WASHINGTON (Jan. 31, 2012) -- The Humane Society Legislative Fund, the nation’s leading political advocacy organization for animal welfare, announces its endorsement of U.S. Rep. Betty Sutton, D-Ohio, for Ohio’s newly created 16th Congressional District. Citing her effective leadership and impact on animal protection policies, the Humane Society Legislative Fund urges voters in Ohio’s 16th Congressional District to support Sutton.
“Betty Sutton has been an effective leader in protecting animals and fighting against cruelty throughout her career in the state legislature and in Congress,” said Michael Markarian, president of the Humane Society Legislative Fund. “She is working to protect pets, wildlife, and farm animals, and standing up for the values of kindness and compassion. We urge voters in the 16th District who care about the humane treatment of animals to support Betty Sutton.”
Sutton has been a leading champion for animal protection in Congress, and has helped enact a number of new federal policies to stop animal cruelty and abuse. Among her efforts, Sutton has:
- Sponsored legislation that was incorporated into the 2008 Farm Bill, strengthening the federal law against dogfighting and cockfighting by increasing the felony-level penalties and banning the possession and training of fighting animals.
- Sponsored the Animal Fighting Spectator Prohibition Act, H.R. 2492, to establish misdemeanor penalties for knowingly attending an organized dogfight or cockfight, and felony penalties for taking a minor to such a fight.
- Supported efforts in Ohio to crack down on the private ownership of dangerous wild animals as pets.
- Co-sponsored the Animal Crush Video Prohibition Act, which passed in 2010 and bans commerce in videos showing the intentional torture of puppies, kittens and other live animals for the sexual titillation of viewers. (P.L. 111-294)
- Co-sponsored the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act, H.R. 2966, to prohibit the long-distance transport (including export) of horses for slaughter for human consumption in other countries where horse meat is eaten.
- Co-sponsored the Puppy Uniform Protection and Safety (PUPS) Act, H.R. 835, to crack down on abusive puppy mills in the United States, where breeding dogs are often stacked in wire cages for years to produce litter after litter, without exercise, veterinary care, socialization or human companionship.
- Co-sponsored the Great Ape Protection and Cost Savings Act, H.R. 1513, to phase out the use of chimpanzees in invasive research, retire the approximately 500 federally-owned chimpanzees to sanctuary, and save tens of millions of tax dollars from warehousing chimps in federally-funded laboratories.
- As a member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, co-sponsored and helped to pass the Truth in Fur Labeling Act, which was enacted in 2010 and requires labeling of animal fur garments so consumers can make informed decisions in the marketplace. (P.L. 111-313)
Media contacts: Pepper Van Tassell, (301) 258-1417, pvantassell@hslf.org
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HSLF is a nonpartisan organization that evaluates candidates based only on a single criterion: where they stand on animal welfare. HSLF does not judge candidates based on party affiliation or any other issue.
The Humane Society Legislative Fund is a social welfare organization incorporated under section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code and formed in 2004 as a separate lobbying affiliate of The Humane Society of the United States. The HSLF works to pass animal protection laws at the state and federal level, to educate the public about animal protection issues, and to support humane candidates for office. Visit us on all our channels: on the web at hslf.org, on our blog at animalsandpolitics.com, on Facebook at facebook.com/humanelegislation and on Twitter at twitter.com/HSLegFund.
Paid for by Humane Society Legislative Fund and not authorized by any candidate or candidate’s committee. HSLF, 1255 23rd Street, NW, Suite 455, Washington, DC 20037.
