WASHINGTON - The Humane Society of the United States is
applauding the Senate for passing a Farm bill that includes
language that is expected to have a devastating impact on the
animal fighting industry in the United States. The provision,
pushed by Senators Wayne Allard (R-CO) and embraced by
Agriculture Committee Chairman Tom Harkin (D-IA) and ranking
committee Republican Richard Lugar (R-IN), bars any interstate
shipment of birds for fighting and any export of fighting dogs
or birds. The provision also increases penalties for any
violation of the animal fighting section of the Animal Welfare
Act, doubling current jail time and tripling fines.
The House approved identical language offered on the House
floor on October 4, 2001 by Representatives Earl Blumenauer
(D-OR) and Tom Tancredo (R-CO). Rep. Collin Peterson introduced
the original House anti-cockfighting bill, which has 212
cosponsors.
"The passage of this measure signals the beginning of the
end of the animal fighting industry in the United States,"
states Wayne Pacelle, a senior vice president of The Humane
Society of the United States. "Cockfighting is a gruesome and
barbaric practice in which roosters are placed in a pit so they
hack each other to death for the amusement and illegal wagering
of spectators, and it practice should receive no protection
under state or federal law. We are grateful to Senators Allard
and Harkin for their leadership and diligence in working to
secure passage of this provision."
"After more than a three-year battle, we have scored a big
victory in the United States Senate, said U.S. Senator Wayne
Allard (R-CO). "As a veterinarian, I view cockfighting as an
inherently cruel and inhumane practice. This provision will
enhance the efforts of law enforcement officials to combat this
illegal activity taking place in their communities."
The HSUS charges that the existing federal law dealing with
animal fighting contains loopholes that undermine enforcement
of bans against cockfighting in 47 states. Cockfighters can
claim they possess birds for shipment to the three legal
cockfighting states and to foreign countries, when, in reality,
they intend to stage illegal cockfights within their own
states.
Because the House and Senate approved identical provisions
on animal fighting, the provision should not be subject to
further discussion in the conference committee.
"After the President signs the Farm bill, there will be no
excuse for an individual to possess fighting birds in a state
where the activity is illegal," comments Pacelle.
