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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Senators Cantwell, Ensign and Specter Introduce Animal Fighting Legislation
Bill Mirrors House Version Which Has Already Attracted More than 210 Cosponsors in First Week of Congress
WASHINGTON (January 11, 2007) – Today, U.S. Senators Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), John Ensign (R-Nev.) and Arlen Specter (R-Pa.) introduced legislation to strengthen the federal animal fighting law, which will help law enforcement agencies crack down on the gruesome blood sports of dog fighting and cockfighting. Animal fighting often involves other organized criminal activity and is found nationwide among urban and rural communities. Senators Richard Durbin (D-Ill.), David Vitter (R-La.), Wayne Allard (R-Co.), Susan Collins (R-Maine), Jon Kyl (R-Ariz.) and Carl Levin (D-Mich.) are original cosponsors of the bill, the Animal Fighting Prohibition Enforcement Act. Senators Ensign and Allard are the only two veterinarians in the Congress.
“Animal fighting is a gruesome and barbaric activity, and federal legislation is needed to combat a surge in the practice throughout the nation,” stated Wayne Pacelle, president and CEO of the Humane Society of the
Last Thursday, U.S. Reps. Elton Gallegly (R-Calif.), Earl Blumenauer (D-Ore.) and Roscoe Bartlett (R-Md.) introduced identical legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives. Their bill, H.R. 137, already has more than 210 cosponsors -- a remarkable achievement in the first week of Congress.
Despite overwhelming bipartisan support in the 109th Congress, including a unanimous vote in the Senate and co-sponsorship by 324 Representatives, the legislation did not come up for a vote in the House before Congress adjourned in December. Former House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Sensenbrenner blocked consideration of the legislation in the 109th Congress.
The bill establishes a felony-level penalty of up to three years jail time for any interstate or foreign transport of animals for fighting purposes. Current federal law includes misdemeanor penalties for such actions. The bill also makes it a crime to move cockfighting implements in interstate or foreign commerce.
"Animal fighting is a brutal, inhumane practice and we need to strengthen the current law to make it more effective," said Senator Cantwell. "It's an unacceptable, appalling activity, and too often has connections to other illegal activity such as gambling, drug trafficking and violent crimes."
"As a veterinarian, I have seen the horrible results of animal fighting first hand," said Senator Ensign. "Animal fighting involves the cruel treatment of animals and poses serious health risks for animals and humans alike. These gruesome events are usually accompanied by illegal gambling, illegal narcotics and human violence. Individuals participating in these despicable practices should face criminal charges."
Sheriffs and police departments recognize that animal fighting is an interstate industry often associated with other crimes that require the federal government’s help to curb. In 2006 alone, nine murders related to illegal animal fighting occurred across the country.
The legislation is supported by The Humane Society of the
The need for this legislation has become even more urgent as the illegal transport of cockfighting birds has been linked to the spread of deadly diseases, including bird flu. The only groups opposing the federal animal fighting bill are dog fighting and cockfighting interests.
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Media Contact: Karen L. Allanach (301) 548-7778, kallanach@hsus.org
The Humane Society of the
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