding for animal welfare programs, shelters, and local veterinary services to ensure that adequate resources are available to manage animal control and care effectively.
Why This Matters:
Animal Welfare: All animals deserve respect and humane treatment, whether they are pets, strays, or livestock. Humane animal control methods contribute to a healthier, more compassionate community.
Public Health: Stray animals can be vectors for disease, and unregulated populations pose a serious public health risk. Proper control and care can help reduce these risks.
Cultural Importance: As a people who deeply respect the natural world, it is vital that we ensure the humane treatment of animals aligns with the values of respect, compassion, and stewardship that the Navajo Nation holds dear.
Take Action Now:
We urge the Navajo Nation to act swiftly to address these issues by adopting humane animal control practices, increasing animal welfare education, and creating stronger protections against cruelty. Together, we can protect animals, improve public health, and create a safer, more compassionate community for all.

Sign this petition to demand change for the animals of the Navajo Nation.

Sincerely, Animal Advocates & Family  [Lost and Found Pets of the Navajo Nation FB Group]

Former petition that is still active: https://chng.it/QTf5qf4mNr

 
Why Sign This Petition? This petition aims to create a more humane system of animal control in the Navajo Nation, focusing on humane treatment and the respect that all animals deserve. By signing this petition, we will send a powerful message to policymakers and animal control agencies that cruelty to animals will not be tolerated, and that change is necessary to protect the well-being of both animals and humans in our communities.

We urge our leaders in Window Rock, AZ to take

immediate action on this matter.

 

V/R, 

 

Kelly DeJesus, Public Health graduate student/ Animal Advocate 

kellydejesus@icloud.com

Lost and Found Pets of the Navajo Nation (FB GROUP)

 

 

Additionally,  if you would like to contact members of the tribal government, here are:

CONTACTS FOR NAVAJO COUNCIL/ NN PRESIDENT AND OFFICE OF THE VP:

 

Navajo Nation Council 

steven.arviso@navajo-nsn.gov (Law and Order)

lomardo.aseret@navajo-nsn.gov (Budget & Finance)

helena.begay@navajo-nsn.gov (Health education & Human Services)

norman.begay@navajo-nsn.gov (Budget & Finance)

shawna.claw@navajo-nsn.gov (Resources & Development)n 

echarles-newton@navajo-nsn.gov (Law and Order)

acrotty@navajo-nsn.gov (Budget and Finance)

crystalyne.curley@navajo-nsn.gov

hdaniels@navajo-nsn.gov (Law and Order)

vincejames@navajo-nsn.gov (Health, education and Human Services)

brenda.jesus@navajo-nsn.gov (Resources & Development) 

casey.johnson@navajo-nsn.gov (Resources & Development)

andy.nez@navajo-nsn.gov (Health, Education and Human Services)

rickienez@navajo-nsn.gov (Resources & Development) 

nathan.notah@navajo-nsn.gov (Law and Order)

sp.parrish@navajo-nsn.gov (Budget and Finance)

germaine.simonson@navajo-nsn.gov (Health Education and Human Services)

danny.simpson@navajo-nsn.gov (Resources and Development)

carlslater@navajo-nsn.gov (Budget and Finance)

george.tolth@navajo-nsn.gov (Health, Education and Human Services)

otso@navajo-nsn.gov (Resource and Development)

curtis.yanito@navajo-nsn.gov    (Health, Education and Human Services)

cherilyn.yazzie@navajo-nsn.gov (Law and Order Committee)

lesteryazzie@navajo-nsn.gov (Budget and Finance).

 

Office of the President and OVP

Mailing Address

PO Box 7440

Window Rock, AZ

86515

 

Phone Number

(928) 871-7000

 

Fax Number

(928) 871-4025

 

To reach NAVAJO NATION PRESIDENT: BUU NYGREN 

alray.nelson@navajo-nsn.gov 

To reach First Lady Jasmine Blackwater-Nygren:

daryn.sells@navajo-nsn.gov 

To reach VP Richelle Montoya 

josie.bowman@navajo-nsn.gov