Senate Passes Legislation to Strengthen Federal Animal Fighting Law; Nev. Sen. Ensign Leads Effort to Stamp Out Dogfighting, Cockfighting

10/31/2003

From: Wayne Pacelle, 202-778-6112, wpacelle@hsus.org; or Karen L. Allanach, 301-548-7778, kallanach@hsus.org; both of The Humane Society of the United States, Web site: http://www.hsus.org

WASHINGTON, Oct. 31 -- Late last evening, the Senate approved an amendment to crack down on the barbaric and widespread practices of illegal dogfighting and cockfighting.

The Senate provision passed during consideration of H.R. 1904, the "Healthy Forests Initiative," and significantly strengthens the federal law that bans interstate transport and foreign commerce in fighting dogs and fighting birds, and establishes a felony-level penalty for any dogfighting and cockfighting activities illegal under federal law. The measure also bans interstate or foreign commerce in deadly cockfighting implements and it updates the forfeiture and seizure provisions in the law.

The amendment was sponsored by Senator John Ensign (R-NV) and cosponsored by Senators Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Rick Santorum (R-Pa.), Kent Conrad (D-N.D.), Susan Collins (R-Maine), Frank Lautenberg (D-N.J.), Hillary Clinton (D-N.Y.), Jim Jeffords (I-Vt.), Harry Reid (D-Nev.) and Olympia Snowe (R-Maine). The amendment contains all of the provisions included in S. 736, the Animal Fighting Prohibition Enforcement Act, introduced earlier this year by Senators Ensign, Cantwell, Wayne Allard (R-Colo.), and Tom Harkin (D-Iowa). Representatives Roscoe Bartlett (R-Md.) and Robert Andrews (D-N.J.) have introduced a companion bill, H.R. 1532, which has 117 cosponsors. S. 736 has 40 cosponsors.

"Dogfighting and cockfighting are barbaric and despicable acts, which not only involve extreme animal abuse, but also illegal gambling, narcotics trafficking, and other illegal activity," states Wayne Pacelle, a senior vice president of The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS). "We are enormously grateful to Senator Ensign for his extraordinary leadership in trying to stamp out staged and deadly animal fights."

Investigations by The HSUS reveal that there are at least 11 underground dogfighting publications. There are three above-ground monthly cockfighting magazines, and countless web sites, such as http://www.pitmaster.com, that cater to cockfighting enthusiasts. Earlier this year, the California state veterinarian declared there may be as many as 50,000 backyard cockfighting operations in southern California alone.

"Last year, the Congress passed legislation to criminalize the movement of fighting dogs and fighting birds across state lines," notes Senator Ensign, who is also a veterinarian. "It is time now to refine the law to make it workable and enforceable. U.S. Attorneys will actively pursue cases only when they can make felony charges against people who are involved in dogfighting and cockfighting activities."

The 2002 Farm bill included language to close loopholes in federal law and ban any interstate transport of fighting birds and any exports of fighting birds or dogs. The House and Senate independently approved felony-level penalties for those who violate this section of law. But the felony provision was removed in a conference committee.

Former Democratic U.S. Representative Bill Brewster of Oklahoma is the paid lobbyist of the cockfighting lobby.

The HSUS is the nation's largest animal protection organization with more than seven 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. For nearly 50 years, The HSUS has protected all animals through legislation, litigation, investigation, education, advocacy and fieldwork. The HSUS is headquartered in Washington, DC and has 10 regional offices. Visit The HSUS on the Web at http://www.hsus.org.