The Senate Goes to the Dogs: Two Important Bills Passed!

Wednesday, December 5, 2012 - 10:15am
German Shephard

Guest blog by Andrew Binovi, ASPCA Federal Legislative Manager

With all the political gridlock in Washington D.C., it seems that Congress has nearly ground to a complete halt. So it was very exciting late yesterday when the U.S. Senate considered two important measures to help animals in need!

First, the Senate took up the cause of canine heroes who have served in our military and passed a provision that streamlines the adoption process for retired military dogs and authorizes the Department of Defense to provide veterinary care in the animals’ retirement without any cost to American taxpayers. Military dogs perform dangerous, critical tasks, and it is our duty to honor these dogs and ensure they are cared for after their service is complete. The House passed similar language in their version of the military bill earlier this year.

Then, just moments later, the Senate passed the Animal Fighting Spectator Prohibition Act by a unanimous voice vote. This bill, introduced by Sens. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and Mark Kirk (R-IL), along with Sens. Maria Cantwell (D-WA) and Scott Brown (R-MA), will give law enforcement additional tools to crack down on animal fighting. The legislation will make it a federal offense to attend an organized animal fight and will impose additional penalties for taking minors to animal fights.

Take Action!
We are encouraged that in the twilight hours of this Congress, animals in need have not been forgotten by federal lawmakers. Our team has been working around the clock with members of Congress to ensure passage of both bills, but we still need your help. Please call your representative and ask him or her to support the Animal Fighting Spectator Prohibition Act in the House. Animals victimized in this grisly blood sport are in desperate need—and they are counting on us to get the job done!

Tags: 
Advocacy
Animal Cruelty
Dog Fighting
Take Action

Comments

Wed, 12/05/2012 - 10:43 — Teresa Stogsdill (Visitor)
that's good news

Wed, 12/05/2012 - 10:48 — sandy (Visitor)
Please stop animal fighting. It is a disgrace. Shame on people who do this.

Wed, 12/05/2012 - 10:50 — Rada Milicevic (Visitor)
Thank you for passing these two new laws, please keep working and passing more laws that are tools law enforcement and we the people to fight against animal abuse. And thank you for remembering about the military dogs that have served you and the people of this wonderful country.

Wed, 12/05/2012 - 18:16 — Cynthia Moore (Visitor)
This is wonderful. I wish it had passed a long time ago.

Wed, 12/05/2012 - 10:58 — Chris O (Visitor)
To whom it may concern: I visited the Advocacy Center > Elected Officials-New York (10462) > Write Your Elected Officials The officials listed were not updated as of the last election. For example Naomi Rivera is no longer the Assembly rep for my area.

Wed, 12/05/2012 - 11:12 — Lin Chambers (Visitor)
I'm calling my Congressional Rep right now and asking him/her to support the passages of these two important laws. You can too!! Just call them - just do it!!!

Wed, 12/05/2012 - 11:17 — Vanessa (Visitor)
Thank god that the government is taking action to take care of our animals!!!! :D

Wed, 12/05/2012 - 11:19 — Kari Presley (Visitor)
2 HUGE WINS!! This in incredible news! Finally stiffer penalties for dog fighting...for all parties involved! I am soooo happy!

Wed, 12/05/2012 - 11:25 — Hildegard Martine (Visitor)
PLEASE PUT THE WOLFS BACK ONTO THE ENDANGERED LIST BECAUSE THEY ARE GETTING MURDERED ON A DAILY BASIS, SOMETHING GOVERNORS WILL NOT ADMIT OTHERWISE THEY WOULD HAVE STOPPED THE KILLING A LONG TIME AGO. PLEASE HELP THEM, WE ARE THE VOICE FOR THEM. ALSO THE DOG FIGHTS IS SOMETHING SO TERRIBLE CRUEL, WHICH HAVE TO BE FORBIDDEN. THEN WE HAVE THE PUPPY MILLS, THOSE DOGS IN THERE SUFFER TERRIBLE, THEY USE THEM ONLY AS BREEDING MACHINES, NOTHING ELSE, THOSE POOR THINGS LOOK TERRIBLE NEGLECTED. WE NEED A MORE STRICTER LAW FOR ANIMAL CRUELTY. IN FLORIDA THEY FOUND A PLACE WHERE THERE ARE INHUMAN TORTURING WITH THE ANIMALS. THOSE PEOPLE HAVE TO GO TO JAIL FOR A LONG TIME, BECAUSE THEY ARE DANGEROUS EVEN FOR OUR SOCIETY. tHANK YOU FOR READING MY LETTER. BUT I AM SHARING ON A DAILY BASIS THE MOST TERRIBLE CLUELEST PHOTOS WHAT HUMANS ARE DOING TO OUR ANIMALS, ESPECIALLY ALSO OUR WOLFS WHO ARE BEING TRAPPED UNDER MOST GRUESOME CIRCUMSTANCES, THOSE PEOPLE FEEL NOTHING FOR THE POOR ANIMAL. Hildegard Martine

Wed, 12/05/2012 - 11:58 — Sarah (Visitor)
Wolf populations are needing to be controlled. Wolves are having a terrible affect on the natural ecosystem in certain areas. Since wolves produce at a higher rate than large game animals like elk and moose they are destroying populations. You can go to websites like biggameforever.org and see the results of overpopulation of wolves. Wolves are not domestic in any sense of the word they are predators and a vital part don't get me wrong. To help with conservation they are needing to be controlled just like whitetail deer populations have to be controlled in certain areas as well. You may have a special heart for the wolf which is great! But you also have to look at the entire picture of conservation and management

Wed, 12/05/2012 - 13:30 — Sally Cadonau (Visitor)
I agree with you animal cruelty! The wolf does need to be protected as they are being murdered not to keep the population in check, but by people who kill just for the thrill of killing an innocent, defenseless, living being.

Tue, 03/26/2013 - 14:30 — nobody (Visitor)
YES YOU SHOULD PUT THE WOLFS BACK

Wed, 12/05/2012 - 11:33 — Aaron (Visitor)
It's a dog. We don't need to honor it. How about we start "honoring" our fighting men and women by not sending them to fight pointless wars?

Wed, 12/05/2012 - 12:24 — Kathy Rountree (Visitor)
Dear Aaron, "It's a dog."...really? This comment shows that you have absolutely no understanding and compassion for our four-legged friends. They are loyal, loving creatures that serve us well. These animals have been put into extreme danger, not because they asked to be put there, but because we have put them there. They deserve (as do ALL dogs) our love and care. I agree that we should honor our fighting men and women. However, honoring these dogs does not, in any way, detract from honoring the soldiers. Instead, it enhances it...especially for those soldiers who have benefited from their service. Thankfully, we have a lot of caring people and organizations that work to ensure the well-being of these animals.

Wed, 12/05/2012 - 17:48 — Yuki (Visitor)
These dogs are saving lives of the "fighting men" you want to honor. They not only find explosives and dangerous weapons but also provide huge mental supports for their human partners and troops there at the front line. They even suffer from PTSD just like the soldiers they serve with! Don't you think they deserve to be cared for after they retired from the service? Please know the fact before you call them "just a dog" and show some respect for the job these dogs do for us.

Fri, 12/28/2012 - 02:05 — DIane (Visitor)
These beautiful dogs have saved the lives of many GI's and civilians over the years and deserve the respect and protection of the nation. The notion that military dogs are "less than" deserving of dignity and respect is simply archaic and cruel. All military working dogs need to be returned home after completing their service and allowed adoption to a family willing and able to provide them with the care and love they deserve!

Thu, 02/28/2013 - 02:29 — werner ansorge (Visitor)
your stupid

Wed, 12/05/2012 - 11:50 — Sarah (Visitor)
Now if we can only get the BSL to stop!! If they are willing to pass bills regarding not attending fights lets go for stopping profiling against specific breeds. Singling out dog breeds that are and aren't allowed in certain areas needs to stop!

Wed, 12/05/2012 - 11:54 — Tim Rust (Visitor)
Yeah, this is great. I love animals and whatnot, but there are way more important things going on in this country that need to be fixed. School reform. Immigration laws etc. This is what we waste our time on? This country IS going to the dogs if this is how we prioritize.

Wed, 12/05/2012 - 12:12 — Nancy Allard (Visitor)
The way a society treats its' animals is indicative of how the humans are treated. Human hunger, cruelty to one another and general malaise with regard to how we treat each other begins with animals. I do agree there are important issues that need attention, but the longer poor treatment of animals goes on, the more callous our society becomes to our fellow humans. It starts somewhere, and we are who these poor, voiceless animals rely on. This is not a waste of time. I hope you aren't a pet owner. All that love and tenderness eventually expands to the human condition as well. These laws don't cost additional monies, and are humanitarian efforts, and penalize unnecessary cruelty. Relax, be happy for the animals and ask yourself what sort of community involvement YOU have in the issues you have cited. If none, then shame on you for chastising people who care for animals.

Fri, 12/07/2012 - 17:31 — Hello Pibble (Visitor)
Here's an idea then... why don't you go find an organization dedicated to dealing with those problems and volunteer? Most of us are here because we chose to use our extra time / money dealing with animal issues. There are enough good non-profits and volunteer opportunities to go around. Furthermore, when you find said organization with whom you agree we all promise not to come and throw up random comments about about how we don't agree. Deal?

Sat, 12/08/2012 - 13:05 — Deborah Christensen (Visitor)
Your comment is the musing of a small mind with too narrow a focus. Reasonable people would not dispute the fact that there are many important issues facing our country, and the world, but the truly smart person knows that you fix the things within your control, and work toward goals and aspirations. Showing compassion for animals, especially dogs who are so loyal and selfless, is the hallmark of a caring soul. This can naturally extend to one's fellow man, and that in turn can motivate one to work toward the solutions to the problems you sited in your response. Gandhi vocalized it best when he said, "The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated."

Wed, 12/05/2012 - 12:15 — nancy (Visitor)
Thank You, there is alot of people working very hard 24-7 for the animals in need of our protection. This is a great day in America the Home of the Free!!! YES!!! Very Happy.

Wed, 12/05/2012 - 13:07 — Rosana Chin-Joseph (Visitor)
Music to my Ears... keep up the Good Work <3

Wed, 12/05/2012 - 13:08 — Sharon (Visitor)
These are 2 steps in the right direction. However, it would have been equally nice if Senate Republicans weren't so afraid of the right wing crazies and challenges from the tea party that they'd ratified the treaty yesterday as well. I can't imagine how they managed to walk past Bob Dole and cast that vote, making this country look like a pathetic shell of itself, since the U.N. treaty is based on OUR law, and only asks the rest of the world to come up to OUR standards, doing nothing to change our own. Good thing the tea party isn't totally against dogs...

Wed, 12/05/2012 - 13:18 — Pamela McCutcheon (Visitor)
I am truly impressed and hope the fight continues to convince ALL of congress, EVERYwhere to pass more and more bills for animal rights.....military or not, NO MORE dog fighting.....PLUS , not only just a slap on the wrist of animal abuse crime..ALL should be labeled as ANIMAL TORTURE and pose the utmost of fines/jail times!! Simple as that..........I PRAY :)

Wed, 12/05/2012 - 13:31 — Anna (Visitor)
I am so happy this is going into effect! These dogs deserve good homes and to be taken care of but having family in the military who don't get health care after they retire when they do so much like these dogs it's bitter sweet. I hope this is a step towards giving our men and woman in uniform the health care they deserve! Everyone needs to be taken care of if they fight for our country two legged, or four legged! To everyone posting about this isn't a priority it may not be in your book but you know what you should do? Write your Congress Person and ask what is being done about other key issues. Don't complain be proactive! This got changed because people fought for it they didn't sit behind a screen and complain.

Wed, 12/05/2012 - 13:50 — Christine (Visitor)
Good news for our fellow creatures! Thank you lawmakers for doing something right! We can all be proud.

Wed, 12/05/2012 - 16:46 — aaron (Visitor)
i agree that this is a stepp in the right direction but lets not forget this stupid BSL which is used against every american due to the stupidity of a few. if you ever need to get a morgage and or insurance on your house and you have a dog that is on the bsl list you wont be able to even if your dog is insured and a trained service dog and has the k9 "good citizenship award". this thing called the bsl needs to be done away with because it is a form of discrimination

Wed, 12/05/2012 - 17:59 — Kathryn Baker (Visitor)
I am so glad to hear these bills were passed by the Senate. I hope they will do more in the future for the horse slaughter issues.

Wed, 12/05/2012 - 18:25 — kate mccann (Visitor)
Thank you to Maria Cantwell & all the members of the Senate & Congress so much for suporting & passing the two bills concerning Military canines & Dogfighting. I hope they continue following these bills & that they will also bring into law a bill that makes discrimination of dog breeds (BSL) illegal.. And i ash that these same humane leaders seriously look into the legalities of Horse Slaughter....

Wed, 12/05/2012 - 19:09 — veterinary online (Visitor)
nice

Wed, 12/05/2012 - 20:13 — Glynda Cone (Visitor)
We are headed in the right direction, I couldn't be happier that the military service dogs are getting protection they deserve and that stiff laws on dog fighting are to be in place. I hope all animals can get protection from any form of cruelty. We my need population control but you can't tell me it can't be done humanely. Some people enjoy cruelty and they are the ones that are dangerous to all living creatures, that's enclosing humans.

Thu, 12/06/2012 - 11:55 — Candace Pankanin (Visitor)
The passing of these two laws is wonderful news. A lot of people have been working for the laws to protect animal rights for a very long time. I am relieved that two of those laws finally got into the hands and hearts of those who could make it a reality. Good job and Thank You. Lets not stop here. Keep the good news coming

Thu, 12/06/2012 - 17:09 — Kathleen (Visitor)
Kudos to ASPCA and, for once, Congress for this action. Take the next step and contact your congressmen to urge them push it through. My gentle, loving, rescued boxer-pit mix and I thank you all!

Fri, 12/07/2012 - 16:47 — Janel Draganjac (Visitor)
I have a lot to say,but, those people who get there kicks torturing animals should have the same thing done to them so they can see how it feels as THEIR punishment.

Sun, 12/09/2012 - 13:44 — Karen (Visitor)
Awesome, glad to hear that this law passed. people should get the death penalty for fighting animals, that's just plain cruel! I love animals especially dogs!

Mon, 12/10/2012 - 13:31 — Sandy (Visitor)
Does the passage of the bill mean that military working dogs are no longer classified as "military equipment" and will not be left where they are when the troops leave?

Mon, 12/10/2012 - 17:47 — Nick McLain (Visitor)
Thank you so much, ASPCA, for the work you've done in lobbying to get these two bills passed. I've shared this link on my Facebook page and will try to continue to let people know about the good work you guys are doing. Thanks again.

Tue, 12/11/2012 - 17:30 — Amanda Randall (Visitor)
I am so happy and moved to tears that theses laws past . It gives me hope that protection grows for animals every day ;0)

Thu, 12/13/2012 - 17:15 — Wilda Connor (Visitor)
Please keep us appraised of who the politicians are who are animal friendly. These are the ones who I want to vote for! Also, inform us of those who are unfriendly so we don't make the mistake of a voting for them.

Thu, 12/13/2012 - 17:15 — Wilda Connor (Visitor)
Please keep us appraised of who the politicians are who are animal friendly. These are the ones who I want to vote for! Also, inform us of those who are unfriendly so we don't make the mistake of a voting for them.

Thu, 12/13/2012 - 22:00 — Valarie White (Visitor)
I hope in the bill that was passed invovling MWD (military working dogs) helps bring them home instead of them being considered surplus equiptment. I would love to adopt one of these wonderful hero dogs. But the battle that has to be fought to get them back home is wrong. They are soldiers not surplus equiptment.

Tue, 12/25/2012 - 18:00 — Rachelle Rissell (Visitor)
Good news! It is heartening to see so many people who care as I do. We need to see better legislation to protect our fellow living creatures, and the voiceless need it all the more. For the naysayers, animal abuse is proven to be directly related to violence and criminal behavior in humans, it is foolish to dismiss it. Also, those of us who are active are active in more than one arena, depending on our abilities, talents and passions. My charities and causes are the abuse and neglect of children and animals. If you have no regard for animals or believe other things are more important, why are you on the SPCA site and not volunteering in what you believe in? Or, stay on and educate yourself to care and become a better person. I respect the work of all who are volunteering and donating for a better world, in whatever way they are drawn to. For my fellow animal lovers, please, take a moment to think of one more thing - Along with our pets, there are millions of other animals being tortured and abused. To those who eat meat (I do), consider carefully where you are getting it from. I have completely changed where I shop and purchase my meat and dairy from. The mass stock animal market is doing horrendous things, and I am not even talking about the slaughterhouse, that is where many of these animals receive their "mercy". The practices by the large industrial "farms" are horrendous and inexcusable. I buy from small, local meat and dairy sources that I can personally visit or research, and know these animals have the proper food, medical care, treatment and space to live in. They may not be pets, but they are living beings, and deserve to be treated with decency and respect as such. Please educate yourself, if you do, you will not want to be part of this. I may not be able to stop it, but these people will NOT get money from me. The practices being accepted nationwide should be criminal, and I hope for the day when they are. To all of you, it is encouraging to see so many who care. However you do it, keep up whatever you do to help the voiceless neglected and abused that share your community, and I may not know you but I appreciate you.

Fri, 01/25/2013 - 00:15 — CHRIS WOOTEN (Visitor)
Thank you now lets pass laws that they ban gas chambers in all shelters too.

Fri, 02/08/2013 - 11:32 — Katie LaRoche (Visitor)
This is excellent news. I gave a presentation on this topic for a political science class. Military dogs have a very tough and sad history, and I am THRILLED that the US is willing to give more kindness to canine heroes. THANK YOU! **Yes- please stop the wolf hunt, hunting wolves is barbaric-as a response to the person who wrote in all caps.

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