UPDATE, 3/27/07, via the Humane Society of the United States:

Good news! Yesterday, the U.S. House of Representatives approved the Animal Fighting Prohibition Enforcement Act (H.R. 137) by a landslide vote — 368 to 39. It’s thanks to your calls and emails to your Representative that we were able to secure such a decisive victory. Click here to find out how your Representative voted.

Now, we’re focusing on the U.S. Senate — in order to complete the effort to make it a federal felony to move fighting animals or cockfighting implements across state lines or foreign borders. Please help us keep up the momentum and make a short polite phone call to both of your Senators.

First, see if your two Senators are cosponsors of S. 261 (the companion to H.R. 137).

If they are, call and thank them for their support and ask them for help to get this legislation passed quickly in the Senate.

If they are not, call and say:

“Hello my name is [your name] and I support the Animal Fighting Prohibition Enforcement Act (H.R. 137/S. 261). The House of Representatives voted overwhelmingly and passed this legislation, and I hope the Senate will do the same. Similar legislation has been approved by the Senate three times. It is time for the Animal Fighting Prohibition Enforcement Act to become law. Please vote yes on this important bill and do all that you can to see it enacted into law now. Thank you.”

Nearly every week there are reports of problems associated with illegal dog fighting and cockfighting. This past weekend in Ohio, law enforcement agencies raided a dog fight and several kennels, seizing 64 dogs and arresting two dozen suspects. Also this past weekend, 200 roosters were seized from a cockfight in California, and a man was fatally shot at a cockfight in Hawaii.

Thank you for your continued efforts to end animal fighting. With your help, I know we can win.

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Via the Humane Society of the United States:

Tell Your Legislators to Support the Animal Fighting Prohibition Enforcement Act

The Animal Fighting Prohibition Enforcement Act (S. 261/H.R. 137) would make it a felony to transport an animal across state or international borders for animal fighting (dog fighting, cockfighting, hog-dog fighting). It would also prohibit the interstate and foreign commerce in knives and gaffs designed for use in cockfights. The U.S. House and Senate are expected to vote on this legislation very soon. Please take action to help this critical legislation move forward.

TAKE ACTION

First, see if your U.S. Representative (click here) and your two U.S. Senators (click here) are a sponsor or cosponsor of S. 261/H.R. 137, the Animal Fighting Prohibition Enforcement Act. If they are not, it is critical that you make a short, polite phone call right now in support of the bill. Click here to look up your federal legislators’ contact information. Your legislators need to hear from concerned citizens like you who want stronger penalties for illegal animal fighting.

After you make your calls, click here to send a follow-up email.

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Tagged: animals animal rights animal welfare action alerts hsus humane society of the united states dog canine dogfighting animal fighting rooster cockfighting Animal Fighting Prohibition Enforcement Act congress 110th congress