Support H.R. 137/S. 231, the Animal Fighting Prohibition Enforcement Act
- by: Athena Cooke
- recipient: Connie Mack, Representative, Congress
The Animal Fighting Prohibition Enforcement Act (H.R. 137 & S. 231) would make it a felony to transport an animal across state or international borders for animal fighting. It would prohibit the interstate and foreign commerce in knives and gaffs designed for use in cockfighting.
Forty-eight states punish dogfighting as a felony while 33 states have felony penalties for cockfighting. Authorities recognize that animal fighting is an interstate industry — often associated with other crimes such as illegal gambling, drug trafficking, and acts of human violence — that requires the federal government's help to curb.
Exactly how cruel and gruesome is animal fighting?
Dog fighting, cockfighting, and hog-dog fights (dogs pitted against hogs in small, enclosed spaces) are cruel and brutal bloodsports. In a typical fight, animals are drugged to heighten their aggression and forced to keep fighting even after sustaining injuries such as pierced lungs and gouged eyes. These fights are held for the "amusement" and illegal gambling of handlers and spectators, including children. Not only are animal fights cruel to the animals forced to fight, they pose a threat to public security and safety. Some abandon injured fighting dogs that lost their fight roam neighborhoods and endanger the public. Law enforcement officials nationwide have documented the strong connection between animal fights and illegal drug traffic. In fact, drug enforcement agents often learn about animal fighting operations as a result of narcotics investigations.
The Animal Fighting Prohibition Enforcement Act (H.R. 137/S. 231) has been introduced to strengthen current animal fighting law by authorizing felony-level jail time for the interstate and foreign transport of animals used for fighting and of weapons use in cockfighting.
The Animal Fighting Prohibition Enforcement Act enjoys overwhelming support on Capitol Hill. Introduced in the last Congress by Rep. Mark Green, R-WI, the legislation gained 324 cosponsors (about three-quarters of the House and more than nearly any other pending bill). A Senate version of the measure passed the upper chamber unanimously early in the 109th Congress, and was reintroduced by Sens. Maria Cantwell, D-WA., John Ensign, R-NV, and Arlen Specter (R-PA).
Federal felony provisions are necessary to provide a meaningful deterrent to illegal animal fighting organizers, promoters and participants. Misdemeanors are considered a "slap on the wrist" or the "cost of doing business." Prosecutors are reluctant to devote time and resources to pursuing animal fighting cases for just a misdemeanor conviction.
For these reasons, and more, we encourage you to urge your legislators to take action on this issue.
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