Two Labs rest together.
Credit: Dogster.com | ©Laura Long-Edwards
On March 15th the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee unanimously approved a bill strengthening the nation's animal fighting laws.
According to a press release from the Humane Society of the U.S. (HSUS), the committee approved S. 261, the Animal Fighting Prohibition Enforcement Act.
"Organized animal fighters are responsible not only for animal cruelty, but often narcotics traffic, illegal gambling, public corruption, and violence toward people," said Wayne Pacelle, president and CEO of HSUS in the release.
The House version of the bill, H.R. 137 cleared the House Judiciary Committee last month.
S. 261 has 33 co-sponsors and its House companion, H.R. 137 has 303 co-sponsors, according to HSUS.
More than 500 groups have endorsed the bills, including all major humane organizations, the American Veterinary Medical Association, the National Chicken Council, the National Sheriffs' Association and more than 400 local law enforcement agencies covering all 50 states, states HSUS literature.
The bill establishes a felony-level penalty of up to three years of jail time for any interstate or foreign transport of animals for fighting purposes, according to research.
Dog fighting is illegal in all 50 states, states the HSUS website.
Lawmakers across the country are trying to strengthen anti-animal fighting laws.
In April 2005, the Senate approved a nearly identical bill, but it died in the House when it was blocked by then-Chairman James Sensenbrenner (R-Wis.) although it had the bipartisan support of 324 co-sponsors, which was more than any other pending bill in the 109th Congress.
On March 1st this year the House Judiciary Committee filed a report on H.R. 137 and the House Agriculture Committee waived jurisdiction, preparing for floor action.
Feb. 7th the House Judiciary Committee approved H.R. 137 by a voice vote. On Jan. 11th Senators Cantwell, Ensign, Specter, and Feinstein introduced S. 261 with six additional original co-sponsors.
On Jan. 4th Representatives Gallegly, Blumenauer, and Bartlett introduced H.R. 137.
On April 29, 2005 the Senate approved S. 382 by a unanimous voice vote.
According to a press release from the Humane Society of the U.S. (HSUS), the committee approved S. 261, the Animal Fighting Prohibition Enforcement Act.
"Organized animal fighters are responsible not only for animal cruelty, but often narcotics traffic, illegal gambling, public corruption, and violence toward people," said Wayne Pacelle, president and CEO of HSUS in the release.
The House version of the bill, H.R. 137 cleared the House Judiciary Committee last month.
S. 261 has 33 co-sponsors and its House companion, H.R. 137 has 303 co-sponsors, according to HSUS.
More than 500 groups have endorsed the bills, including all major humane organizations, the American Veterinary Medical Association, the National Chicken Council, the National Sheriffs' Association and more than 400 local law enforcement agencies covering all 50 states, states HSUS literature.
The bill establishes a felony-level penalty of up to three years of jail time for any interstate or foreign transport of animals for fighting purposes, according to research.
Dog fighting is illegal in all 50 states, states the HSUS website.
Lawmakers across the country are trying to strengthen anti-animal fighting laws.
In April 2005, the Senate approved a nearly identical bill, but it died in the House when it was blocked by then-Chairman James Sensenbrenner (R-Wis.) although it had the bipartisan support of 324 co-sponsors, which was more than any other pending bill in the 109th Congress.
On March 1st this year the House Judiciary Committee filed a report on H.R. 137 and the House Agriculture Committee waived jurisdiction, preparing for floor action.
Feb. 7th the House Judiciary Committee approved H.R. 137 by a voice vote. On Jan. 11th Senators Cantwell, Ensign, Specter, and Feinstein introduced S. 261 with six additional original co-sponsors.
On Jan. 4th Representatives Gallegly, Blumenauer, and Bartlett introduced H.R. 137.
On April 29, 2005 the Senate approved S. 382 by a unanimous voice vote.
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