H.R. 137 – Bill to Limit Transport and Sale of Animals For the Purpose of Dog Fighting and Cockfighting Heads to Bush: Will He Sign It?

My guess is that because the bill is just a watered down step to end cockfighting and dog fighting that he will sign it. Don’t get me wrong, I am all for ANY bill that leads to the ending of cockfighting and dog fighting. But, this is a very early and limited step. Limiting transport and selling is great, but going for a full ban on fighting would seal the deal to end this unnecessary cruelty.

As stated below, “The bill, sponsored in the House by Rep. Earl Blumenauer, D-Ore., calls for penalties of up to three years in prison for anyone who knowingly buys, sells or transports animals for the purpose of fighting. It also would make it a felony to knowingly sponsor or exhibit an animal fight.”

Louisiana is now the only state that allows cockfighting. New Mexico ended its legal sanction of the blood sport recently by making cockfighting illegal by law. You can read about that here - http://geari.blogspot.com/2007/03/
victory-measure-is-passed-that-outlaws.html

Will Louisiana be next?

For more on why cockfighting is wrong, see -
http://www.hsus.org/hsus_field/
animal_fighting_the_final_round/
cockfighting_fact_sheet




Article:

Congress sends President Bush anti-animal fighting bill

http://www.ksby.com/Global/story.asp?S=6358891

Apr 11, 1:46 PM EDT

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Congress has passed legislation cracking down on animal fighting, sending President Bush a measure that would make it a felony to transport an animal across state lines for fighting.

Approval of the bill marked the culmination of a nearly six-year effort to limit dogfighting and cockfighting, centuries-old traditions that most lawmakers and animal rights advocates now label brutal.

The Senate passed the measure by voice vote Tuesday night, following House passage by a lopsided margin on March 26, clearing it for Bush's signature.

"We've waited six years to see this legislation signed into law," said Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., the bill's chief Senate sponsor. "Our nation should have a zero tolerance policy for this cruelty, and I hope the president will sign this bill immediately."

The bill, sponsored in the House by Rep. Earl Blumenauer, D-Ore., calls for penalties of up to three years in prison for anyone who knowingly buys, sells or transports animals for the purpose of fighting. It also would make it a felony to knowingly sponsor or exhibit an animal fight.

"Animal fighting is cruel," said Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., the Judiciary Committee chairman. "Those engaged in animal fighting ventures must know that this crime is serious and will be punished as a felony."

Critics say animal fighting - popular in rural areas and Latin American communities - can also spawn other criminal activity, such as illegal gambling, narcotics trafficking, public corruption, and gang activity.

Wayne Pacelle, president and CEO of the Humane Society of the United States, called the measure "a powerful law that will go a long way toward eradicating these sickening forms of animal cruelty."

The measure also outlaws commerce in cockfighting weapons - knifelike instruments that are attached to roosters' legs during fights. Transporting animals across state lines for fighting would be boosted from a misdemeanor to a felony.

Dogfighting is illegal in every state, and New Mexico last month became the 49th state to ban cockfighting, making Louisiana the only state where it's legal.

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On the Net:

Information on the bill, H.R. 137, can be found at http://thomas.loc.gov/