AR-News: Bush Administration Endorses Animal Fighting Legislation

[Political Animal]

BUSH ADMINISTRATION ENDORSES FEDERAL 
ANIMAL FIGHTING LEGISLATION

The Humane Society of the United States Praises Strong
Position

WASHINGTON (May 27, 2004)– Federal legislation that
would increase penalties for violations of animal
fighting laws received a significant boost this week
with the endorsement of the Bush Administration.

In a letter sent to Senator Robert Bennett (R-UT),
Agriculture Secretary Ann Veneman, speaking on behalf
of the Bush Administration, expresses her support for
the enactment of S. 736, the Federal Animal Fighting
Prohibition Enforcement Act. Senators John Ensign
(R-NV), Wayne Allard (R-CO), and Maria Cantwell (D-WA)
introduced the legislation in March 2003. The bill has
51 cosponsors. It would amend the Animal Welfare Act
by establishing felony penalties for animal fighting
violations (covering dogfighting and cockfighting) and
banning interstate and foreign commerce in the sharp
metal implements – knives and gaffs – that
cockfighters strap to birds’ legs.

A companion bill introduced in the House of
Representatives, H.R. 1532, has 196 cosponsors.
Earlier this month, Representatives Mark Green (R-WI)
and Elton Gallegly (R-CA) introduced H.R. 4264, which
would accomplish the same goals by amending Title 18
of the U.S. Criminal Code and has been referred to the
House Judiciary Committee.

In addition to the Bush Administration endorsement,
the legislation has the support of 158 local police
and sheriffs departments across the country, 55 animal
control and humane groups, the American Veterinary
Medical Association, and the National Chicken Council.


“We believe that tougher penalties and prosecution
will help to deter illegal movement of birds as well
as the inhumane practice of cockfighting itself,”
wrote Secretary Veneman in the May 24, 2004 letter to
Senator Bennett, who chairs the Senate Appropriations
Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development and
Related Agencies.

In the letter, Veneman describes the U.S. Department
of Agriculture’s efforts to enforce the current Animal
Welfare Act prohibition on interstate and foreign
shipments of animals for the purpose of fighting. That
prohibition, enacted by Congress as part of the 2002
Farm Bill, went into effect in May 2003. Veneman
writes that USDA has worked with “other Federal,
State, and local authorities to conduct investigations
and enforce the AWA’s animal fighting provisions.”

“Together with the provisions in the Farm Bill, S. 736
further enhances the ability to prosecute those
charged with animal-fighting violations. We are
committed to enforcing the AWA to the fullest extent
of the law,” Veneman explains.  

“The bill would also enhance USDA’s ability to
safeguard the health of U.S. poultry against deadly
diseases, such as exotic Newcastle disease and avian
influenza,” Veneman indicates. Fighting birds were
“implicated in the introduction and spread of exotic
Newcastle disease in California in 2002-2003, which
cost U.S. taxpayers nearly $200 million to eradicate,
and cost the U.S. poultry industry many millions more
in lost export market,” she states.

“The Humane Society of the United States is grateful
to the Bush Administration for recognizing the need to
have felony level penalties for dogfighting and
cockfighting,” said Wayne Pacelle, HSUS chief
executive officer – designate. “Animal fighting is a
barbaric and gruesome practice that deserves no safe
harbor in the United States. We hope the
Administration’s strong endorsement will help push the
Animal Fighting Prohibition Enforcement Act over the
finish line before Congress adjourns at the end of the
year.”

Dogfighting is banned in all 50 states and
cockfighting is banned in 48 states. Only Louisiana
and parts of New Mexico allow legalized cockfighting.

The Humane Society of the United States is the
nation’s largest animal protection organization with
more than eight million members and constituents. The
HSUS is a mainstream voice for animals, with active
programs in companion animals and equine protection,
wildlife and habitat protection, animals in research
and farm animals and sustainable agriculture. The HSUS
protects all animals through legislation, litigation,
investigation, education, advocacy and fieldwork. The
non-profit organization, which is celebrating its 50th
anniversary in 2004, is based in Washington, DC and
has 10 regional offices across the country. On the web
at www.hsus.org.

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