U.S. Senate Approves Measure to Combat Animal Fighting

The Humane Society of the United States
Wednesday, 13 February 2002

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.

For more information, or to contact The Humane Society of the United States, see their website at: www.hsus.org