INDIANAPOLIS â Noble Countyâs State Rep. Dave Abbott was selected to receive the Indiana 2020 Legislator of the Year Award presented by the Humane Society of the United States.
Abbott, R-Rome City, was selected as Indianaâs top animal-friendly lawmaker for his efforts to protect exotic animals, a role that comes with the District 82 territory that includes Black Pine Animal Sanctuary in Albion.
Abbott, whose district covers all of Noble County as well as small portions of Allen, LaGrange, Whitley and Kosciusko counties, received the award last week.
His district covers Albion and the Black Pine Animal Sanctuary, a rescue for exotic animals seized from roadside zoos and private owners who reside at the location west of town for the rest of their lives. Animals at Black Pine are not bred like in zoos, and tourism at the sanctuary helps raise awareness as well as revenue to help care for the rescued animals.