Press Release

WASHINGTON (Jan. 9, 2012) -- The Humane Society Legislative Fund, the nation’s leading political advocacy organization for animal welfare, announced its endorsement of Los Angeles City Councilman Tony Cardenas for California’s newly created 29th Congressional District. Citing his leadership and support of animal protection policies on the Los Angeles City Council and in the California State Assembly, the Humane Society Legislative Fund urges voters to support Cardenas.

“Tony Cardenas has been an active champion for sensible animal welfare policies in Los Angeles and in California, and has stood up for the values of kindness and compassion,” said Sara Amundson, executive director of the Humane Society Legislative Fund. “We urge California voters who care about humane issues to support Tony Cardenas for Congress.”

Cardenas has been a champion and strong supporter for animal protection during his service on the Los Angeles City Council and as a member of the California Assembly. During his public service at the city and state level, he:

• Created Los Angeles’ first Animal Cruelty Task Force which led to the arrests of dozens of animal abusers, including the conviction of a known gang member for abusing a family pet. The gang member was subsequently sentenced to three years in prison for the crime.
• Authored the Los Angeles spay/neuter ordinance to reduce the number of homeless animals, decrease euthanasia of healthy cats and dogs in city shelters and save taxpayer dollars by reducing the city’s pet overpopulation burden.
• Strongly supported city legislation cracking down on puppy mills where breeding dogs are often stacked in wire cages for years to produce litter after litter without exercise, veterinary care, socialization or human companionship.
• Supported city legislation prohibiting the private ownership of roosters to one per household, as a way to crack down on illegal cockfighting in the city.
• Voted to enact humane standards in markets selling live animals.
• Voted to upgrade license and sales requirements for trapping of fur-bearing animals.
• Voted to require the addition of a bittering agent to sweet-tasting antifreeze to prevent the poisoning of children, pets and endangered wildlife.
• Voted to require the use of cutting-edge alternatives to traditional animal tests for cosmetics, household products and industrial chemicals.

Media contact: Pepper Van Tassell, (301) 548-7793, 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.

WASHINGTON (Jan. 5, 2012) -- The Humane Society Legislative Fund, the nation’s leading political advocacy organization for animal welfare, announced its endorsement of former U.S. Rep. Chris Shays, R-Conn., in Connecticut’s U.S. Senate Republican primary. Citing his effective leadership and impact on animal protection policies, the Humane Society Legislative Fund urges Republican primary voters to support Shays.

“The humane community had perhaps no greater friend in Congress than Chris Shays,” said Michael Markarian, president of the Humane Society Legislative Fund. “He led the fights on important bills to protect pets, wildlife and farm animals, and stood up for the values of kindness and compassion. We urge Connecticut primary voters who care about the humane treatment of animals to support Chris Shays.”

Shays was a leading champion for animal protection while serving in the U.S. House of Representatives, and has helped to enact a number of new federal policies to stop animal cruelty and abuse. Among his efforts, Shays has:

• Received the 2006 Humane Legislator of the Year Award.
• Served as co-chair of the Congressional Friends of Animals Caucus.
• Consistently scored a perfect 100% on HSLF’s Humane Scorecard.
• Sponsored the Pets Evacuation and Transportation Standards (PETS) Act, which was signed into law in 2006 and now requires that pets and service animals are included in disaster plans.
• Sponsored the Farm Animal Stewardship Purchasing Act, which would require that any producers who sell meat, eggs, and dairy products to the federal government must meet a basic set of animal welfare standards.
• Sponsored the Sportsmanship in Hunting Act which would halt the interstate traffic of exotic mammals for the purpose of shooting them within fenced enclosures for trophies at “canned hunts.”
• Co-sponsored the Animal Fighting Enforcement Prohibition Act, which was signed into law in 2007 and strengthened the penalties for illegal dogfighting and cockfighting, making it a felony to transport animals across state lines for these gruesome and barbaric fights.
• Co-sponsored the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act to end the slaughter of tens of thousands of American horses for food exports to France, Belgium, and other countries.
• Co-sponsored the Puppy Protection Act and Pet Animal Welfare Statute to crack down on abusive “puppy mills” that treat the dogs like they are production machines.
• Co-sponsored the Polar Bear Protection Act and voted to stop wealthy American trophy hunters from shooting threatened polar bears in the Arctic for their heads and hides.
• Co-sponsored the Downed Animal and Food Safety Protection Act to protect our food supply from “mad cow disease” by stopping the abuse of sick and injured cattle.

Media contacts: Pepper Van Tassell, (240) 751-0232, 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.

National Animal Welfare Groups Call for Accelerated Action by President Obama to Crack Down on Puppy Mills

WASHINGTON (Dec. 30, 2011) -- The Humane Society of the United States, the Humane Society Legislative Fund and the ASPCA® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®) have announced that the White House has responded to a petition submitted by the organizations in November asking President Obama to crack down on puppy mills. The official response to the online petition, which was signed by more than 32,000 people, outlines the United States Department of Agriculture’s plans to improve oversight of commercial dog breeders by issuing rules to regulate those breeders who sell over the Internet. The animal welfare groups were encouraged by the news, but urged the White House to accelerate the time frame, and adopt the puppy mill rule without further delay.

The White House response also highlighted the USDA’s commitment to increase enforcement under the Animal Welfare Act and referenced the agency’s recent proposed rule to prevent young, and often sick, puppies from being imported into the United States.

“The Humane Society of the United States thanks the more than 32,000 animal lovers across the country who signed this petition and brought the issue of puppy mills directly to the President’s attention,” said Melanie Kahn, senior director of the Puppy Mills Campaign for The HSUS. “The changes outlined in President Obama’s response are a positive step toward closing the loophole that has allowed thousands of puppies to suffer for so long in unlicensed mass-breeding facilities. Much work needs to be done, since the draft rule has not yet been proposed, and we urge the Obama Administration to complete the process to crack down on abusive puppy mills and to allow no further delays in this process.”

The petition was submitted in October 2011 by The HSUS, The HSLF and the ASPCA® asking President Obama to help close a loophole in the Animal Welfare Act regulations that permits large-scale, commercial breeders who sell puppies online and directly to the public to escape basic oversight and minimal animal care standards. The petition quickly gathered more than 10,600 signatures in its first 30 days – doubling the threshold needed to assure an official response. It eventually became one of the most popular petitions on the White House website, and was the top active petition for several weeks in November.

“We applaud the USDA for taking this step,” said Sara Amundson, executive director of the Humane Society Legislative Fund, “For too long, the USDA has avoided regulating and inspecting commercial breeders selling puppies over the Internet to unsuspecting consumers.”

“The existing regulatory loophole currently allows many commercial breeders to operate without a license and without any inspection—meaning they are not accountable to anyone for their breeding and care standards,” added Cori Menkin, senior director of the puppy mills campaign at the ASPCA. “The ASPCA is encouraged that the USDA has committed to help end the suffering of millions of breeding dogs and protect consumers by finally closing this loophole.”

On December 7, The “Today” show aired The HSUS’ expose of Purebred Breeders LLC, thought to be the nation's largest online seller of puppies. The investigation highlighted the connection between Purebred Breeders and inhumane commercial-breeding facilities known as puppy mills, where dogs are often confined in small, stacked wire cages, with no exercise, veterinary care, socialization, or human companionship. HSUS attorneys, in partnership with Florida firm Leopold Law, have also filed suit in Florida state court on behalf of HSUS members and other consumers who received sick or dying dogs from Purebred Breeders. Anyone who has bought a sick dog online is urged to fill out The HSUS’ official complaint form.

Media contacts: Jordan Crump, (301) 548-7793, jcrump@humanesociety.org
Rebecca Goldrick, (646) 291-4582, rebecca.goldrick@aspca.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 (Dec. 13, 2011) -- The Humane Society Legislative Fund, the nation’s leading political advocacy organization for animal welfare, announced its endorsement of U.S. Rep. Gary Peters, D-Mich., in the Democratic primary for Michigan’s newly created 14th Congressional District. Citing his effective leadership and impact on animal protection policies, the Humane Society Legislative Fund urges primary voters to support Peters.

“Gary Peters has been an effective leader in protecting animals and fighting against cruelty throughout his career in the state legislature and in Congress,” said Michael Markarian, president of the Humane Society Legislative Fund. “He is working to protect pets, wildlife, and farm animals, and standing up for the values of kindness and compassion. We urge voters in the 14th District who care about the humane treatment of animals to support Gary Peters.”

Peters has been a leading champion for animal protection in Congress, and has helped to enact a number of new federal policies to stop animal cruelty and abuse. Among his efforts, Peters has:

• Sponsored the Prevention of Interstate Commerce in Animal Crush Videos 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).
• Led a bipartisan effort urging the U.S. Army to stop poisoning live vervet monkeys with overdoses of toxic chemicals at Aberdeen Proving Ground. The Army announced that the monkeys will be replaced with humane, non-animal alternatives in future chemical warfare training.
• Sponsored an amendment to the Agriculture Appropriations Bill to save millions of tax dollars and stop the federal government from using toxic poisons, steel-jawed leghold traps, aerial gunning and other inhumane methods of killing wildlife as a subsidy for private livestock ranchers.
• 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 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 Animal Fighting Spectator Prohibition Act, H.R. 2492, to establish misdemeanor penalties for knowingly attending an organized dogfight or cockfight, and felony penalties for bringing a minor to such a fight.
• 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 considered a delicacy.

Media contact: Pepper Van Tassell, (240) 751-0232, 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.

HSLF Applauds Senators Blumenthal, Kirk, Cantwell, and Brown for Introducing this Anti-Crime and Anti-Cruelty Legislation

(Dec. 6, 2011) -- The Humane Society of the United States and Humane Society Legislative Fund applaud U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., Mark Kirk, R-Ill., Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., and Scott Brown, R-Mass., for today introducing the bipartisan Animal Fighting Spectator Prohibition Act of 2011, which would prohibit knowing attendance at organized animal fights and impose additional penalties for causing a minor to attend such events.

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. A House version of the bill, H.R. 2492, was introduced in July by U.S. Reps. Tom Marino, R-Pa., and Betty Sutton, D-Ohio, and now has 129 cosponsors.

“Spectators are participants and accomplices who enable the crime of animal fighting, make the criminal enterprise profitable through their admission fees and gambling wagers, and help conceal handlers and organizers who try to blend into the crowd when a bust occurs,” said Wayne Pacelle, president and CEO of The HSUS. “We are grateful to Senators Blumenthal, Kirk, Cantwell and Brown for their leadership on this important anti-crime and anti-cruelty legislation. We call on Congress to swiftly pass it and give law enforcement the tools they need to crack down on the entire cast of characters involved in animal fighting.”

It is illegal in 49 states to be a knowing spectator at an animal fight. A majority – 28 states – impose felony-level penalties on spectators. This bill imposes federal misdemeanor penalties for knowing attendance and felony penalties for causing a minor to attend. State and federal law enforcement agencies often work together to enforce animal fighting laws, and the federal law will complement the state laws on animal fighting spectators.

“Animal fighting is a cruel and inhumane criminal enterprise perpetuated by the spectators who fund it,” said Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn. “This bill seeks to extinguish the horrific treatment of animals and risks to public safety associated with animal fighting. Exposing innocent children to animal fighting as spectators unconscionably continues the vicious cycle of cruelty and abuse.”

"By making it a crime to knowingly attend an animal fight we deny event organizers the revenue that funds future events," said Sen. Mark Kirk, R-Ill. "This legislation is consistent with state animal fighting laws and closes the final loophole to ending the inhumane practice of animal fighting. Just last month in Illinois, a Cook County judge found a South Holland resident guilty of running a dog fighting ring following a 2007 raid on a compound that rescued 37 dogs and found materials consistent with dog fighting. This bipartisan legislation would prevent large dog fighting rings like this from operating."

“Enacting tough penalties is an important step to end the cruel practice of animal fighting,” said Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash. “We’ve made great progress already in disrupting animal fighting by making it a federal crime to transport animals for fighting across state lines. This bill would build on that success by giving law enforcement new tools to crack down on those who attend and participate in illegal animal fighting.”

“I am proud to help lead a bipartisan effort which will give law enforcement and prosecutors additional tools to combat animal cruelty,” said Sen. Scott Brown, R-Mass. “Animal fighting events are barbaric and cesspools of gang and other criminal activity.”

The law would not affect “innocent bystanders” or reach to situations where two animals fight without provocation by animal fighting organizers. 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.

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 of 2011 has been endorsed by 89 law enforcement agencies from 32 states.

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

HSLF, Other Animal Welfare Groups Ask President Obama to Help Dogs by Cracking Down on Puppy Mills

WASHINGTON (Oct. 3, 2011) – Less than ten days since its filing, a petition submitted to the White House from The Humane Society Legislative Fund, The Humane Society of the United States and the ASPCA® (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) asking President Obama to crack down on puppy mills gathered more than 10,600 signatures – doubling the threshold needed to assure an official response.

The groups submitted this petition using a new feature on the White House website called “We the People,” which allows individuals to seek federal action. In turn, the White House promises a response to any petition gathering at least 5,000 signatures within 30 days. The anti-puppy mill petition met the requirement in less than one week, and as of today has more than 10,600 signatures. The petition is now the most popular animal-related petition on the White House website, and one of the top 15 overall.

“Thousands of animal lovers across the country are bringing the issue of puppy mills directly to the President’s attention,” said Melanie Kahn, senior director of the Puppy Mills Campaign for The HSUS. “The petition asks the President to close a loophole that permits large-scale, commercial breeders who sell puppies online and directly to the public to escape basic oversight and minimal animal care standards. The Obama Administration needs to act now and close this loophole to crack down on the worst puppy mill abuses.”

“The ASPCA has seen first-hand the unspeakable cruelty and horrific conditions of puppy mills,” said Cori Menkin, senior director of the puppy mills campaign at The ASPCA. “The existing regulatory loophole allows many commercial breeders to operate without a license and without any inspection—meaning they are not accountable to anyone for their breeding and care standards. President Obama can take action to protect dogs and consumers and we urge him to do so.”

“For too long the U.S. Department of Agriculture has not regulated or inspected commercial breeders selling puppies over the Internet to unsuspecting consumers. The Obama Administration has taken the first step to shutting down the foreign imports of underage puppies. Now it’s time to properly oversee all large-scale puppy mills in the United States,” said Sara Amundson, executive director of the Humane Society Legislative Fund.

Dogs in puppy mills typically are confined inside cramped wire cages for life, receive little to no medical care, and live in squalid conditions with little or no exercise, socialization or human interaction. The dogs must endure constant breeding cycles, often at the expense of their own health. Puppy mill dogs are sold in pet stores, online and directly to unsuspecting consumers with little to no regard for the dog’s health, genetic history or future welfare.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture recently issued a proposed rule to prohibit the import of puppies younger than six months of age from foreign puppy mills for commercial resale in the United States, implementing a law passed by Congress in the 2008 Farm Bill. This White House petition calls on the agency to close a loophole in the Animal Welfare Act which regulates large-scale commercial dog breeders who sell puppies wholesale to brokers or pet stores, but provides no oversight or standards for those who sell directly to the public through newspaper ads or the Internet.

Additional signatures are still encouraged to allow the petition to reach the status of “most popular” on the White House website. Those who wish to sign should go to: wh.gov/gdb.

Media contacts: Jordan Crump, 240-654-2964, jcrump@humanesociety.org
Rebecca McNeill, 646-291-4582, rebeccam@aspca.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.

The Humane Society Veterinary Medical Association was formed as a home for veterinary professionals who want to join together to speak out for animals, engage in direct care programs for animals in need, and educate the public and others in the profession about animal welfare issues. The HSVMA is an affiliate of The Humane Society of the United States -- on the Web at hsvma.org.

Founded in 1866, the ASPCA® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®) is the first animal welfare organization in North America and serves as the nation’s leading voice for animals. More than two million supporters strong, the ASPCA’s mission is to provide effective means for the prevention of cruelty to animals throughout the United States. As a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation, the ASPCA is a national leader in the areas of anti-cruelty, community outreach and animal health services. For more information, please visit ASPCA.org, and be sure to follow the ASPCA on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest.

Change.org is the world’s fastest-growing platform for social change—growing by one million new members a month, and empowering millions of people to start, join, and win campaigns for social change in their community, city and country.

Best Friends Animal Society, named Animal Welfare Non-Profit National Brand of the Year based on the 2012 Harris Poll EquiTrend® study, is a national animal welfare organization building no-kill programs and partnerships that will bring about a day when there are No More HomelessPets®. The society's leading initiatives in animal care and community programs are coordinated from its Kanab, Utah headquarters, the country's largest no-kill sanctuary. This work is made possible by the personal and financial support of a grassroots network of supporters and community partners across the nation.

The Humane Society of the United States Commends Reps. Marino and Sutton for Bill to Penalize Criminals who Finance and Bring Children to Dogfights and Cockfights

WASHINGTON (July 12, 2011) — The Humane Society of the United States and Humane Society Legislative Fund applaud U.S. Reps. Tom Marino, R-Pa., and Betty Sutton, D-Ohio, for introducing bipartisan federal legislation, H.R. 2492, that would prohibit knowing attendance at organized animal fights and impose additional penalties for causing a minor to attend such events. Over the past decade, Congress has strengthened the penalties for and closed major loopholes in the federal animal fighting law, but has left the issue of spectators unaddressed. The Marino-Sutton bill 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, provide a large share of the funding for the criminal enterprise through their admission fees and gambling wagers, and help conceal handlers and organizers who try to blend into the crowd when a bust occurs,” said Wayne Pacelle, president and CEO of The HSUS. “We are grateful to Representatives Marino and Sutton for introducing this legislation. We call on Congress to swiftly pass it and give law enforcement the tools they need to crack down on the entire cast of characters involved in animal fighting.”

Animal fighting is an inhumane and cruel activity involving the deliberate pitting of animals against each other to fight, often for lengthy contests that end in death, for the sole purpose of gambling and entertainment of spectators. Animals used for fighting are often drugged to heighten their aggression and forced to keep fighting even after they’ve suffered grievous injuries such as broken bones, deep gashes, punctured lungs, and pierced eyes. Young children are often brought to these events and exposed to the gruesome spectacle as acceptable entertainment.

“As a former state and federal prosecutor, I’ve seen first-hand the criminal culture that surrounds animal fighting events and the damaging influence this environment has on our children,” said Rep. Marino. “We try to protect our kids from criminal violence and yet there is no safeguard for those adults who take impressionable children to animal fights where they can witness these heinous acts in person. I introduced this legislation to make sure that law enforcement has all of the tools necessary to deprive the organizers and profiteers of these horrific events from receiving the support they need to continue this activity.”

“Animal fighting is a horrible and barbaric activity, and by making it a federal crime for individuals to knowingly attend these events or bring minors to them, we will make tremendous strides in putting an end to it once and for all,” said Rep. Sutton. “I am proud to stand with Members from both sides of the aisle and look forward to passing this common-sense, humane legislation.”

It is illegal in 49 states to be a knowing spectator at an animal fight. A majority – 28 states – impose felony-level penalties on spectators. The Marino-Sutton bill imposes federal misdemeanor penalties for knowing attendance and felony penalties for causing a minor to attend. State and federal law enforcement agencies often work together to enforce animal fighting laws, and the federal law will complement the state laws on animal fighting spectators.

The law would not reach to individuals who are not aware they are present at an animal fight or situations where two animals fight without provocation by animal fighting organizers. Because organized animal fighting is a federal crime and illegal in all 50 states, this activity is highly clandestine. Spectators at animal fights don’t just accidentally happen upon a fight – they seek out the criminal activity at secret locations, often need passwords to enter, and pay hefty admission fees for the opportunity to watch and gamble on the fights – facts that a prosecutor might use as evidence to prove that a defendant knowingly attended.

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.
• Spectators provide cover for animal fighters, who weave into crowds to evade prosecution at the first sign of a police raid.
• 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.
• Cockfighting has been linked to the death of a number of people in Asia from bird flu and to an outbreak of a poultry disease that cost U.S. taxpayers more than $200 million to contain.
• 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.

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.

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.

(June 14, 2011) —The Humane Society of the United States and Humane Society Legislative Fund are urging the U.S. House of Representatives to approve amendments to reduce federal spending for lethal predator control and subsidies to massive factory farms, and oppose efforts to add funding to re-open horse slaughter plants.

“At a time when so many lawmakers are focused on deficit reduction, we can save millions of taxpayer dollars and save animals by reforming harmful government programs,” said Michael Markarian, chief operating officer of The HSUS and president of HSLF. “Costly and inhumane killing of predators with poisons and aerial gunning, subsidizing foreign-owned horse slaughter plants, and excessive hand-outs to factory farms that drive out smaller, more humane, sustainable farms, are all wastes of tax dollars.”

Lethal Predator Control

Reps. John Campbell, R-Calif., Peter DeFazio, D-Ore., and Gary Peters, D-Mich. will offer an amendment to cut $11 million in USDA’s budget to curb the taxpayer subsidy for lethal predator control by the agency’s Wildlife Services division. This antiquated program has been wasting millions of taxpayer dollars and recklessly killing animals with steel-jawed leghold traps, toxic poisons, aerial gunning, and other inhumane methods. The poisons, particularly Compound 1080 and M-44 sodium cyanide devices, are so deadly and indiscriminate that they have killed family pets and endangered species in addition to killing their intended targets. Moreover, they are ineffective, since other predators simply move into the vacant territory.

The Campbell-DeFazio-Peters amendment leaves funding for legitimate concerns, such as airport safety, but it halts the fleecing of American taxpayers as a subsidy for wealthy ranchers and begins to shift the agency toward a greater balance with cost-effective and non-lethal solutions. This program spent $78 million on operations in FY10 to address conflicts with wildlife, mostly through lethal methods.

USDA Inspections of Horse Slaughter Plants

The HSUS and HSLF are urging members of the House to reject any effort to repeal a provision of the bill that prohibits federal funding for USDA inspections at horse slaughter plants. Every year since 2005, the Agriculture Appropriations bill has included such a provision, which ensured the permanent closure of the last remaining equine abattoirs in Illinois and Texas and has prevented other cruel horse slaughter plants from opening around the country. Americans do not eat horsemeat and more than 70 percent of the country views horse slaughter as a cruel, unnecessary practice.

Subsidizing government inspections of foreign-owned horse slaughter plants could cost U.S. taxpayers about $5 million annually. It would be a waste of tax dollars for Congress to add such expenditures, given all the attention on cutting federal spending. It is foreign gourmands who want this product and would benefit from USDA inspection of horse slaughter plants, at the expense of American taxpayers. As Congress works to cut the budget in every possible way, it should continue to prevent the addition of millions of dollars to the deficit, simply to allow our nation’s horses again to be subjected to cruel slaughter to satisfy foreign markets.

Farm Subsidies

Reps. Jeff Flake, R-Ariz., and Earl Blumenauer, D-Ore., are leading an effort in the House to limit farm payments to large-scale producers. Rep. Flake successfully offered an amendment in the House Appropriations Committee to end subsidies for wealthy producers, but that may face a challenge on the House floor. Rep. Blumenauer plans to offer an amendment to cap the size of farm subsidies.

Payments to megafarms are driving small- and mid-sized more humane, sustainable family farms out of business. Excessive commodity subsidies keep animal feed artificially cheap and encourage massive factory farm development. From 1995 to 2009, federal farm subsidies cost taxpayers a quarter of a trillion dollars. They drive up the deficit while jeopardizing public health, the environment, and animal welfare.

Media contact: Stephanie Twining, (301) 258-1491, stwining@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.

SB 1301 to add bittering agent to deadly chemical unanimously passes

(April 14, 2011) — The Humane Society of the United States, on behalf of its more than 500,000 supporters in Texas, and the Humane Society Legislative Fund, praise the Texas Senate for approving a measure that will reduce the number of childhood poisonings and save tens of thousands of animals each year. The bill, S.B. 1310, which requires a bittering agent to be added to antifreeze and engine coolant products so that children, pets and wildlife are not poisoned by the sweet-tasting liquid, was championed by Sen. Bob Deuell, R – District 2.

“The passage of S.B. 1301 will help reduce the number of child poisonings and save thousands of animals each year,” said Nicole Paquette, Texas senior state director for The HSUS. “We are very grateful to Sen. Deuell for his leadership on this important piece of legislation, and to all of the members of the Texas Senate who supported the bill.”

The bill passed the Senate on Wednesday by a vote of 31 to 0. The bill now goes to the House where it will be referred to a committee for potential action. The bill had broad support including The HSUS, HSLF, Honeywell, the Consumer Specialty Products Association, Texas Medical Association, Texas Veterinary Medical Association, Texas Animal Control Association, and the Texas Humane Legislation Network.

An estimated 1,400 children and 10,000 animals are poisoned each year after ingesting ethylene glycol, a highly toxic chemical used to make antifreeze and coolant for automobiles. Ethylene glycol's sweet smell and taste makes the deadly substance attractive to animals and children. The bill will require manufacturers to add denatonium benzoate, the bitterest known chemical, which renders the product unpalatable, to antifreeze and coolant sold in the state. It is estimated that it will cost manufacturers an additional two to three cents per gallon to add the bittering agent.

If signed by Gov. Perry, Texas will become the 16thstate to pass a bill requiring antifreeze contain a bittering agent. The other states where The HSUS and HSLF have worked to pass similar legislation are: Arizona, California, Illinois, Maine, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oregon, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia and Wisconsin.

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

Legislation would close loophole in current law exempting Internet puppy sales from animal welfare standards

(April 1, 2011) — The Humane Society of the United States and Humane Society Legislative Fund commend Senators Richard Durbin (D-Ill.) and David Vitter (R-La.) for reintroducing legislation that will allow oversight of abusive puppy mills in the United States. Puppy mills are large-scale, commercial breeding operations where dogs are commonly housed in overcrowded, filthy, and inhumane conditions. S. 707—known as the PUPS Act, for "Puppy Uniform Protection and Safety Act "— will close a loophole in the Animal Welfare Act that currently allows large-scale, commercial breeders who sell puppies online or directly to the public to escape licensing and regulation.

H.R. 835, a companion bill introduced last month in the House of Representatives by Reps. Jim Gerlach, R-Pa., Sam Farr, D-Calif., Bill Young, R-Fla., and Lois Capps, D-Calif., already has 86 cosponsors.

The legislation would also require that dogs used for breeding be provided daily exercise. Breeding dogs in puppy mills are typically forced to live their entire lives in small cages with no opportunity for exercise, little or no socialization, and minimal human interaction.

"Dogs should be treated like family pets, not like a cash crop," said Wayne Pacelle, president and CEO of The HSUS. "The federal law regarding the care of dogs at commercial dog-breeding operations is grossly overdue for reform, and this legislation will correct some of the worst gaps and deficiencies in current law."

Facilities that breed dogs for commercial resale through pet stores are required to be licensed and inspected under the federal Animal Welfare Act. However, puppy mills that sell directly to the public are exempt from any federal oversight whatsoever. Unregulated Internet sellers and other direct sales facilities sell thousands of puppies a year to unsuspecting consumers. Due to improper care by these breeders, these puppies are often sick, leaving outraged consumers with frail, sometimes dying puppies, high vet bills and broken hearts. Meanwhile, the breeding dogs at these facilities often spend their entire lives in constant confinement, suffering, and deprivation.

In 2010, the USDA Office of Inspector General released a report criticizing the department’s history of lax oversight of dog dealers under the Animal Welfare Act. The OIG reviewed inspections and enforcement actions taken against dealers from 2006 to 2008 and found that USDA inspectors failed to cite or properly document inhumane treatment and brought little to no enforcement actions against violators. This audit mirrors what The HSUS has been reporting for years, that USDA has historically allowed dog dealers to violate the law without fear of any kind of aggressive enforcement actions.

Last year, USDA announced that the administration was going to take a tougher stance on repeat offenders of the law by conducting more inspections and imposing higher fines. As recommended by the OIG, the agency has conveyed to Congress the need to bring producers selling directly to the public under the AWA and close what the agency acknowledged is "a massive loophole."

"The media regularly reports stories about dogs rescued from substandard facilities -- where dogs are housed in stacked wire cages and seriously ill and injured dogs are routinely denied access to veterinary care," said Senator Richard Durbin. "Sadly, online dog sales have contributed to the rise of these disturbing cases. My bipartisan bill requires breeders who sell more than 50 dogs a year directly to the public to obtain a license from the USDA and ensures that the dogs receive proper care."

“Too many loopholes have allowed dog breeders to get away with abusive behavior, and this bill makes necessary reforms to ensure that puppies are treated humanely,” said Senator David Vitter.

The legislation will close the loophole in the AWA that allows thousands of commercial breeders to go unregulated. It will require the following changes to the AWA:

• All dog breeders who sell more than 50 puppies per year directly to the public will be federally licensed and inspected..
• Dogs at commercial breeding facilities must be given the opportunity to exercise for 60 minutes a day.
• The bill will not affect small breeders and hobby breeders who sell fewer than 50 dogs per year directly to the public, but is crafted to cover only large-scale commercial breeding facilities.

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.