U.S. House Renews Efforts to Combat Animal Fighting

Thursday, January 24, 2013 - 11:00am
Dog in cage

Great news, animal advocates! Yesterday U.S. Reps. Tom Marino (R-PA), Jim McGovern (D-MA), John Campbell (R-CA) and Jim Moran (D-VA) reintroduced the Animal Fighting Spectator Prohibition Act, an ASPCA-supported bill to strengthen our federal laws against animal fighting.

While it’s already a federal crime to actively participate in an animal fight, it’s the spectators who drive the enterprise and make it profitable. This bill would make it a federal offense to attend an organized animal fight and impose additional penalties for bringing a child to a fight.

The Senate passed this bill in the previous Congress, but even with over half the House in support, Congress was unable to pass a final bill. Reintroducing this bill in the early days of the new Congress gives us an opportunity to build on the momentum from the last Congress and help finally close the federal loophole for animal fighting spectators.

Ask your own House representative to support this important humane legislation! Visit the ASPCA Advocacy Center right now to quickly email your U.S. rep in Washington and urge him or her to cosponsor the Animal Fighting Spectator Prohibition Act.

Tags: 
Advocacy
Animal Cruelty
Dog Fighting
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Comments

Thu, 01/24/2013 - 12:23 — Kaleigh Mac (Visitor)
I'm against any kind of cruelty to any animal. Stop dog fighting and make it a bigger offense. It needs to stop!!

Thu, 01/24/2013 - 12:25 — Maureen Manzene (Visitor)
Save these animals!

Thu, 01/24/2013 - 12:28 — Alanna A (Visitor)
Animals are not meant to fight or be used as bait, they need a loving home and wonderful owners and they are set. Please stop this cruelty

Thu, 01/24/2013 - 12:28 — Alex (Visitor)
Who's the REAL animal here.... help us to save them!

Thu, 01/24/2013 - 12:30 — sarah (Visitor)
It is really sad to imagine anyone getting enjoyment from watching these animals fight and get hurt. It's just so sad and shows that our society is sick for wanting to witness something so horrific. These people should be locked up for 20 years to learn there lesson. And maybe while in jail we should require them to fight with whoever we lock them in a cell with while other inmates stand around cheering.

Thu, 01/24/2013 - 12:30 — Claudia Christiansen (Visitor)
Its violence. Horrific bloody violence. Just stop it.

Thu, 01/24/2013 - 12:32 — Tiffany Buchs (Visitor)
This needs to stop & consequences should be severe!

Thu, 01/24/2013 - 12:39 — Stephanie Matlock (Visitor)
There is so much animal abuse in the world! It has to stop and stop right now!

Thu, 01/24/2013 - 12:39 — Debbie Figueroa (Visitor)
Please stop this horrific violent behavior! There have to be very strong consequences or these animals will never stop!! These poor sweet babies can't protect themselves!!

Thu, 01/24/2013 - 12:42 — Amy Wilson (Visitor)
Please stop the abuse!

Thu, 01/24/2013 - 12:44 — Michele (Visitor)
I don't understand why people enjoy this. I also can't believe this is even an issue. It should already be outlawed. Shame on us as for this act of cruelty. Just stop.

Thu, 01/24/2013 - 12:44 — Shirley Paulsen (Visitor)
Please pass this bill!

Thu, 01/24/2013 - 12:45 — JODY BURCH RIALS (Visitor)
THIS DOG FIGHTING IS A DISGRACE! IT NEEDS TO BE STOPPED....DOGS WERE PUT HERE BY GOD FOR US TO LOVE....NOT TO FIGHT THEM UNTIL ONE DIES TO MAKE MONEY. PLEASE TAKE ACTION TO STOP ANIMAL FIGHTING.<3

Thu, 01/24/2013 - 12:52 — Amanda (Visitor)
Animals of any kind at all should not be used for human amusement. We are on this planet to be the stewards of all living things, to care for them, love them, and allow them to live happy safe lives, just as we wish for ourselves. Just because they don't verbally speak, and can't make their own choices in this life doesn't mean they have no thoughts or feelings. We need to stop these horrible fights. Making money off another living things pain is a terrible life to lead.

Thu, 01/24/2013 - 12:53 — Eileen Vega (Visitor)
Please we need to stop the dog fighting, abuse, neglect and all shelters that kill must be shut down.... PLEASE ENOUGH

Thu, 01/24/2013 - 12:53 — Traci Botsford (Visitor)
People who participate in this horribly cruel activity are the biggest cowards on Earth.

Thu, 01/24/2013 - 12:53 — James Burgoyne (Visitor)
This absolutely should'nt be an issue! It should be automatically against the law with heavey concequences!!! Like the 100,000 dollar fines and then again if it happens again the death Penalty to any Human hurting/Killing a Domestic Animal! They wouldn't want to run into me! I'll treat them like Terrorist's! That's for sure!!!

Thu, 01/24/2013 - 12:54 — jj (Visitor)
please do the right thing

Thu, 01/24/2013 - 12:57 — Mary N. Williams (Visitor)
Please make it a crime to be associated in any way with these atrocities. How can we call ourselves human and still not do everything in our power to end this cruelty?

Thu, 01/24/2013 - 13:02 — Elaine Wilkins (Visitor)
Dispicable cruel practice, run an watched by dispicable , cruel people!

Thu, 01/24/2013 - 13:02 — Robyn Fullerton (Visitor)
There is no reason not to pass the bill! There is no reason to abuse an animal! Animals are used to carry police men and to find lost victims and escaped convicts so why are we abusing the ones we ask for help??

Thu, 01/24/2013 - 13:03 — Ali Makkoe (Visitor)
Please do not hesitate to pass the bill. Fights involving animals is cruel and inhumane. Please speak for those who can not for themselves ...

Thu, 01/24/2013 - 13:04 — Debbie (Visitor)
Pass this bill!!

Thu, 01/24/2013 - 13:05 — Susan Mallach (Visitor)
No more animals for someone else's gain!!

Thu, 01/24/2013 - 13:06 — NR (Visitor)
Animal fighting should never be allowed, & those who participate in any way should be prosecuted!

Thu, 01/24/2013 - 13:07 — Dianna Aaron (Visitor)
Please pass this bill!

Thu, 01/24/2013 - 13:10 — Sara (Visitor)
It is out responsibilities as humans with souls to be the voice for these dogs!

Thu, 01/24/2013 - 13:15 — Sandra Delozier (Visitor)
Please pass the bill!

Thu, 01/24/2013 - 13:20 — Andrea Sturm (Visitor)
Just please already stop this insanity! STOP the abuse!

Thu, 01/24/2013 - 13:23 — Gail yarger (Visitor)
Disgusting and inhumane

Thu, 01/24/2013 - 13:23 — Paula Santapaul... (Visitor)
Please stop this animal abuse now!

Thu, 01/24/2013 - 13:29 — Nancy Johnsen (Visitor)
The spectators are just as guilty as the "owners" of these poor dogs!!!!

Thu, 01/24/2013 - 13:42 — Heather (Visitor)
There should be no ifs, ands, or buts about this. Put a stop to animal cruelty. Animals are part of our family, it should be considered the same as child abuse or neglect. There is something psychologically wrong with those who fight, abuse and neglect animals. Please put a stop to this!

Thu, 01/24/2013 - 13:42 — Alycia Stévenin (Visitor)
These people should be put behind bars.

Thu, 01/24/2013 - 13:48 — Tina (Visitor)
Cruelty only leads to more violence.

Thu, 01/24/2013 - 13:48 — Alida du Preez (Visitor)
Animals are God's creations and they deserve love and not abuse!!!!

Thu, 01/24/2013 - 13:58 — Heather Lindow (Visitor)
People that abuse animals should be subject to the same laws and consequences as those who abuse their fellow man. These animals are defenseless and cannot ask for help; they need someone to speak for them. Please help!

Thu, 01/24/2013 - 14:17 — Cindy Baldani (Visitor)
Help stop such a heart breaking issue. Why? Why in Gods name would anyone want to watch fighting like this, very sad ! What has happened to this world, to people?

Thu, 01/24/2013 - 14:18 — Lara Phillips (Visitor)
This is disgusting! How can anyone find animal abuse entertaining! It's sick!!!!

Thu, 01/24/2013 - 14:21 — Susan Dunsmuir (Visitor)
Please pass this legislation. We must do anything & everything to stop this horrid abuse.

Thu, 01/24/2013 - 14:25 — Marc (Visitor)
I feel what should happen is America should have a very strike law for people to have pets. I feel every dog owner that wants to have an animal that is not spayed or neutered show pay every year until they spat the animal. More thought should be put into laws for people who want to have a pet but abuse them, or fight them.

Thu, 01/24/2013 - 14:27 — Tania Perelberg (Visitor)
We don't own the world. Let the animals live ! Please stop this cruel insanity!!!

Thu, 01/24/2013 - 14:34 — Miss C larkin (Visitor)
Stop this barbaric practice

Thu, 01/24/2013 - 14:43 — Eve (Visitor)
If you use any Pets, for anything else but Love it is Abuse. We are here to Protect them. Shame on us.

Thu, 01/24/2013 - 14:52 — deniz akar (Visitor)
Anyone who takes pleasure from another living being's pain should stop calling themselves human...

Thu, 01/24/2013 - 14:56 — Abbey (Visitor)
People who can abuse & neglect animals are on the same level as people who can abuse & neglect children. It's not a stretch from one to the other. Anyone who mistreats any being who is dependent on them, weaker deserves JAIL!!

Thu, 01/24/2013 - 15:02 — Patricia Fitzpatrick (Visitor)
Please let's put an end to dog fighting (and fighting of any sort between animals) - that'll automatically put an end to spectators. People who watch this type of violence need to be punished sufficiently so they'll stop!

Thu, 01/24/2013 - 15:06 — Jerry Skora (Visitor)
The sicko's who perpetuate this and call it entertainment need to be removed from the face of this planet. I, for one, will be happy to oblige. There will not be the wasting of tax payer money on trials. They will just die and be disposed of in an inhumane fashion. The 'sword' will show no mercy.....

Thu, 01/24/2013 - 15:25 — Patricia Davis (Visitor)
Please put a stop to this!! Put them away as if they've hurt a child, because our pets should be treated like our child!! They show love, trust n unconditional love!!

Thu, 01/24/2013 - 15:28 — Sharmain Newaz (Visitor)
Animals have rights

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