by Grace Van Vleck
“Reprinted with permission from The Animals’ Agenda, P.O. Box 25881,
Baltimore, MD 21224; (410) 675-4566; www.animalsagenda.org.”
Email: office@animalsagenda.org
As the 106th Congress drew to a close, many important
pieces of animal protection legislation had been enacted, but many others
will return (with new bill numbers) in January when the 107th Congress
convenes. These legislative victories for animals are due, in no small
part, to the continuous efforts of animal activists. Following is a brief
summary of what bills passed and what bills activists will need to
concentrate on next year. For more details, visit www.ddal.org, and thank
you for your action on behalf of the animals.
WHAT PASSED:
Chimpanzee Health Improvement, Maintenance and
Protection (CHIMP) Act
Creates a public/private retirement sanctuary system for chimpanzees
who have been used for experimentation.
"Crush" Video Bill (Public Law 106-152)
Bans the production for commercial profit of videos and other
materials that depict illegal acts of animal cruelty.
Dog and Cat Fur bill (part of larger Public Law
106-476)
Bans the importation of products, including fur-trimmed articles, made
with cat or dog fur.
Federal Law Enforcement Animal Protection Act (Public
Law 106-254)
Raises the penalties for anyone who "willfully harms" a federal police
dog or horse. If the offense results in the death of the animal, the
perpetrator could be imprisoned for up to ten years.
Great Ape Conservation Act (Public Law 106-411)
Establishes a fund to preserve great apes and the habitats which they
depend.
ICCVAM Authorization Act
Permanently establishes the Interagency Coordinating Committee for the
Validation of Alternative Methods, which reviews non-animal tests and
recommends them to appropriate government agencies.
Military Dog Adoption bill (Public Law 106-446)
Facilitates adoption of former military working dogs by their handlers
and partners.
Safe Air Travel for Animal Act (part of larger Public
Law 106-181)
Requires airlines to provide the Department of Transportation with
monthly reports describing any "loss, injury or death" of animals in their
care.
Shark Finning Prohibition Act
Bans the practice of "finning" where the fins of a caught shark are
cut off and the dying animal is then discarded at sea.
WHAT DIDN'T [PASS] (as of press time):
Bear Protection Act
Prohibits the import, export, sale or trade of bear parts (especially
the gall bladder and bile) or products claiming to contain bear parts.
Captive Elephant Accident Prevention Act
Bans the use of elephants in traveling circuses.
Captive Exotic Animal Protection Act
Prohibits the transport of exotic animals for the purpose of a "canned
hunt."
Downed Animal Protection Act
Prevents stockyards from marketing animals who are unable to walk on
their own, unless the animal has been humanely euthanized.
Federal Cockfighting Amendment
Closes a loophole that allows fighting birds bred in a state in which
cockfighting is illegal to be transferred to one of the three remaining
"cockfighting states".
Pet Safety and Protection Act
Prohibits Class B (random-source) animal dealers from supplying dogs
and cats to medical research facilities.
Steel-Jaw Leghold Trap Ban
Bans the use of conventional leghold traps and the furs obtained from
these traps.
Violence Link Resolution
Recognizes the link between violence to animals and violence to
humans.
Wildlife Services Amendment
Reduces funding for lethal predator control for the purpose of
livestock protection.
Grace Van Vleck is Legislative Assistant for the Doris Day
Animal League.
Go on to HSUS
Legislative Update
Return to 31 December 2000 Issue
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