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Last year, Congress closed loopholes in the federal law on cockfighting and dogfighting, but a last-minute back-room deal by a small number of legislators stripped out the strong penalty provision that the full House and Senate had earlier approved. Now, S. 736 and H.R. 1532 would stiffen the penalties for those who engage in interstate activity, imports or exports associated with animal fighting. |
Below is a sample letter for you to use or adapt into your own words. Letters written in your own words are much more effective.
FEDERAL ANIMAL FIGHTING BILLS INTRODUCED IN CONGRESS:
Last year, Congress closed loopholes in the federal law on cockfighting
and dogfighting, but a last-minute back-room deal by a small number of
legislators stripped out the strong penalty provision that the full House
and Senate had earlier approved. Now, Senators John Ensign (R-NV), Wayne
Allard (R-CO), and Maria Cantwell (D-WA) have introduced S. 736, and Reps.
Roscoe Bartlett (R-MD) and Robert Andrews (D-NJ) have introduced H.R. 1532
to stiffen the penalties for those who engage in interstate activity,
imports or exports associated with animal fighting. Current law
authorizes only a misdemeanor penalty of less than 1 year jail time. S.
736/H.R. 1532 will make violations a felony with up to 2 years of jail
time. This will encourage stronger federal enforcement, since prosecutors
are more inclined to pursue cases involving felony crimes than
misdemeanors. The majority of states already treat animal fighting as a
felony offense, in recognition of the brutality involved. S. 736/H.R.
1532 will also ban interstate and foreign shipment of fighting instruments
– razor-sharp knives and gaffs – designed specifically to be used in
cockfights. Speaking of the misery of hundreds of thousands of animals
maimed or killed in fighting pits each year across the U.S., Sen. Ensign
said, “As a Senator and a veterinarian, I am committed to ensuring that
those who engage in such a barbaric practice are prosecuted and face stiff
penalties. Our civilized society must strongly condemn animal fighting.”
WHAT YOU CAN DO:
Urge your two U.S. Senators to cosponsor S. 736 and urge your U.S.
Representative to cosponsor H.R. 1532, bills to strengthen the penalty
against participants in illegal animal fighting rings. You can reach all
three of your legislators through the Capitol Switchboard at (202)
224-3121, and you can identify their names at www.Congress.org or by
calling The HSUS at 202-955-3666.Source: http://www.hsus.org/ace/441
CHICAGO - An animal-rights group claimed responsibility Friday for a pre-dawn fire that erupted in a food store that illegally sold leopard and tiger meat.
The fire Friday morning came less than a day after a man was convicted of illegally slaughtering tigers and leopards and selling the meat to Czimer's Market for $3 a pound.
FBI spokesman Ross Rice said a group called the Animal Liberation Front claimed responsibility for the fire, which authorities consider an act of domestic terrorism.
The fire was confined to a back meat-cutting room at the suburban Lockport store, which specializes in providing customers with exotic fare.
On Thursday, a federal jury found William Kapp, 37, a county corrections officer and taxidermist, guilty of violating the Endangered Species Act and other offenses for transporting, selling and killing tigers and leopards that are protected by law.
He faces 2 1/2 years or more in federal prison at sentencing.
The trial focused on a ring operating in Michigan, Illinois and Missouri that illegally killed and sold tigers and leopards for mounted trophies, rugs and exotic food.
Fifteen ring members, including market operator Richard Czimer Jr., pleaded guilty to charges resulting from a 4 1/2-year investigation by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. His sentencing is set for June 27. The corporation that owns the market also pleaded guilty.
Within hours of the fire, the Chicago Sun-Times and Chicago Tribune received identical e-mails taking responsibility for the fire, Rice said.
A copy of the communique provided by the Sun-Times referred to the Kapp trial.
"These helpless animals were shot (murdered) in cages at point blank," it said. "Be careful, because we know who you are and where you live."
Rice said the Animal Liberation Front is responsible for 600 acts of vandalism nationwide since 1996 and officials believe there is a cell in Chicago.
Source: http://www.ledger-enquirer.com/mld/ledgerenquirer/news/nation/5563720.htm