Press Release

Closes Loophole in Federal Law by Outlawing Attendance at Dog and Cockfights

WASHINGTON (June 20, 2012) -- The Humane Society of the United States and the Humane Society Legislative Fund applauded the U.S. Senate for approving an amendment, by a vote of 88 to 11, introduced by Sen. David Vitter, R-La., and strongly backed by Sens. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., Mark Kirk, R-Ill., Scott Brown, R-Mass., and Agriculture Committee Chairwoman Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich., which closes loopholes in the federal animal fighting law related to attendance at dogfights and cockfights. The federal animal fighting law already makes it a felony to stage fights, possess or train animals for fighting, or to move animals or cockfighting implements in interstate commerce for fighting purposes. The Vitter amendment prohibits attendance at organized animal fights and imposes additional penalties for bringing a child to these bloody and illegal spectacles.

The amendment, approved during consideration of the Farm bill, is nearly identical to S. 1947, the Animal Fighting Spectator Prohibition Act, introduced by Sens. Blumenthal, Kirk, Cantwell, and Brown. A House version of the bill, H.R. 2492, introduced by Reps. Tom Marino, R-Pa., and Betty Sutton, D-Ohio, has nearly 200 co-sponsors. The original Senate animal fighting amendment was not included in the approved list of amendments to be considered on the Farm bill, but a previously approved Vitter amendment dealing with television and film extras who bring their pets onto sets was modified to allow consideration of the animal fighting issue.

Over the past decade, Congress has strengthened the penalties for and closed major loopholes in the federal law addressing dogfighting, cockfighting, and other forms of animal fighting, but has left the issue of spectators unaddressed. This legislation will correct this remaining gap in federal law to allow for a more comprehensive crackdown on this barbaric activity.

“Spectators are participants and accomplices who enable the crime of animal fighting, make the enterprise profitable through admission fees and wagering, and help conceal and protect the handlers and organizers,” said Wayne Pacelle, president and CEO of The HSUS. “Federal investigators that raid large-scale animal fighting operations may soon be able to prosecute the entire cast of characters who sustain dogfighting and cockfighting.”

“We’ve made great strides in outlawing the cruel abuse of animal fighting, but I’m honored to have worked with a bipartisan group of senators to also make it much more difficult to attend these garish spectacles – especially with a minor,” said Sen. Vitter.

“Despite efforts by Congress to put an end to animal fighting, this cruel sport continues to exist throughout the country, and is financed by thousands of dollars from spectators who contribute to this blood sport. When animal fighting involves players from a number of different States, local law enforcement simply lacks the power to deal with it and to root out the entire operation,” said Sen. Blumenthal.

“This amendment gives local law enforcement the tools they need to crack down on illegal animal fighting. I was proud to cosponsor this bipartisan amendment, and to work with Senators Blumenthal and Vitter to ensure its passage. Enacting tough penalties is an important step to ending the cruel practice of animal fighting," said Sen. Cantwell.

It is illegal in 49 states to be a knowing spectator at an animal fight. A majority – 29 states – impose felony-level penalties on spectators. This legislation imposes federal misdemeanor penalties for knowing attendance and felony penalties for knowingly causing a minor to attend.

The law would not affect “innocent bystanders,” because organized animal fighting is a federal crime and illegal in all 50 states; this activity is highly clandestine and spectators don’t just accidentally happen upon a fight. They seek out the criminal activity at secret locations, often need passwords to enter, and pay admission fees for the opportunity to watch and gamble on the gruesome show – facts that a prosecutor might use as evidence to prove that a defendant knowingly attended.

Animal Fighting Facts:

• Spectators pay hundreds or thousands of dollars in admission fees and gambling bets, generating the bulk of the revenue for this illegal enterprise. The fights would not occur without the crowd betting on the outcome and enjoying the bloodletting.
• Often spectators are themselves participants in animal fights, waiting their turn at a typical organized animal fight, with several rounds during an event or derby. When police raid an animal fight, it is extremely difficult to differentiate between spectators and participants who were going to fight their dog or bird in the next match.
• Animal fighting is also closely associated with other criminal activities such as gangs, narcotics, illegal weapons possession, public corruption and various violent crimes. A three-year study by the Chicago Police Department found that 70 percent of animal offenders had also been arrested for other felonies, including domestic and aggravated battery, illegal drug trafficking and sex crimes.
• The Animal Fighting Spectator Prohibition Act has been endorsed by the Fraternal Order of Police, the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association, and more than 150 law enforcement agencies from across the country.

Media contacts: Rebecca Basu, (240) 753-4875 , rbasu@humanesociety.org

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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.

The Humane Society of the United States is the nation’s largest animal protection organization, rated the most effective by its peers. Since 1954, The HSUS has been fighting for the protection of all animals through advocacy, education and hands-on programs. We rescue and care for tens of thousands of animals each year, but our primary mission is to prevent cruelty before it occurs. We're there for all animals, across America and around the world. Celebrating animals and confronting cruelty -- on the Web at humanesociety.org. Subscribe to the blog, A Humane Nation. Join The HSUS on Facebook. Follow The HSUS on Twitter. See our work for animals on your Apple or Android device by searching for our “Humane TV” app.

WASHINGTON (June 6, 2012) -- The Humane Society Legislative Fund, the nation’s leading political advocacy group for animal welfare, is thanking Democratic primary voters in Iowa’s 2nd congressional district for handing an overwhelming defeat to state Sen. Joe Seng, D-Davenport, the champion of Iowa’s notorious “Ag Gag” bill (HF 589/SF 431), which aims to stop whistleblowers from exposing animal abuse, health violations and harassment at industrial factory farms.

“Voters were right to reject a lawmaker who chose to nullify First Amendment freedoms and to put a curtain up to hide potential instances of animal cruelty,” said Sara Amundson, executive director of the Humane Society Legislative Fund. “We need elected officials who stand up for their constituents, not for special interests that want to avoid any public scrutiny. We thank Iowans who just said no to Joe Seng and opted instead to back Dave Loebsack by a wide margin.”

HSLF sent direct mail and e-mail to tens of thousands of Democratic primary voters informing them of Seng’s record of working to silence or jail whistleblowers at industrial-style factory farms. The mailer quoted several newspaper editorials which had criticized Iowa’s “Ag Gag” bill when it was considered in the Iowa legislature:

• “How can it be a crime to tell the truth about farms?”—Des Moines Register, 3/1/12
• The bill “could lead to unfairly prosecuting animal-abuse whistle-blowers and perhaps even could undermine the integrity and safety of the state’s food industry….a dangerous step in a censorious direction.”—Iowa City Press-Citizen, 3/1/12
• “This restraint of free speech cannot be squared with either the U.S. or the Iowa constitutions.”—Des Moines Register, 3/19/11
• The chance of whistleblowers being charged with a crime under the new law will be “enough to keep many of them silent.”—Cedar Rapids Gazette, 2/3/12

The legislation championed by Seng created the new crime of “agriculture production facility fraud,” and punishes whistleblowers, investigative journalists, and anyone who helps them report on problems uncovered at a factory farm, with imprisonment for up to two years. Legal scholars say the law is the most sweeping kind of free speech restriction, and an effort to halt speech before it can even be uttered. Animal advocates have conducted investigations to expose horrific animal cruelty, food safety problems, and other examples of criminal activity and malfeasance.

Seng was defeated in the primary by incumbent U.S. Rep. Dave Loebsack, who has a record of supporting numerous animal welfare issues. Loebsack voted to save taxpayer dollars and reduce the federal deficit by capping direct subsidies to factory farms, and has voted to ban animal “crush” videos, to make dogfighting and cockfighting a federal felony, to protect wild horses from commercial sale and slaughter, to prevent the import of sport-hunted polar bear trophies, to ban the trade in dangerous primates as pets, to pair service dogs with disabled veterans, and to prevent the weakening of the Endangered Species Act. He has also supported efforts to strengthen the enforcement of the Animal Welfare Act, the Humane Methods of Slaughter Act, the federal animal fighting law, and programs to address the needs of animals in disasters and ease the shortage of veterinarians in rural areas.

Media contacts: Heather Sullivan, (301) 548-7778, hsullivan@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.

WASHINGTON (May 31, 2012) -- The Humane Society Legislative Fund, the nation’s leading political advocacy group for animal welfare, announced that it has launched an independent expenditure campaign opposing state Sen. Joe Seng, D-Davenport, for the Democratic primary in Iowa’s 2nd congressional district. Seng led the effort to pass Iowa’s notorious “Ag Gag” bill (HF 589/SF 431), which aims to stop whistleblowers from exposing animal abuse, health violations and harassment at industrial factory farms.

The legislation championed by Seng created the new crime of “agriculture production facility fraud,” and punishes whistleblowers, investigative journalists, and anyone who helps them report on problems uncovered at a factory farm, with imprisonment for up to two years. Legal scholars say the law is the most sweeping kind of free speech restriction, and an effort to halt speech before it can even be uttered. Animal advocates have conducted investigations to expose horrific animal cruelty, food safety problems, and other examples of criminal activity and malfeasance.

HSLF has sent direct mail and e-mail to Democratic primary voters informing them of Seng’s record of working to silence or jail whistleblowers at industrial-style factory farms. The mailer quotes several newspaper editorials which had criticized Iowa’s “Ag Gag” bill when it was considered in the Iowa legislature:

• “How can it be a crime to tell the truth about farms?”—Des Moines Register, 3/1/12
• The bill “could lead to unfairly prosecuting animal-abuse whistle-blowers and perhaps even could undermine the integrity and safety of the state’s food industry….a dangerous step in a censorious direction.”—Iowa City Press-Citizen, 3/1/12
• “This restraint of free speech cannot be squared with either the U.S. or the Iowa constitutions.”—Des Moines Register, 3/19/11
• The chance of whistleblowers being charged with a crime under the new law will be “enough to keep many of them silent.”—Cedar Rapids Gazette, 2/3/12

What is Joe Seng hiding by punishing whistleblowers at factory farms?” said Sara Amundson, executive director of the Humane Society Legislative Fund. “We need elected officials who stand up for their constituents, not for special interests that want to be shielded from public discussion. Primary voters should say no to Joe Seng.”

Seng is challenging U.S. Rep. Dave Loebsack, who has a record of supporting numerous animal welfare issues. Loebsack voted to save taxpayer dollars and reduce the federal deficit by capping direct subsidies to factory farms, and has voted to ban animal “crush” videos, to make dogfighting and cockfighting a federal felony, to protect wild horses from commercial sale and slaughter, to prevent the import of sport-hunted polar bear trophies, to ban the trade in dangerous primates as pets, to pair service dogs with disabled veterans, and to prevent the weakening of the Endangered Species Act. He has also supported efforts to strengthen the enforcement of the Animal Welfare Act, the Humane Methods of Slaughter Act, the federal animal fighting law, and programs to address the needs of animals in disasters and ease the shortage of veterinarians in rural areas.

HSLF is urging primary voters to support Loebsack, and vote against Seng on June 5.

Media contact: Heather Sullivan, (240) 477-2251, hsullivan@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.

Proposed Federal Rule Would Close Internet Loophole in Animal Welfare Act Regulations

WASHINGTON (May 10, 2012) -- The Humane Society of the United States and the Humane Society Legislative Fund applaud U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and the U.S. Department of Agriculture for issuing a proposed rule designed to close the loophole in the Animal Welfare Act regulations that has allowed thousands of large-scale commercial puppy mills to operate without federal inspections or oversight, particularly operations that sell over the Internet.

“This is a very significant proposed federal action, since thousands of large-scale breeders take advantage of a loophole that allows them to escape any federal inspections,” said Wayne Pacelle, president and CEO of The Humane Society of the United States.  “Dogs in puppy mills often live in small, overcrowded cages, living in filth and denied veterinary care. We need more eyes on these operations, and this rule will help.”

Currently, the AWA regulations allow most large-scale, commercial puppy producers who sell puppies to distant buyers over the Internet or by phone, to avoid complying with even the most basic humane care standards. To view an HSUS fact sheet on the problems associated with Internet-based puppy mills, click here.

The proposed rule would require large-scale, commercial puppy breeders and dealers who sell to members of the public “sight unseen,” including those who sell over the Internet, to abide by the same basic standards of care as those who sell wholesale to pet stores. The proposed rule will not affect small hobby breeders who sell puppies directly to the public from their homes.

In 2011, more than 32,000 people signed a petition created by The HSUS and The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals on the official White House website urging the Obama administration to crack down on unregulated puppy mills.

Legislation currently being considered in Congress, the Puppy Uniform Protection and Safety (PUPS) Act, S. 707 and H.R. 835, would achieve a similar reform to the rule proposed today by USDA, and would require Internet puppy mill sellers to meet federal animal care standards. The HSUS and HSLF express their thanks to the bipartisan sponsors of the legislation, Sens. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., and David Vitter, R-La., and Reps. Jim Gerlach, R-Pa., Sam Farr, D-Calif., Bill Young, R-Fla., and Lois Capps, D-Calif., for advocating for this policy reform.

Announcement of the proposed rule change comes during Puppy Mill Action Week, The HSUS’ sixth annual event marking advocacy in support of stopping puppy mills. To learn more about the campaign to end puppy mills and activities marking the week, visit humanesociety.org/puppymills.

The proposed rule comes just a few months after the release of a shocking  HSUS investigation that demonstrated widespread consumer fraud and abuse throughout the commercial puppy mill industry, primarily due to lack of federal oversight of Internet puppy sellers. The investigation revealed that Purebred Breeders LLC, which owns and operates almost 800 websites, was found to be marketing dogs from puppy mills to unsuspecting buyers.

The investigation’s findings led The HSUS to collaborate with Florida-based consumer justice law firm, Leopold Law, to file a lawsuit against Purebred Breeders. The lawsuit, filed last November, alleges that the company uses deceptive sales practices to dupe unsuspecting consumers into purchasing dogs from puppy mills. To view video footage on the investigation, click here.

To view a short video of The HSUS President and CEO Wayne Pacelle commenting on the proposed rule change, click here.

Media contact: Rebecca Basu, (301) 258-3152, rbasu@humanesociety.org

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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.

The Humane Society of the United States is the nation’s largest animal protection organization, rated the most effective by its peers. Since 1954, The HSUS has been fighting for the protection of all animals through advocacy, education and hands-on programs. We rescue and care for tens of thousands of animals each year, but our primary mission is to prevent cruelty before it occurs. We're there for all animals, across America and around the world. Celebrating animals and confronting cruelty -- on the Web at humanesociety.org. Subscribe to the blog, A Humane Nation. Join The HSUS on Facebook. Follow The HSUS on Twitter. See our work for animals on your Apple or Android device by searching for our “Humane TV” app.

WASHINGTON (April 26, 2012) -- The Humane Society Legislative Fund, the nation’s leading political advocacy organization for animal welfare, announces its endorsement of Republican State Sen. Tony Strickland  for U.S. Representative in California’s 26th Congressional District. Citing his strong and consistent leadership on animal protection policies in the state legislature, the Humane Society Legislative Fund urges voters in the primary and in the general election to support Strickland.

“Tony Strickland has been a leader on animal issues, especially so within the Republican caucus in the state Senate,” said Wayne Pacelle, executive vice president of the Humane Society Legislative Fund. “He’s been a big factor in California cementing its place as the top state in the country on animal welfare policies, and we are looking forward to working with him on national policy in Congress.”

Strickland serves as the co-chair of the Animal Protection Caucus in the California legislature. Among his efforts, Strickland has:

• Co-authored legislation to crack down on animal fighting (SB 425). The bill was signed into law.
• Co-authored legislation to ban the sale of animals in parking lots and along roadsides. It also increases fines and possible jail time for those convicted of felony animal neglect (SB 917). The bill was signed into law.
• Co-authored legislation to prohibit criminals convicted of animal cruelty from owning animals for a specific period of time after their conviction (AB 1117). The bill was signed into law.
• Spoke out on the floor, led his caucus and voted for legislation prohibiting the sale of shark fins (AB 376), to reduce the demand for finning millions of sharks and leaving them to suffer and die at sea. The bill was signed into law.
• Supported efforts to promote the adoption of dogs and cats from shelters, including hosting events and participating in public service announcements about pet adoption.

Though the 26th district has new lines, it overlaps considerably with the current 24th Congressional district, which has been represented for 25 years by Rep. Elton Gallegly. Rep. Gallegly has been one of the leading advocates for animal protection in the House, and is co-chair of the Congressional Animal Protection Caucus.

Media contact: Heather Sullivan, (240) 477-2251, hsullivan@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.

Animal welfare groups support legislation to protect primates and people from dangerous and inhumane trade

WASHINGTON (March 30, 2012) -- The Humane Society of the United States, the Humane Society Legislative Fund and Born Free USA commend U.S. Reps. Michael Fitzpatrick, R-Pa., and Earl Blumenauer, D-Ore., for introducing H.R. 4306, the Captive Primate Safety Act, which amends the Lacey Act to prohibit interstate commerce in monkeys, apes and other nonhuman primates for the exotic pet trade.
 
The risk of keeping primates as pets has been illustrated time and time again, including the 2009 attack by a pet chimpanzee viciously mauling and disfiguring a Connecticut woman, who as a result required a full face transplant surgery.  Last October  in Zanesville, Ohio, a macaque monkey suspected of carrying herpes-B was released – along with around 50 other dangerous exotic ‘pets’ – by the owner of a private menagerie who then shot himself. While people cowered indoors and schools closed, law enforcement was forced to spend valuable resources hunting down escaped animals.
 
Since 1990, more than 200 people – including dozens of children – have been injured by primates, and many more incidents likely went unreported. Primates also pose disease risks, including transmission of Ebola, tuberculosis and herpes-B.
 
“Until Congress takes action, dangerous primates will continue to be sold over the Internet and this trafficking will put communities at risk across the country. These highly social and intelligent creatures deserve better than to languish in bedrooms and basements,” said Michael Markarian, chief program and policy officer of The Humane Society of the United States. “We are grateful to Congressmen Fitzpatrick and Blumenauer for working to pass this urgently needed public safety and animal welfare measure.”
 
In 2003, the Captive Wildlife Safety Act was signed into law to prohibit interstate commerce in lions, tigers and other big cats as pets. Because primates face similar inhumane treatment and pose similar threats to public health and safety, animal protection advocates seek to add them to the list of species prohibited in commercial trade.
 
“The stories about chimpanzees harming not just their owners, but also innocent bystanders, grab headlines and tend to be widely reported. However, even smaller primates can carry disease and potentially pose a threat to public health and well-being,” said Fitzpatrick. “This law is about protecting the public as well as the animals who are often trafficked under very inhumane circumstances.”
 
“The last few years demonstrate the continued need for a strengthening of the Lacey Act in many areas, particularly when dealing with large primates, whose at times deadly impact on their human companions has been documented too many times in the past three years,” said Blumenauer. “Preventing these tragedies going forward should be a key priority for this Congress, and I look forward to working with Rep. Fitzpatrick on the House side and Senator Boxer on the Senate side to protect our public health and safety.”
 
“The recent tragedy in Ohio put a spotlight on the enormous danger and suffering involved when exotic animals are kept in private possession,” said Adam Roberts, executive vice president of Born Free USA. “Yet, even after this incident and many more, the captive primate trade continues to flourish. There is no excuse for keeping exotics in private hands. Congress must pass the Captive Primate Safety Act now.”
 
Roughly half of the states already prohibit private possession of primates as pets, but primates are easily obtained via the Internet and through out-of-state dealers and auctions, making federal legislation necessary to support the efforts of state law enforcement.
 
The Captive Primate Safety Act is narrowly crafted to target the commerce in and private possession of primates, and would not impact zoos, universities or wildlife sanctuaries. The HSUS, HSLF and Born Free USA are calling on Congress to move the legislation expeditiously so it can be signed into law this year. This legislation was approved by the full House and by the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee during the last congressional session, but was not enacted into law.
 
A Senate version of the Captive Primate Safety Act, S. 1324, was introduced last July by U.S. Senators Barbara Boxer, D-Calif., David Vitter, R-La., and Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn.

Media contacts: Anna West, (301) 258-1518, awest@humanesociety.org
Rodi Rosensweig, (203) 270-8929, publicrelations@bornfreeusa.org

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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.

The Humane Society of the United States is the nation’s largest animal protection organization, rated the most effective by its peers. Since 1954, The HSUS has been fighting for the protection of all animals through advocacy, education and hands-on programs. We rescue and care for tens of thousands of animals each year, but our primary mission is to prevent cruelty before it occurs. We're there for all animals, across America and around the world. Celebrating animals and confronting cruelty -- on the Web at humanesociety.org. Subscribe to the blog, A Humane Nation. Join The HSUS on Facebook. Follow The HSUS on Twitter. See our work for animals on your Apple or Android device by searching for our “Humane TV” app.

WASHINGTON (March 29, 2012) -- The Humane Society Legislative Fund, the nation’s leading political advocacy organization for animal welfare, announces its endorsement of  Dina Titus in the Democratic primary for Nevada’s 1st Congressional District. Citing her strong and consistent support of animal protection policies, the Humane Society Legislative Fund urges primary voters to support Titus.

“Dina Titus has been a strong supporter of animal protection policies during her career in public service, and would continue to stand up for the values of kindness and compassion in Washington,” said Sara Amundson, executive director of the Humane Society Legislative Fund. “We encourage voters in the 1st District who care about the humane treatment of animals to support Dina Titus.”

Titus has been a leading supporter for animal protection. Among her efforts when she previously served in the U.S. Congress, Titus has:

• Sponsored a resolution to promote the adoption of wild horses and burros.
• Co-sponsored the Animal Crush Video Prohibition Act, which passed in 2010 and banned 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 Great Ape Protection and Cost Savings Act, to phase out 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.
• Co-sponsored the Puppy Uniform Protection and Safety (PUPS) Act, 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 American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act, to prohibit the long-distance transport (including export) of horses for slaughter for human consumption in other countries where horse meat is eaten.
• Voted to establish a program at Veterans Administration medical centers for veterans with post-deployment mental health issues such as post-traumatic stress disorder to train service dogs as a form of therapy, and the trained dogs would assist veterans with disabilities.
• Voted to restore the prohibition on the commercial sale and slaughter of free-roaming horses and burros.
• Voted to prohibit interstate and foreign commerce in primates for the pet trade, protecting public health and safety and preventing inhumane treatment and neglect.

Titus recently spoke out in favor of  common-sense animal protection policies, writing in a blog, “I have always been a strong defender of animals, wild and domestic. I hope you join me in ensuring Nevada’s animals are treated with kindness and given appropriate care.”

Media contact: Heather Sullivan, (301) 548-7778, hsullivan@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.

Scorecard evaluates elected officials on work for animals for the 2011 state legislative session

SACRAMENTO (March 20, 2012) -- The Humane Society Legislative Fund is releasing its California State Humane Scorecard for the 2011 state legislative session. The scorecard provides a snapshot of California state lawmakers’ records on animal welfare policies. Lawmakers are scored based on their floor votes on bills addressing such issues as animal fighting, microchipping shelter dogs, the road-side sales of animals, vaccinations, shark finning, spaying and neutering, animal cruelty and licensing.

"The California State Humane Scorecard provides an easy way for constituents to assess how their lawmakers acted on animal protection issues, and it helps chart the progress of our public policy work on behalf of animals in the state," said Sara Amundson, executive director of The Humane Society Legislative Fund. "In 2011, California lawmakers passed bills to upgrade the state’s anti-cockfighting law and to prohibit the sale of shark of fins, providing a much-needed protection against a very cruel practice. The anti-cruelty laws of a state are a reflection of our basic values and attitudes toward animals, and this collection of bills is a measurable step forward for the state of California."

The Humane Society Legislative Fund tracked nine bills during the session: S.B. 425, which increases fines for cockfighting, creating parity with dogfighting; S.B. 426, which defines repeat animal fighting as a nuisance; S.B. 702, which requires released shelter animals to be microchipped; S.B. 917, which bans the road-side sale of animals and increases the penalties for animal neglect; A.B. 258, which creates an exemption for rabies vaccinations for compromised dogs; A.B. 376, which prohibits the sale shark fin; A.B. 564, which re-establishes the Municipal Shelter Spay-Neuter Fund; A.B. 1117, which limits ownership of animals by convicted criminals; and A.B. 1121, which addresses barriers to licensing and improves funding for animal care/control activities.

Seven of the nine bills including S.B. 425, S.B. 426, S.B. 917, A.B. 258, A.B. 376, A.B. 564, and A.B. 1117, were signed into law in 2011. With the passage of these laws, California is now ranked No. 1 on The Humane Society of the United States’ “Humane State Ranking” of animal protection laws, a title it also held for 2010.

Highlights from the 2011 California Humane Scorecard include:

• Of the 119 members of the legislature scored, 44 received perfect 100 or 100+ percent scores--indicating a vote in support of animal protection for all nine scored bills, including 11 senators and 33 assemblymembers.
• Five members received more than 100 percent, reflecting their support of animal protection in all nine bills, as well as primary leadership on at least one of the scored bills. These members are: Assemblyman Paul Fong,D-22, Assemblywoman Cathleen Galgiani,D-17, Assemblyman Jared Huffman,D-06, Assemblyman Richard Pan, D-05, and Assemblyman Cameron Smyth, R-38.
• The average score for both senators and assemblymembers was 82.
• No senator scored less than 44 percent and 15 assemblymembers scored a 56 percent or less.
• The average passage rate was 88 percent, suggesting strong support for all nine bills.
• There are 26 members of the legislative animal protection caucus.

Media contact: Katie Jarl, (301) 258-1483, kjarl@hslf.org

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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.

One-Year Enforcement Grace Period Ends March 18

WASHINGTON (March 15, 2012) -- The Humane Society of the United States and Humane Society Legislative Fund put retailers on alert: starting Sunday, March 18, retailers could be subject to fines and jail time if they sell animal fur-trimmed garments without proper information in advertising and on labels as required by  the Truth in Fur Labeling Act of 2010 (P.L. 111-313).

“Retailers should check their shelves and websites to ensure that any animal fur garments are properly advertised and labeled—which includes providing the species and country of origin of the animal, even on fur trim,” said Michael Markarian, chief program and policy officer for The Humane Society of the United States. “We urge the Federal Trade Commission to aggressively pursue fur advertising and labeling scofflaws, both to protect consumers and to create a level playing field for law-abiding retailers.”

The legislation, which was signed by President Obama in December 2010, closed a loophole in the six-decade-old federal fur labeling law that previously allowed many fur-trimmed garments to go unlabeled if the value of the animal fur material was $150 or less. This loophole left consumers in the dark as to whether they were buying faux or real animal fur. March 18, 2012 marks the end of the Federal Trade Commission’s one-year enforcement grace period for any previously exempt garments that were already in retail stores.

Over the past several years, HSUS investigations have found scores of jackets trimmed with animal fur being sold at many major retailers across the country without labels or falsely advertised as "faux fur." Raccoon dog fur is the most commonly unlabeled, falsely advertised, and misrepresented species found being sold in the U.S., and there is documentation of this animal being skinned alive in China.

The HSUS and Humane Society Legislative Fund expressed their thanks to the sponsors of the 2010 legislation—Sens. Robert Menendez, D-N.J., Susan Collins, R-Maine, and David Vitter, R-La., and Reps. Jim Moran, D-Va., Mary Bono Mack, R-Calif., and Ed Whitfield, R-Ky.—for their leadership on this critical animal welfare and consumer protection issue, and to President Obama for signing the new policy into law.

Facts:

• In November 2011, The HSUS filed a legal petition with the FTC detailing evidence of 15 different animal fur-trimmed items falsely advertised as “faux”— more than half of which were unlabeled.
• Gucci Group, Burberry, Macy's, Bloomingdale's, Saks Fifth Avenue, Buffalo Exchange, Overstock.com, Ed Hardy, Victoria Bartlett, Charlotte Ronson, and Andrew Marc, among other retailers and designers, endorsed closing the fur labeling loophole.
• The Truth in Fur Labeling Act had 171 bipartisan cosponsors in the House, and 34 bipartisan cosponsors in the Senate. It passed the House by voice vote and the Senate by unanimous consent.   
• The HSUS testified in favor of The Truth in Fur Labeling Act at a House subcommittee hearing on May 13.

Media contact: Jordan Crump, (301) 548-7793, jcrump@humanesociety.org

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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.

Sen. David Vitter and Congressman Sam Farr Take Top Awards; 125 other Members of Congress Recognized

WASHINGTON (March 7, 2012) -- The Humane Society of the United States, the nation’s largest animal protection organization, and its affiliate, the Humane Society Legislative Fund, have announced the recipients of the congressional Humane Awards for 2011.

Top honors as 2011 Humane Legislators of the Year will go to:

• Sen. David Vitter, R-La., for his leadership on securing needed funding to strengthen USDA enforcement of key animal welfare laws, as well as on bills to require licensing and inspections of puppy mills selling directly to the public via the Internet or other means (the PUPS Act, S. 707) and to prohibit interstate and foreign commerce in nonhuman primates for the pet trade (the Captive Primate Safety Act, S. 1324). Sen. Vitter helped get a bipartisan group of 34 Sens. to join in seeking funding for USDA to improve its oversight of puppy mills, laboratories, zoos, circuses and other regulated facilities; rein in the illegal “soring” of show horses (where trainers inflict severe pain on the animals’ legs and hooves to make it hurt them to step down, so they will exaggerate their high-stepping gait and win prizes); strengthen enforcement of the humane slaughter law; prevent illegal animal fighting; ease a shortage of veterinarians in rural areas and USDA positions through student loan repayment; and help address the needs of animals in disasters. Sen. Vitter also has been a champion over the years on legislation to require accurate labeling of fur apparel regardless of dollar value, to crack down on dogfighting and cockfighting, to ban the creation and distribution of obscene animal torture (“crush”) videos, and to strengthen the law against shark finning (cutting the fins off and throwing the rest of the living animals back in the water).
• Congressman Sam Farr, D-Calif., for his leadership, as the Ranking Member of the House Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee, securing significant increases in funding to strengthen USDA enforcement of key animal welfare laws, as well as on bills to improve treatment of egg-laying hens and promote stability for egg farmers (the Egg Products Inspection Act Amendments, H.R. 3798) and to require licensing and inspections of puppy mills selling directly to the public via the Internet or other means (the PUPS Act, H.R. 835). Rep. Farr played a pivotal role in approving a USDA request to reprogram $4 million of FY 2011 funding so that the agency could address serious shortfalls in its oversight of puppy mills, identified by USDA’s own Inspector General, as well as obtaining a $5 million increase in USDA’s FY 2012 funding to enforce the Animal Welfare Act, which covers puppy mills, laboratories, zoos, circuses and other regulated facilities. Rep. Farr’s long history on this effort – he led the initial push for increased AWA funding back in 1999 and offered key guidance in the ensuing years – has been very successful. In the 1990s, AWA funding was stagnant at about $9 million per year; for FY 2012, Congress provided $27 million. In addition, Rep. Farr provided critical help last year winning enactment of a 40 percent increase in funding for the Horse Protection Act, the law that prohibits soring of show horses (the first time in decades that HPA enforcement, also strongly criticized by USDA’s Inspector General, received more than $500,000). Rep. Farr also earned a perfect score on the 2011 Humane Scorecard, and has championed animal protection dating from his service in the California Legislature.

“We commend Senator Vitter and Congressman Farr for their extraordinary leadership in advancing key animal protection laws and assuring that they are properly enforced,” said Wayne Pacelle, president and CEO of The HSUS. “They are determined advocates, and they both recognize that our society has a responsibility to care for other creatures and to show them mercy.”

Every year, the Humane Society Legislative Fund compiles a federal Humane Scorecard to provide a snapshot of animal protection issues considered by the U.S. Congress and give animal advocates a tool to assess the performance of their Senators and Representatives. The scorecard tracks key votes as well as co-sponsorship of important pro-animal bills and support for adequate funding needed to enforce key animal welfare laws.

For 2011, in addition to the top awards for Sen. Vitter and Rep. Farr:

• Humane Champion awards will go to 28 legislators who took the lead on animal welfare legislation and also received a perfect score on the 2011 Humane Scorecard.
• Legislative Leader awards will go to 64 legislators for their leadership as prime sponsors of pro-animal legislation.
• Humane Advocate awards will go to 33 legislators who received a perfect score on the 2011  Humane Scorecard.

In total, 127 legislators – nearly one-third of the Senate and one-quarter of the House (representing 38 states, three U. S. territories, and the District of Columbia) – will receive awards for their work in 2011. See the complete list of 2011 awardees.

“It is heartening to see again how animal protection issues bring Members of Congress together across party lines,” said HSLF President Michael Markarian. “We thank these leaders for their outstanding work to ensure that our federal laws reflect the core humane values and attitudes of American society.”

Previous recipients of the Humane Legislator of the Year Award include Reps. Elton Gallegly, R-Calif., and James Moran, D-Va., in 2010, Rep. Nick Rahall, D-W.Va., in 2009, Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., and Rep. John Conyers, D-Mich., in 2008, Rep. Earl Blumenauer, D-Ore., in 2007, Rep. Chris Shays, R-Conn., in 2006, and Sen. John Ensign, R-Nev., in 2005..

Media contacts: Heather Sullivan, (301) 548-7778, hsullivan@hslf.org

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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.

The Humane Society of the United States is the nation’s largest animal protection organization, rated the most effective by its peers. Since 1954, The HSUS has been fighting for the protection of all animals through advocacy, education and hands-on programs. We rescue and care for tens of thousands of animals each year, but our primary mission is to prevent cruelty before it occurs. We're there for all animals, across America and around the world. Celebrating animals and confronting cruelty -- on the Web at humanesociety.org. Subscribe to the blog, A Humane Nation. Join The HSUS on Facebook. Follow The HSUS on Twitter. See our work for animals on your Apple or Android device by searching for our “Humane TV” app.