Help Stiffen Penalties For Dog Fighters – Contact Your Congressmen
Thanks to Roxie’s mom, Karen, for barking in about this hold up on a vital bill in the US House of Representatives!
Karen Vigil wrote:
Hi Joy,I saw this article this morning on PET-ABUSE.COM
Dog fighting Bill held up in House.
Maybe some Dogster parents from Wisconsin who may have voted for Mr.Sensenbrenner, can email and ask him (politely) what his problem is in trying to save some of Gods creatures from this kind of abuse, usually by Gang Members and Drug Addicts? He’s correct in saying there are bigger problems in this world. However, anyone with any SENSE would know its a huge issue that needs addressing.
Thanks Joy, we love the Dog Blog and all the great information.
Karen, Roxie and Family
Here’s part of the article Karen is barking about on Pet-Abuse.com. It sounds to me like maybe Sensenbrenner could have some reason for opposing the bill. His hiding behind terrorism as a reason NOT to enable those fighting against this form of animal abuse sounds a bit too self-serving to me. If I’m wrong Rep. Sensenbrenner, prove it! Support this bill and help make it into law!
Animal fighting bill held up in House
A bill to toughen penalties for cockfighting and dog fighting sponsored by Rep. Mark Green is being held up in the House Judiciary Committee by chairman and fellow Wisconsin Republican Jim Sensenbrenner.
“I have spoken to Chairman Sensenbrenner and we don’t agree on the importance of this issue,” Green said in a statement. “Animal fighting is wrong, and we need to take steps to enhance penalties for those who do it.”
However, Sensenbrenner, of Menomonee Falls, says Congress has too many other important priorities to worry about, such as border security, terrorist tribunals and wiretapping laws.
The Animal Fighting Prohibition Enforcement Act of 2005 would increase the penalties for “buying, selling, delivering, or transporting” animals across state lines or from other countries for the purpose of fighting. The proposed legislation would change the crime from a misdemeanor to a felony, punishable by up to two years in jail.
Green’s bill, which was first introduced on Feb. 15, 2005, has 324 co-sponsors in the House, nearly 75% of the body. The Senate passed the bill last year.
Green, a candidate for governor from Green Bay, said he was “committed to trying to get this bill passed as soon as possible” and he already had spoken with House Speaker Dennis Hastert and Majority Leader John Boehner about getting the bill onto the House floor.
In a statement, Sensenbrenner said, “Animal fighting is an abhorrent practice but is best handled by those already working to combat its practice – state and local officials.” However, the statement does not specifically say how he would vote on Green’s bill.
Asked how the chairman would vote on the issue, Jeff Lungren, a spokesman for the House Judiciary Committee, said he could not elaborate on the issue and referred reporters to Sensenbrenner’s statement.
Cockfighting already is banned in every state except Louisiana and New Mexico, and dog fighting is banned in every state.
The bill’s supporters are trying to bypass Sensenbrenner and bring the bill to the House floor under “suspension,” a procedure that allows bills to come up for limited debate and requires a two-thirds vote for passage.
On Monday, the Humane Society of the United States appealed to Boehner to schedule a vote.
