Kerry, Boxer Introduce Anti-Dogfighting Bill
According to a press release issued by the American Humane Association, the bill proposes amendments to the Animal Welfare Act which would increase the government's ability to prosecute and penalize anyone involved in dogfighting, including spectators.
Among others, the changes include specifying spectators at dogfighting events as having committed a federal offense, criminalizing the purchase and sale of dogs trained for fighting, and lengthening the maximum prison sentence for dogfighting involvement from three to five years.
The press release indicates that the American Humane Association's director of public policy praised the bill's introduction, calling dogfighting a "barbaric blood sport." She went on to say that she feels the bill's legal changes will make it possible to "effectively eliminate" the sport of dogfighting in the United States. The President and CEO of the association also praised the bill and both senators who introduced it. He was quoted as saying that those who commit cruelty to animals are often also violent toward other people.
The issue of dogfighting has been heavily discussed on internet message boards, radio talk shows, and elsewhere in recent days because of allegations that an Atlanta Falcons quarterback was involved in dogfighting.
According to their website, the American Humane Association works to prevent neglect, exploitation, and cruelty/abuse of children and animals. Their organization was founded in 1877 and promotes the belief that there is a "link" between abuse of animals and other violence.
John Kerry, as indicated by the biography on his website, was born in 1943 shortly before his parents began living in Massachusetts. He later graduated from Yale University, served in the military during the Vietnam War, and became a prosecutor. He was elected governor in 1982 and to the senate in 1984.
The biography on Barbara Boxer's website states that she has been married for forty-five years and has two children. She was elected to the House of Representatives in 1983, became a senator in 1993, and was re-elected for a 3rd term in 2004. She is also part of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Commerce Committee, and Democratic Policy Committee on Oversight and Investigations.
Sources:
1. American Humane Association, http://www.americanhumane.org/site/PageServer?pagename=nr_news_releases_07kerrybill
http://www.americanhumane.org/site/PageServer?pagename=wh_where_stand
2. Senator John Kerry,
http://kerry.senate.gov/about/biography.cfm
3. Senator Barbara Boxer,
http://boxer.senate.gov/about/bio/
4. Voice of America, http://www.voanews.com/english/2007-07-26-voa67.cfm
Published by Z. Perry
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7 Comments
Post a CommentThere is no corelation between dog fighting and criminal activities. The animal rights is not about protecting animals but controlling people better. Applying human values to dogs is insane. Why do we not stop killing animals for food? What is the standard and the limit? Banning fighting is the idea of consumers and producers. Anti dog fighters are entertaining themselves about hobby related issues. What do they not care their own kind as much as animals? Because they are disconnected from their own kinds. Life is about aggression and love. You cannot change the process of dichotomy. You can however supress instincts.
Such a circular logic of yours "people who engage in animal cruelty HAVE NO CONSCIENCE. People with no conscience are dangerous..." You people in the name of security are ready to lock yourselves up in your modern metal decay. You call it humane consciousness. Humane is only for humans. You cannot be humane to a cat. A cat cannot be humane to a mouse. You are enacting
PS Yes most states dog fighting is a felony, but is a misdemeanor in some states (maximum), legal to watch in others, legal to keep dog fighting kennels in some states (just not participate-yeah right). EVEN WITH FELONY LAWS, it is mostly REDUCED to a misdemeanor, even dropped when accompanied with multiple crimes.
Both spectators and dog fighting participants have CHILDREN who watch these activities and become DESENSITIZED and enjoy the torture and screaming of pain of helpless creatures; people who engage in animal cruelty HAVE NO CONSCIENCE. People with no conscience are dangerous; that is how they offend against society (break laws). Animal cruelty is the breeding ground of VIOLENT criminals--FACT according to psychiatrists virtually all serial killers had their beginning with animal cruelty. FACT: Virtually ALL people engaged with dog fighting and spectating it have violent criminal histories.
FACT: DOG FIGHTING oftentimes funds street gangs, dopers, and illegal weapons.
IF you all complain about the rising violence in America, then complain about animal cruelty-one shall lead to the other. By a total ban in dog fighting, you are, in fact, fighting violent crimes against people.
Aren't the prisons crowded enough? With laws like these in place...it just means shorter sentences for murderers and rapists...the REAL menaces. These are dogs people! I'm not animal abuse or neglect is right...but humans take top priority on this earth. Let's worry about our own needs and safety before we start worrying about the poor little dogs.
Our country dumps too much money and effort into the "happiness" and well-being of animals...while our own citizens suffer. We're fighting a purposeless war that's draining the economy, there are no jobs, health care is a mess, crime is rampant, no one will ever be able to retire....and we're worried about dogs??? Fix our "people problems" FIRST. Politicians need to do their jobs and serve their people first and foremost...and put their emotions aside about the fuzzy little animals.
The language to the bill is also worrysome...seems like you could get up to 5 years just because you happen to own an APBT or another similar dog.
Doesn't every state already have laws against dog fighting? I'm all for raising the penalties, but provisions need to be made for better enforcement. Most law enforcement entities are so overwhelmed keeping up with normal case load that dog fighting reports often don't get investigated adequately. They need more resources to fight crime.
Hopefully, the current media frenzy caused by scum-bag Michael Vick will result in more people being aware of the problem and reporting it. Dog fight promoters and organizers should be punished with serious jail time. Don't let the media and ignorance convince you that the problem is the Pit Bull breed. The problem is the irresponsible owners and breeders.
For more info about the great American Pit bull, check out my latest article on my CP page.
Great report. Dog fighting is horrible!
Kudos to you for the report and kudos to the ones responsible for the banning of such hidious activities. A bunch of sickos out there