West Virginia House Passes Animal Fighting Bill; Improves One of Nation's Weakest Dogfighting Laws; Excludes Cockfighting

2/28/2003

From: Karen Allanach, 301-548-7778 e-mail: kallanach@hsus.org Sandy Rowland, 419-352-5141; e-mail: glro@hsus.org both of the Humane Society of the United States web: http://www.hsus.org WASHINGTON, Feb. 28 -- The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), the nation's largest animal protection organization, applauds the West Virginia House of Delegates for passage of legislation raising the penalties for dogfighting to a felony and prohibiting attendance at dogfights. West Virginia, Idaho, Iowa, and Wyoming are the only states where dogfighting is not a felony. As originally introduced by Del. John Overington (R-55, Martinsburg), H.B. 2753 would have also prohibited providing a venue for such fights, keeping and training the animals for fighting, and dealing in animal fighting implements, but these were removed by the House Judiciary Committee. The HSUS hopes that these provisions, often critical in the effective enforcement of animal fighting law, will be restored in the Senate. "This will help put a stop to the growing problem of dog fighting in West Virginia," said Wayne Pacelle, a senior vice president of The HSUS. "Dogfighting is a sick and barbaric activity, and has no place in a civilized society." The HSUS has been tracking an increase in animal fighting activity in West Virginia, and investigators have reported that animal fighters are coming from other states to West Virginia to fight their animals. Animal fighters breed animals for viciousness, often drug them, and have them fight to death or injury for amusement and illegal gambling. Law enforcement has long recognized the well-documented association between illegal animal fighting and large-scale narcotics trafficking, gang activity, illegal gambling, the use and sale of illegal firearms, and in many cases violence against people. The committee also narrowed the bill to exclude roosters, which are used in cockfighting. The original bill was supported by dozens of West Virginia law enforcement organizations. "There is no moral or practical rationale for treating dog fighting and cockfighting any differently," said Sandy Rowland, Director of the HSUS' Great Lakes Regional Office. "While we are encouraged that the House supported portions of the legislation regarding dogfighting, we are disappointed that cockfighting was eliminated from consideration." For more information on animal fighting, go to http://www.animalfighting.org. The Humane Society of the United States Great Lakes Regional Office serves West Virginia, Ohio, Indiana and Michigan. With programs in farm animals and sustainable agriculture, wildlife and habitat protection, companion animals and equine protection, and animal research, The HSUS protects all animals. Go to http://www.hsus.org for more information.