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Current Bills | Current Issues
For information on Past Legislation, see our Information Library.
The federal legislation report is designed to keep you current on bills before the U.S. Congress. Your input will help get your senators and representatives to focus on animal issues. It is important that you call or write to let them know your views.
For more specific information on any of the bills, go to www.hslf.org or call 202-676-2314.
When communicating with your legislators give the name of the bill or issue.
Address Senators' letters to:
The Honorable ____________
U.S. Senate
Washington, DC 20510
Address Representatives' letters to:
The Honorable_____________
U.S. House of Representatives
Washington, DC 20510
Call the congressional switchboard at 202-224-3121 to reach your legislators. To find out who your legislators are and how to reach them directly call 202-676-2314.
Information provided by Humane Society Legislative Fund
ANIMALS IN RESEARCH
AWA Amendments
To ban the use of live animals in sales demos and increase fines for Animal Welfare Act violations.
Pet Safety And Protection Act
To prohibit research facilities from purchasing dogs and cats from random source Class B animal dealers.
COMPANION ANIMALS
American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act
To prohibit the slaughter of horses for human consumption and the trade and transport of horseflesh and live horses for human consumption.
Dog and Cat Fur Prohibition Enforcement Act
To ban the sale of fur from raccoon dogs and require correct labeling of all fur products.
Pet Trusts
To allow the creation of charitable pet trusts under the federal tax code.
CRUELTY ISSUES
Animal Fighting Prohibition Enforcement Act
To upgrade current penalties for violations of the federal animal fighting law and to prohibit interstate and foreign commerce in cockfighting weapons.
FARM ANIMALS
Downed Animal and Food Safety Protection Act
To end the use of non-ambulatory livestock in human food and require that "downed" animals be
humanely euthanized when presented at slaughter facilities.
Farm Animal Stewardship Purchasing Act
To require that supplies of farm animal products to federal programs meet basic animal welfare standards.
Preservation of Antibiotics for Medical Treatment Act
To phase out routine non-therapeutic use of antibiotics in farm animals, this supports overcrowded, unsanitary factory farming conditions.
WILDLIFE
Canadian Seals
To urge Canada to end it commercial seal hunt.
Wild Horses and Burros
To restore the prohibition on the commercial sale and slaughter of wild free-roaming horses and burros.
The Peoria Humane Society supports all of these bills.
President George Bush Signs the Animal Fighting Prohibition Act
President Bush signed this bill into law in May of 2007. The law makes it a felony, instead of a misdemeanor, to move animals across state lines or national borders for the purpose of fighting. Penalties include up to three years in jail and/or fines of up to $250,000.
Ways to Prevent Dognapping
Dognapping can occur anywhere and any breed of dog is vulnerable. Pets are stolen for a variety of reasons, including illegal dog fighting activities, irresponsible breeding, animal research, burglary scams, or simply for profit. Pet owners should be aware of where their dogs are at all times. Never leave your dog in a car while unattended, never tie your dog up to a post while running into a store, always respond to your dog when it is outside and starts barking, and check frequently on a dog left outside in a fenced yard. Dogs that are left outdoors when the homeowners are not home are very vulnerable to being stolen. Dognappers are a real threat to all dogs in every community.
Large Black Dogs Hard to Place
New information has come out about the plight of big black dogs languishing in shelters. These ordinary looking dogs are often overlooked by potential adopters in favor of lighter colored dogs. Often people are apprehensive about a black dog's disposition because of the color alone. There are now many adoption groups in the United States working with local shelters to place large black dogs. These dogs often have sweet dispositions and are deserving of a home. For more information about the plight of black dogs, you can visit the website: www.blackpearldogs.com.
Dog Fighting in Peoria
Animal lovers around the country remain stunned by the news of NFL Atlanta Falcon Michael Vick’s alleged dog fighting activities. As the stories of tortured dogs and gruesome fights surface, society at large begins to recognize the cruelties that accompany this crime.
Not all dog fighting occurs at the level of organization that Vick apparently conducted. In Peoria, animal control officers respond to calls about dog fights regularly. Unfortunately, the authorities rarely arrive in time to stop the fight or arrest the individuals. Because these fights occur in alleys, back yards, and garages, the dog owners can easily grab their dogs and run for cover. Animal control officers have discovered vacant houses used to hold fights, train dogs, and hide stolen pets. Sometimes, the rooms are turned into ‘pits’ where the fights take place. Carcasses of the losers or stolen pets often remain in these houses when the perpetrators move on. Again, officials find it near impossible to locate and punish those who commit these crimes.
Frequently, officers find and rescue the cast offs from these barbaric events. Dogs who have fought and lost are discarded like garbage, many times still suffering from their multiple wounds, broken bones, and torn flesh. Sometimes the dogs are left in dumpsters, in alleys, and vacant houses still alive. And, the winners don’t fare much better. Although they may have won the fight, they, too, receive multiple, serious injuries that either go untreated or are treated by their owners. Fighters are reluctant to take the dogs to the veterinarian for fear they may be reported. Consequently, they obtain medical supplies illegally and will suture wounds or splint broken bones themselves. Obviously, the dogs suffer from this lack of professional care.
PAWS receives nearly 3,500 dogs each year and almost 1,000 of those are pit bull or pit bull mix dogs – the breed favored by those who fight dogs. Of those 1,000 pit bull type dogs, about 50% show physical and behavioral signs of dog fighting. While many of these dogs show friendliness to humans, they behave aggressively with other animals. The females often display evidence of multiple breeding and litters. The males, who are more commonly fought, have old scars around their faces, ears, neck, chest, and front legs. Many have torn ears. While all dogs are assessed for temperament and behavior regardless of breed, those pit bulls who show signs of fighting are never placed for adoption and must be euthanized.
Dog fighting is a crime which carries a Class 4 felony penalty in Illinois. Dog fighting is brutal, cruel, and torturous. And, dog fighting still exists – even in our community. Ideally, the attention paid to Michael Vick and his crimes – and the penalty he will hopefully pay – may bring light to these horrifying events and show that this practice is not a sport but a serious crime affecting thousands of innocent animals each year. Maybe, Michael Vick’s plight will cause even one person to stop promoting, attending, or participating in dog fights. Maybe, some dogs won’t have to suffer as these did.
PAWS encourages anyone with knowledge of a dog fight or other crime to call 911 and the animal shelter at (309) 494-8911.
Last updated: 9/13/2007.
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