BETHEL — State Representative Raghib Allie-Brennan (D-Bethel) was recognized by the Humane Society of the United States as a 2019 Humane Legislator at an event at the Danbury Animal Welfare Society (DAWS) on February 8.

“This honor from The Humane Society is truly humbling,” said Rep Allie-Brennan.

“Soon after I was elected in 2018, a constituent reached out to me about the issue of inhumane pet breeding. What I learned was shocking and led me to introduce legislation to protect Connecticut families from the enormous expense and mental anguish that often comes from caring for inhumanely bred pets,” he said. “The Humane Society and DAWS have been invaluable partners in this work and I look forward to working with them as we advance the important cause.”

“Rep. Raghib Allie-Brennan is championing efforts to fight puppy mill traffickers here in Connecticut,” says Annie Hornish, Connecticut State Director for The Humane Society of the United States. “These pet shops are few in number, outliers in their own industry. Requiring humane sourcing by pet shops aligns with the current business practices of the overwhelming majority of pet shops and is a pro-business measure that not only helps animals but protects consumers.”

“State Rep Raghib Allie-Brennan is a friend of DAWS,” said Bill Jasper, President of the DAWS Board of Directors. “Soon after being elected, he quickly established himself as an outspoken advocate for animal welfare, introducing legislation that will ban pet stores from selling inhumanely bred animals. Last summer, he teamed up with Broken Symmetry, a Bethel brewery, to sponsor DAWS on one of its charity nights, where the brewery donated ten percent of that evening’s revenue to DAWS. We are thrilled to hear about his award and appreciate his state-level advocacy for homeless animals.”

Allie-Brennan’s advocacy was quickly recognized by animal rights activists. In his first year in office, he introduced legislation to protect against the inhumane treatment of animals by unscrupulous breeders and pet stores by prohibiting the sale of such animals in the State of Connecticut.