Just last week the United States Senate passed a landmark
bill to increase penalties for the illegal and cruel practice of animal
fighting. Now, the bill is in the House of Representatives - and your
voice is critically needed to make sure it passes.
This bill, called the Animal Fighting Prohibition
Enforcement Act, will increase the penalties for cockfighting, dog
fighting and hog-dog fights, where dogs are pitted against hogs in small,
enclosed spaces, causing severe injuries and often death. A cruel
bloodsport, animal fighting involves breeding, mistreating and pumping
animals full of harmful drugs to increase their aggressiveness, then
forcing them to keep fighting even after they've suffered terrible
injuries.
Although dogfighting is illegal in all 50 states and
cockfighting remains legal only in Louisiana and New Mexico, prosecutors
are reluctant to spend time and resources on these awful cases when there
are only weak misdemeanor penalties. The Animal Fighting Prohibition
Enforcement Act would increase penalties to a felony level, which will
establish a more meaningful deterrent to animal fighting. With your help,
we have a chance to make it happen:
1. Take action and urge your representative to end animal
fighting by co-sponsoring the Animal Fighting Prohibition Enforcement Act
and doing everything possible to get it passed SOON. It will only take a
minute or so.
2. Spread the word. Urge at least 5 friends to contact
their representatives about this bill. We cannot win unless we have a
large, loud majority urging our legislators to do the right thin and help
end this cruelty. Click here
https://community.hsus.org/campaign/endanimalfighting/forward/6k8ide245j753e?source=GABAFY
to spread the word.
3. Learn more. If you want to find out more about these
barbaric bloodsports, simply click here
http://www.hsus.org/hsus_field/animal_fighting_the_final_round/ to learn about HSUS's campaign "Animal Fighting - the Final Round." There
you'll find more information on animal fighting activities in the U.S.,
underground video, and previous efforts to help end this despicable
practice.
Last year, an identical bill was close to being passed but
didn't get over the finish line. The result? Another year went by with
animal fighting going unchecked and gaining popularity while helpless
animals were killed for gambling and "entertainment" purposes. We can't
let that happen again. We must stop animal fighting. You can make a
difference right now by contacting your representative today and urging
him/her to co-sponsor and unequivocally support the Animal Fighting
Prohibition Enforcement Act.
Wayne Pacelle
President & CEO
The Humane Society of the United States
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Carolyn Mullin writes:
I just created this petition and would appreciate if you would sign and
cross-post wherever possible.
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/753639691
PETITION TARGET
First Name: Michael K.
Last Name: Lands
Title of Target(s) (e.g. CEO, Chairman): District Attorney
Email:
Organization: Gaston County District Attorney
Url of Target Organization:
http://www.spinnc.org/nccda/public/District%20Attorney/district_attorney%20Mike%20Lands.htm
Address 1: 325 N Marietta St
Address 2:
City: Gastonia
State/Province: NC
Zip/Postal Code: 28052
Country: us
Phone: (704) 852-3113
Fax: (704) 852-3292
A horribly mutilated pit-bull, named Gypsy, was found on April 11, 2005
dumped on a main highway (Wilkinson Blvd) and her wounds appear to be the
result of dog-fighting. Her injuries were so severe, her right-front leg
had to be amputated due to the extent of mutilation and infection.
According to reports, the flesh on her face was literally rotting off, and
when she first arrived at Tri-County Animal Rescue, her mouth was "nothing
but pus." Tri-County Animal Rescue stated that the dog was "a bloody mess"
when she was found on the roadside.
No one has been charged and no arrests have been made. A
report was filed with Cramerton Police Department, but no further action
has been taken. Other recent reports of dog-fighting have gone
un-investigated in Gaston County. We feel that this demonstrates a
frightening trend around a very serious crime. Dog-fighting is a public
safety issue as well as an animal cruelty issue, and entire communities
suffer from these criminal activities. It is simply not acceptable for
these acts of violence to go unpunished.
Pictures of Gypsy's injuries can be found here:
http://www.pet-abuse.com/database/case_photos.php?case_id=4402
These are very disturbing pictures as I'm sure that you can see for
yourself.
We realize that Stephanie Hamlin, Assistant District
Attorney for Gaston County has contacted Pet-Abuse.com and stated that the
members of the Gaston County District Attorney's office are very
interested in prosecuting the Gypsy case. If we have any additional leads
or suspects, we will call Animal Control at 704-922-8677 or the DA's
office 704.852-3113 .
We petition you, Honorable Michael Lands, that you
vigorously investigate and prosecute dog-fighting crimes in Gaston County.
We appreciate your and Stephanie Hamlin's work in this matter.
--
Regards,
Carolyn Mullin, Director
No More Homeless Animals
3844 W. Channel Islands Blvd. #PMB 185
Oxnard, California USA 93035-4001
http://www.nomorehomelessanimals.org
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/NoMoreHomelessAnimals
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