Dold has stood up for animal rights

In February, the so-called Sportsmen's Heritage and Recreational Enhancement Act of 2015 passed the U.S. House of Representatives, and it was a grab-bag of some of the most extreme and harmful measures for animals imaginable, bearing no relation to fair-chase hunting practices - let alone "sportsmen's heritage."

The provisions included: an amendment to remove gray wolves from the federal list of endangered species, an amendment to block the executive branch from curbing cruel predator control practices on Alaska' national wildlife refuges - even a measure to stop the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service from cracking down on the illegal ivory trade.

In short, it was a trophy hunting giveaway of the highest order, and only four Republican lawmakers had the gumption to stand against it. One of those was Rep. Bob Dold.

Throughout his tenure in Congress, Dold has stood up for what's right for animals, at times bucking his party leadership in the process. He opposed efforts to allow the importation of polar bear trophies; he stood against efforts to expand hunting in our national park lands.

Now it's time to stand with Rep. Dold. I hope my fellow voters in Illinois' 10th District will join me in supporting him Nov. 8.

Christine Pado

Third Lake