(TRENTON) – Assemblyman Tim Eustace expressed his disappointment today over Gov. Christie’s pocket veto of legislation (A-4808 & A-4773 from last session) that would have protected threatened and endangered species by banning their transportation through facilities operated by the Port Authority of NY and NJ:
“Time and time again, we have seen the public rally against individuals with the means and the lack of scruples to travel to foreign lands to kill animals whose existence is threatened.
“In the case of Cecil the Lion, he was lured out of his sanctuary, skinned and beheaded so the hunter who paid top money to kill him could show him off back home.
“How anyone can justify doing this is beyond reasoning. These animals serve a purpose. Allowing them to disappear without doing anything to help is not only irresponsible; it is inhumane.
“These bills simply sought to protect animals in danger of extinction.
“It is frustrating that the governor did not want to acknowledge this.
“We all have a role to play to protect these animals for future generations. How sad that Gov. Christie will rather use his authority to make the threat against these animals that much more dire.”