WASHINGTON (March 13, 2018)—Today the Humane Society Legislative Fund, the nation’s leading political advocacy organization for animal welfare, announced its endorsement of Dan Lipinski in the Democratic Party primary for Illinois’ 3rd Congressional District.

Rep. Lipinski is a member of the Congressional Animal Protection Caucus (CAPC), a bipartisan organization committed to raising awareness of animal welfare issues in Congress. In 2017, he received a perfect score of “100” on HSLF’s 2017 Humane Scorecard, having supported the full range of priority animal legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives.

"Dan Lipinski has been a stalwart supporter for animal protection legislation while in Congress," said Sara Amundson, executive director of the Humane Society Legislative Fund. "The Humane Society Legislative Fund is excited to support Dan Lipinski, and voters in the 3rd District who care about the humane treatment of animals should back his re-election.”

Among his efforts in the 115th Congress, Rep. Lipinski:

• Cosponsored the Prevent All Soring Tactics (PAST) Act (H.R. 1847)) to strengthen the federal law against the “soring” of Tennessee Walking horses in shows—using caustic chemicals and other painful substances to injure the horses’ hooves and legs to induce a high-stepping gait.
• Cosponsored the Pet and Women Safety (PAWS) Act (H.R. 909 and S.322) to protect the human and animal victims of domestic violence and support the work of battered women’s shelters to accommodate pets.
• Cosponsored the Prevent Animal Cruelty and Torture (PACT) Act (H.R. 1494 and S.654) to make malicious animal cruelty a crime on federal property and in interstate commerce, and complement the state anti-cruelty laws.
• Cosponsored the Safeguard American Food Exports (SAFE) Act (H.R. 113 and S. 1706) to prohibit the slaughter and export of horses for human consumption overseas.
• Cosponsored the Shark Fin Sales/Trade Elimination Act (H.R. 1456 and S.793) to prohibit the trade of shark fins.
• Cosponsored the Dog and Cat Meat Trade Prohibition Act of 2017 (H.R. 1406) to prohibit the domestic slaughter, trade and import of dogs and cats for human consumption.
• Cosponsored the Humane Cosmetics Act (H.R. 2790), to phase out the testing of cosmetics on live animals and the sale of newly animal-tested cosmetics.
• Voted against the Midnight Rules Relief Act (H.R. 21) which would allow Congress to overturn regulations en masse in the last year of a president’s term, endangering popular and broadly supported animal welfare regulations.
• Voted against the Regulations from the Executive in Need of Scrutiny (REINS) Act (H.R. 26) which would negate broadly supported rules, including commonsense measures to implement and enforce animal protection laws
• Voted against H.J. Res. 69, a Congressional Review Act resolution to revoke a Fish and Wildlife Services rule that prohibits specific egregiously cruel and unsporting hunting methods on more than 76 million acres of National Wildlife Refuges in Alaska.
• Voted against a harmful rider (H.Amdt. 351) that sought to block regulations that prohibit scientifically unjustified and cruel methods of trophy hunting on over 20 million acres of NPS lands in Alaska, including killing hibernating black bear mothers and cubs and shooting caribou while they are swimming and defenseless.

Media Contact: Lauren Selsky, (202-768-6821), LSelsky@hslf.org

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HSLF is a nonpartisan organization that evaluates candidates based only on a single criterion: where they stand on animal welfare. HSLF does not judge candidates based on party affiliation or any other issue.

The Humane Society Legislative Fund is a social welfare organization incorporated under section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code and formed in 2004 as a separate lobbying affiliate of The Humane Society of the United States. The HSLF works to pass animal protection laws at the state and federal level, to educate the public about animal protection issues, and to support humane candidates for office. Visit us on all our channels: on the web at hslf.org, on our blog at animalsandpolitics.com, on Facebook at facebook.com/humanelegislation and on Twitter at twitter.com/HSLegFund.

Paid for by Humane Society Legislative Fund and not authorized by any candidate or candidate’s committee. HSLF, 1255 23rd Street, NW, Suite 455, Washington, DC 20037.

WASHINGTON (February 27, 2018) —Today the Humane Society Legislative Fund, the nation’s leading political advocacy organization for animal welfare, announced its endorsement of Veronica Escobar for Texas’ 16th Congressional District.

As a County Commissioner, Escobar ensured important animal welfare programs had the resources they needed to succeed. She increased access to low-cost spay-neuter programs for needy families and provided funding for inmates to train unclaimed animals to prepare them for adoption so that more dogs could find loving homes.

"Veronica Escobar has been a champion for animals throughout her life," said Sara Amundson, executive director of the Humane Society Legislative Fund. "The Humane Society Legislative Fund is excited to support her candidacy and work with her to pass important animal welfare legislation."

Escobar has also committed to work on important animal welfare issues including:

• Supporting the Preventing Animal Cruelty and Torture (PACT) Act to strengthen the federal animal crush video law enacted in 2010.
• Supporting the Dog and Cat Meat Trade Prohibition Act to ban the commercial slaughter of dogs or cats for human consumption.
• Supporting the Pet and Women Safety (PAWS) Act to make it harder for abusers to prey on their partners and their pets by allowing pets to be protected across state lines when restraining orders are issued, and authorizing grant money so domestic violence shelters can accommodate pets.
• Supporting the Puppies Assisting Wounded Servicemembers (PAWS) Act to make grants to eligible nonprofit organizations that provide trained service dogs to veterans with severe post-traumatic stress disorder.
• Supporting the Prevent All Soring Tactics (PAST) Act to strengthen the federal law against the “soring” of show horses, which involves using caustic chemicals and other painful substances to injure the horses’ hooves and legs to induce a high-stepping gait.
• Supporting the Humane Cosmetics Act to prohibit the manufacture and sale of animal-tested cosmetics.

Media contact: Anna West, (301) 258-1518, awest@humanesociety.org

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HSLF is a nonpartisan organization that evaluates candidates based only on a single criterion: where they stand on animal welfare. HSLF does not judge candidates based on party affiliation or any other issue.

The Humane Society Legislative Fund is a social welfare organization incorporated under section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code and formed in 2004 as a separate lobbying affiliate of The Humane Society of the United States. The HSLF works to pass animal protection laws at the state and federal level, to educate the public about animal protection issues, and to support humane candidates for office. Visit us on all our channels: on the web at hslf.org, on our blog at animalsandpolitics.com, on Facebook at facebook.com/humanelegislation and on Twitter at twitter.com/HSLegFund.

Paid for by Humane Society Legislative Fund and not authorized by any candidate or candidate’s committee. HSLF, 1255 23rd Street, NW, Suite 455, Washington, DC 20037.

WASHINGTON (February 22, 2018) —Today the Humane Society Legislative Fund, the nation’s leading political advocacy organization for animal welfare, announced its endorsement of Conor Lamb for Pennsylvania’s 18th Congressional District.
The bipartisan group bases endorsements on candidates’ voting records and positions on animal welfare issues. While serving in the Marines, Lamb witnessed the essential role animals play in national security and in assisting our veterans as they return home. As a former federal prosecutor, Lamb knows that people who abuse animals are more likely to commit violent crimes in the future.

Conor’s opponent, Rick Saccone, voted against stiffer penalties for animal abuse and neglect in the state legislature. In 2017, Rick Saccone was one of only 20 no votes on Comprehensive Animal Cruelty Act 10, also known as Libre’s Law, the Pennsylvania animal-cruelty legislation named after an abused Boston terrier puppy found at a puppy mill in Lancaster County. By contrast, Lamb supports legislation to improve standards of care for dogs in large-scale commercial breeding operations and strengthen enforcement of the Animal Welfare Act, as well as to prohibit the most malicious forms of animal cruelty on federal property or in interstate commerce.

"Conor Lamb demonstrates compassion for animals and a commitment to enacting laws to protect them," said Sara Amundson, senior vice president of the Humane Society Legislative Fund. "As a Marine, Conor Lamb will fight for our veterans by ensuring the Department of Veterans Affairs provides access to service dogs for veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder. We urge voters in the 18th district who care about animals to support Conor Lamb for Congress."

Lamb has also committed to work on important animal welfare issues including supporting victims of domestic violence and their pets, eliminating the dog and cat meat trade, and ending horse slaughter.

Background on Libre's Law

Comprehensive Animal Cruelty Act 10, also known as Libre’s Law, the Pennsylvania animal-cruelty legislation named after an abused puppy, was signed into law by Gov. Wolf in 2017.

This law:

• Stiffens penalties for animal cruelty
• Provides Humane Society police officers and veterinarians protections to report animal cruelty.
• Includes horses in animal protection laws that currently protect dogs and cats

Read more about Libre’s Law and follow Libre’s story here.

Media contact: Anna West, (240) 751-2669, awest@humanesociety.org

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HSLF is a nonpartisan organization that evaluates candidates based only on a single criterion: where they stand on animal welfare. HSLF does not judge candidates based on party affiliation or any other issue.

The Humane Society Legislative Fund is a social welfare organization incorporated under section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code and formed in 2004 as a separate lobbying affiliate of The Humane Society of the United States. The HSLF works to pass animal protection laws at the state and federal level, to educate the public about animal protection issues, and to support humane candidates for office. Visit us on all our channels: on the web at hslf.org, on our blog at animalsandpolitics.com, on Facebook at facebook.com/humanelegislation and on Twitter at twitter.com/HSLegFund.

Paid for by Humane Society Legislative Fund and not authorized by any candidate or candidate’s committee. HSLF, 1255 23rd Street, NW, Suite 455, Washington, DC 20037.

Wildlife advocates call on congress to defend Endangered Species Act

WASHINGTON, DC (Feb. 7, 2018)—More than 240 environmental, animal welfare and conservation organizations sent a letter to House and Senate leadership today, calling on them to reject riders in 2018 Interior Department and Environmental Protection Agency appropriations legislation that would erode the Endangered Species Act and other safeguards for wildlife. The letter comes as Congress is poised to pass yet another continuing resolution that could pave the way for negotiations to begin on a final omnibus appropriations bill for FY 2018.

This year’s House and Senate bills currently include provisions that would strip away federal protections for the Mexican gray wolf and several other species, choke off funding for listed species if wildlife agencies cannot complete their five-year species reviews on time and block protections for sage-grouse, among many others.

This letter follows two recent letters from both the House and the Senate in which 104 representatives and 31 senators urged their colleagues to steadfastly protect the Endangered Species Act.

View the full letter here.

Joint Quote Issued by Signatory Organizations:

“The conservation challenges America faces today are even greater and more complex than they were when the Endangered Species Act was first enacted. We face the reality of climate change and other enormous threats to our planet’s biodiversity—which in turn threatens our own survival as a species. Clearly, now is not the time to weaken the best tool our nation has to combat what scientists have determined is the sixth major extinction phase experienced on this planet."

About the Endangered Species Act:

The Endangered Species Act remains the most effective and important law to protect animal and plant species at risk of extinction. Ninety-nine percent of species listed under the Act have survived, and many more are on the path to recovery, including the bald eagle, the brown pelican and the humpback whale. It is also one of our most popular conservation laws. According to a June 2015 poll, 90 percent of American voters support the Endangered Species Act.

Harmful provisions included in the 2018 spending legislation would:

• Strip federal protections for iconic American wildlife including the gray wolf, the Mexican gray wolf, the sage-grouse and the Preble’s meadow jumping mouse. Such decisions should be based on the best available science, not politics.
• Block federal funding for listed species if the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) or National Marine Fisheries Service fails to complete their five-year reviews on time. If passed, this legislative language would suspend all federal conservation actions for more than 900 endangered and threatened species with past-due five-year reviews—about 54 percent of all listed species. These federal agencies currently lack the funds to complete timely reviews. Endangered and threatened species should not be made to suffer and decline toward extinction because agencies lack adequate funding to fulfill their responsibilities.
• Block a Department of the Interior rule to conserve native carnivores on federally protected preserves in Alaska.
• Prevent FWS from taking any steps to list the sage-grouse under the Endangered Species Act. This is the fourth year that this rider has been included. In September 2015, FWS determined that the greater sage-grouse was not warranted for listing under the Endangered Species Act, citing an unprecedented landscape-scale planning process as reducing threats to sage-grouse. That plan will almost certainly be weakened under a new process initiated by Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke, yet this amendment would prevent a listing for sage-grouse, even if this species slips closer to extinction.
• Attack protections for gray wolves and sage-grouse. Additionally, the Senate bill includes a rider that would prevent FWS from even considering listing the imperiled lesser prairie-chicken.
• Override the longstanding Endangered Species Act Section 7 requirement of re-initiating interagency consultation once a species is listed, critical habitat is designated or new pertinent information on a listed species becomes available.

Media Contact: Lauren Selsky: lselsky@humanesociety.org

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The Humane Society Legislative Fund is a social welfare organization incorporated under section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code and formed in 2004 as a separate lobbying affiliate of The Humane Society of the United States. The HSLF works to pass animal protection laws at the state and federal level, to educate the public about animal protection issues, and to support humane candidates for office. Visit us on all our channels: on the web at hslf.org, on our blog at animalsandpolitics.com, on Facebook at facebook.com/humanelegislation and on Twitter at twitter.com/HSLegFund.

A House companion bill has 262 cosponsors, putting the nation on the cusp of passing its first-ever federal anti-cruelty statute

WASHINGTON, DC (Dec. 15, 2017)—The U.S. Senate unanimously passed the Preventing Animal Cruelty and Torture (PACT) Act, S. 654, earning praise from The Humane Society of the United States and the Humane Society Legislative Fund. As the first-ever general federal animal cruelty bill, the PACT Act builds on the federal animal crush video law enacted in 2010, which banned the creation, sale, and distribution of obscene videos that show animals being crushed, burned, drowned, suffocated, impaled, or subjected to other forms of heinous cruelty. The PACT Act, led by Sens. Pat Toomey, R-Pa., and Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., will prohibit those same extreme acts of animal cruelty when they occur in interstate or foreign commerce, regardless of whether a video is produced, and those convicted of such abuse will face federal felony charges, fines and up to seven years in prison. The measure also makes bestiality a federal criminal enterprise.

The House bill introduced by Reps. Lamar Smith, R-Texas, and Ted Deutch, D-Fla,. has earned bipartisan support with 262 cosponsors. This legislation is also endorsed by more than 200 law enforcement agencies across the country. Few bills in the Congress have this level of bipartisan support.

Wayne Pacelle, president and CEO of The Humane Society of the United States and executive vice president of Humane Society Legislative Fund, said: “It’s past due for the federal government to enact a strong anti-cruelty law, to complement the state laws against malicious mistreatment of animals. We know that there is a correlation between vicious cruelty to animals and violence against humans.”

Sen. Toomey said: “Animal crushing is absolutely disgusting and there is no place for this behavior in our society. It is long past time this abhorrent practice came to an end and I am glad the Senate once again took the next step towards advancing that goal. I am hopeful that this bipartisan bill will pass the House and finally get enacted into law.”

Sen. Blumenthal said: “This bipartisan measure finally prohibits a heinous, inhumane practice—stating emphatically once and for all that there is no place in a civilized society for the maiming and torturing of animals. Thanks to the long overdue action of the Senate, the barbaric individuals who commit these crimes will no longer walk free. I call on the House to pass this important legislation immediately.”

At a time when our nation is divided, opposition to animal cruelty is one of the ideas that unites us. Our nation should have a zero tolerance policy for malicious cruelty, and the PACT Act complements the work of the states in rooting out malicious mistreatment of animals.

“We are immensely grateful to Senators Toomey and Blumenthal for leading this critical fight,” added Pacelle. “Our nation should have a zero tolerance policy for violence against innocent animals.”

Media Contact: Anna West: awest@humanesociety.org; 301-258-1518

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The Humane Society Legislative Fund is a social welfare organization incorporated under section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code and formed in 2004 as a separate lobbying affiliate of The Humane Society of the United States. The HSLF works to pass animal protection laws at the state and federal level, to educate the public about animal protection issues, and to support humane candidates for office. Visit us on all our channels: on the web at hslf.org, on our blog at animalsandpolitics.com, on Facebook at facebook.com/humanelegislation and on Twitter at twitter.com/HSLegFund.

The Humane Society of the United States is the nation’s largest animal protection organization, rated the most effective by its peers. Since 1954, The HSUS has been fighting for the protection of all animals through advocacy, education and hands-on programs. We rescue and care for tens of thousands of animals each year, but our primary mission is to prevent cruelty before it occurs. We're there for all animals, across America and around the world. Celebrating animals and confronting cruelty -- on the Web at humanesociety.org. Subscribe to the blog, A Humane Nation. Join The HSUS on Facebook. Follow The HSUS on Twitter. See our work for animals on your Apple or Android device by searching for our “Humane TV” app.

WASHINGTON, DC (Dec. 15, 2017)—The USDA announced its intent to withdraw the Organic Livestock and Poultry Practices rule (“organics rule”) from the national organic program. This rule, which has been under consideration for more than ten years, was approved as a final rulemaking action by the executive branch at the beginning of 2017 with overwhelming support from organic livestock producers and consumers alike.

Wayne Pacelle, president and CEO of The Humane Society of the United States and executive vice president of the Humane Society Legislative Fund, said: “Today’s announcement is a subversion of comprehensive federal animal welfare standards approved by the USDA, and it will prove crippling to family farmers all across the nation who treat their animals well and want to be able to market their products under an authentic ‘organic’ label. We are appalled by this action, and plan to mount a major effort to reverse a decision that will contribute to hollowing out rural communities and that will allow factory farmers to trick the public and sell their products at a premium under a deficient organic label.”

The new Administration has delayed the rule’s implementation three times since it was adopted in January prior to today’s announcement that the USDA intends to kill off the program in its entirety. Family farmers have been advocating for the elements in the final rulemaking approved earlier this year for two decades. These farmers opt in to the program, and no one forces them to participate in the organic program.

In 1990, Congress passed the Organic Foods Production Act to “assure consumers that organically produced products meet a consistent standard.” The statute directed the USDA to establish national standards for products using the “organic” label, and it called on the National Organic Standards Board to recommend requirements “for the care of livestock.” The NOSB unanimously favored the rule that the USDA has now pulled. Despite the USDA’s newly claimed confusion over its statutory authority to establish livestock standards, the Act has long been interpreted to include animal welfare considerations, and the 2017 organics rule is consistent with congressional intent.

This rule would allow farmers who use more humane and sustainable practices to get a return on their investment by marketing their products to consumers willing to pay a bit more to eat safer, more humanely produced animal products. “Farmers and consumers opt into this program, and the USDA has a simple role: develop fair, science-based standards,” added Pacelle. “Instead, the agency has bowed to Big Ag and scuttled a program that every key stakeholder in the organic space wanted. This is a political manifestation of the swamp at work.”

The organics industry—including animal products and fruits and vegetables—generates nearly $50 billion in sales annually and is a key component of the agricultural economy.

Starting this Monday, December 18, the public will have 30 days to submit their feedback on the withdrawal of the rules. Instructions for submitting comments can be found at: https://s3.amazonaws.com/public-inspection.federalregister.gov/2017-27316.pdf.

Media Contact: Anna West: awest@humanesociety.org; 240-751-2669

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The Humane Society Legislative Fund is a social welfare organization incorporated under section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code and formed in 2004 as a separate lobbying affiliate of The Humane Society of the United States. The HSLF works to pass animal protection laws at the state and federal level, to educate the public about animal protection issues, and to support humane candidates for office. Visit us on all our channels: on the web at hslf.org, on our blog at animalsandpolitics.com, on Facebook at facebook.com/humanelegislation and on Twitter at twitter.com/HSLegFund.

The Humane Society of the United States is the nation’s largest animal protection organization, rated the most effective by its peers. Since 1954, The HSUS has been fighting for the protection of all animals through advocacy, education and hands-on programs. We rescue and care for tens of thousands of animals each year, but our primary mission is to prevent cruelty before it occurs. We're there for all animals, across America and around the world. Celebrating animals and confronting cruelty -- on the Web at humanesociety.org. Subscribe to the blog, A Humane Nation. Join The HSUS on Facebook. Follow The HSUS on Twitter. See our work for animals on your Apple or Android device by searching for our “Humane TV” app.

Bipartisan support for President Trump’s call to halt trophy imports from Africa into U.S.

December 5, 2017—Just two weeks after President Trump described wildlife trophy hunting as a “horror show,” a new nationwide survey of the American electorate reveals that an overwhelming number of Americans of all political persuasions agree with him, especially Republicans. Americans in every region and both major parties demonstrate a deep dislike of trophy hunting, and there is negligible support for allowing trophy parts from elephants and lions to come into the country.

The survey showed that voters, by a more than five to one margin, oppose allowing American trophy hunters to import into the U.S. the parts of elephants and lions they kill in Africa, with 78 percent opposing and 15 percent supporting the imports. Those trophy imports are opposed by 76 percent of Republicans, 84 percent of Democrats, and 75 percent of non-partisan voters. More broadly, 69 percent of Americans say they oppose trophy hunting, including 79 percent of Democrats, 61 percent of Republicans, and 67 percent of non-partisan voters.

Results followed the recent global backlash against the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) announcement that elephant and lion trophy imports from Zimbabwe and Zambia would be permitted into the U.S. On November 17th, President Trump and U.S. Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke announced that the USFWS decision to permit imports of elephant and lion trophies was placed on hold pending further review.

The survey found that a majority of Americans support this decision by the President, with the strongest support coming from Republicans (72 support to 19 oppose) and conservatives (64 support to 24 oppose) but also pluralities of Democrats (48 support to 35 oppose) and liberals (49 support to 28 oppose) backing the President on trophy hunting.

One claim of pro-trophy hunting advocates is that trophy hunters provide much needed revenue for Africans living in economically depressed regions and that the need for revenue outweighs the need to preserve wildlife populations. The survey showed that 78 percent of Americans disagree with this claim, including 75 percent of Republicans and 83 percent of Democrats.

“These polling results demonstrate that Americans of all political persuasions oppose trophy hunting by massive margins,” said Wayne Pacelle, president and CEO of The Humane Society of the United States and executive vice president of the Humane Society Legislative Fund. “Republicans are most aligned with President Trump’s views that trophy hunting is a ‘horror show,’ but Democrats and Independents back him on this, too.”

Editorial boards throughout the nation have called on President Trump to ban imports of lion and elephant trophies. So did conservative pundits, including Laura Ingraham, Michael Savage, and Mark Levin.

Wildlife watching revenues dwarf the dollars generated by trophy hunting. Kenya banned all trophy hunting in 1977, and Botswana outlawed all trophy hunting in 2014.

The survey of 3,011 registered voters was conducted by the Remington Research Group from December 2 – December 3, 2017. The survey was weighted to match expected turnout demographics for the 2018 General Election. Margin of Error is +/-2.2% with a 95% level of confidence. The survey results can be viewed here.

Media Contact: Kirsten Peek: kpeek@humanesociety.org; 301.548.7793

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The Humane Society Legislative Fund is a social welfare organization incorporated under section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code and formed in 2004 as a separate lobbying affiliate of The Humane Society of the United States. The HSLF works to pass animal protection laws at the state and federal level, to educate the public about animal protection issues, and to support humane candidates for office. Visit us on all our channels: on the web at hslf.org, on our blog at animalsandpolitics.com, on Facebook at facebook.com/humanelegislation and on Twitter at twitter.com/HSLegFund.

WASHINGTON, DC (November 1, 2017)—Today a bipartisan group of House lawmakers introduced legislation to upgrade the federal law against dogfighting and cockfighting to clarify that the territories of the United States are not exempt from a series of legal prohibitions against animal fighting. Reps. Peter Roskam, R-Ill., Earl Blumenauer, D-Ore., Rodney Davis, R-Ill., Rick Nolan, D-Minn., Kevin Yoder, R-Kan., Tony Cárdenas, D-Calif., Steve Knight, R-Calif., Rep. Brad Sherman, D-Calif., and Rep. Vern Buchanan, R-Fla., introduced the Parity in Animal Cruelty Enforcement (PACE) Act, H.R. 4202, today, clarifying that the federal prohibitions against animal fighting apply everywhere in the United States, including U.S. territories.

Congress has upgraded the federal law against animal fighting four times in the last 15 years. Under current federal law, it is a felony crime to sponsor or exhibit an animal in a fighting venture; to buy, sell, deliver, possess, train or transport an animal for fighting purposes; to use the Postal Service or other interstate means to promote animal fighting; to buy, sell, deliver or transport cockfighting implements; and to bring a minor to an animal fight. It is a federal misdemeanor to be a spectator at an animal fighting spectacle. The prohibitions include any animal fighting activity that affects interstate or foreign commerce.

There were dozens of cockfighting arenas in Arizona, Louisiana, Oklahoma, and other states before citizens and state and federal lawmakers cracked down on these activities by passing anti-animal fighting statutes. Some animal fighting occurs in Puerto Rico, Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands, but the presence of animal fighting spectacles in these U.S. territories is precisely the reason additional federal action is needed.

This past June, a poll of 1,000 registered voters in Puerto Rico, conducted by Remington Research on behalf of the Humane Society of the United States, revealed that among resident with a definite view of cockfighting, there was a two to one majority favoring a ban on the practice. Dogfighting is a felony in Puerto Rico, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. HSUS is the lead disaster responder for animals in Puerto Rico in the wake of Hurricane Maria, and for three years has conducted an extensive program, called Humane Puerto Rico, to help the animals and people of the Commonwealth.

Wayne Pacelle, president and CEO of The Humane Society of the United States and executive director of the Humane Society Legislative Fund, said: “We shouldn’t have one set of rules against animal cruelty for all 50 states and a different set of rules for U.S. territories. Dogfighting and cockfighting are barbaric practices, more widely criminalized than any other form of animal cruelty in the world, and the prohibitions should apply to every part of the country.”

Rep. Roskam said: "Cruelty to animals is not a form of entertainment; it's a criminal act that puts both animals and humans at risk and is often associated with other criminal activities. Our treatment of animals is a reflection of who we are and we have a responsibility to treat animals in a humane manner. Strengthening the law against cockfighting and other forms of animal fighting allows us to better protect animals from this type of violence as we move to end the cruelty of animal fighting."

Rep. Blumenauer, a lead sponsor of several of the prior upgrades in the law, said: “Congress enacted federal animal fighting laws to protect animals from needless cruelty, and communities from associated crimes such as illegal drug dealing and human violence. Animals used for fighting are often drugged to heighten their aggression and forced to keep fighting even after they’ve suffered grievous injuries such as broken bones, deep gashes, punctured lungs and pierced eyes.”

Rep. Davis said: “The United States has long prohibited animal fighting and this bill simply ensures there is no ambiguity in the law and that it applies to all U.S. territories. In addition to preventing animal cruelty, strengthening the law against cockfighting helps safeguard against the spread of diseases in poultry such as avian flu, since birds used in cockfighting are particularly vulnerable. After a 2002 outbreak of exotic Newcastle disease in the U.S., which cost taxpayers nearly $200 million and the poultry industry many millions more, the USDA implicated cockfighting as a culprit in spreading the disease.”

Rep. Nolan said: “As a society, we have an obligation to protect those without a voice, including animals who are cruelly forced to fight one another. This legislation affirms and ensures that animal fighting has no place in any jurisdiction within the United States, and it will help safeguard our human communities."

Rep. Cárdenas said: “It has long been the policy of the United States to deter and discourage dogfighting and cockfighting, which are inhumane spectacles of cruelty. With this upgrade of the law, we advance that policy in a consistent way in every part of our nation.”

Rep. Knight said: “I am proud to be an original cosponsor of this legislation that will help enforce our laws and defend our values. The PACE Act recertifies America’s commitment to the humane treatment of animals. Dogfighting, cockfighting, and other forms of animal cruelty not only subject animals to immense amounts of suffering, but these practices also degrade the moral fabric of our communities. This bill came to fruition after an incident near my district that revealed a massive underground cockfighting ring. Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department displayed incredible professionalism and skill in dismantling this organization. However, it is clear that more action must be taken by Congress to better enforce laws preventing this type of activity. I look forward to working with my colleagues to push forward this bipartisan legislation.”

Rep. Sherman said: “I have long fought to eradicate dogfighting and cockfighting throughout the United States. Earlier this year, in Los Angeles, law enforcement conducted one of the largest raids ever of a cockfighting stable. We must remain vigilant and strengthen laws against this form of animal cruelty.”

Rep. Buchanan said: “Stopping animal cruelty and preventing animal fighting should be a bipartisan issue important to all of us. I look forward to working with Congressman Roskam and my colleagues in the House to advance this common-sense measure.”

Media contact:


Thaisi Da Silva: 202-578-6767; tdasilva@humanesociety.org

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The Humane Society Legislative Fund is a social welfare organization incorporated under section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code and formed in 2004 as a separate lobbying affiliate of The Humane Society of the United States. The HSLF works to pass animal protection laws at the state and federal level, to educate the public about animal protection issues, and to support humane candidates for office. Visit us on all our channels: on the web at hslf.org, on our blog at animalsandpolitics.com, on Facebook at facebook.com/humanelegislation and on Twitter at twitter.com/HSLegFund.

The Humane Society of the United States is the nation’s largest animal protection organization, rated the most effective by its peers. Since 1954, The HSUS has been fighting for the protection of all animals through advocacy, education and hands-on programs. We rescue and care for tens of thousands of animals each year, but our primary mission is to prevent cruelty before it occurs. We're there for all animals, across America and around the world. Celebrating animals and confronting cruelty -- on the Web at humanesociety.org. Subscribe to the blog, A Humane Nation. Join The HSUS on Facebook. Follow The HSUS on Twitter. See our work for animals on your Apple or Android device by searching for our “Humane TV” app.

USDA is accepting public comment on flawed policy that automatically renews licenses of businesses with chronic Animal Welfare Act violations

WASHINGTON, DC (October 16, 2017)—The ASPCA (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals), the Animal Welfare Institute (AWI), the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), and the Humane Society Legislative Fund (HSLF) are calling on the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to end its practice of relicensing chronic violators of the minimum care standards set forth in the Animal Welfare Act (AWA). The USDA is accepting public comments on how to improve its troubling relicensing scheme, which automatically reissues licenses to animal businesses including puppy mills, zoos, and circuses, regardless of whether the business has a history of mistreating animals.

The USDA routinely renews the licenses of businesses with sick or injured animals that have repeatedly failed to provide adequate veterinary care, food, clean water, and protection from the elements. In the case of puppy mills, they are allowed to continue to sell puppies online and in pet stores around the country, regardless of their atrocious conditions or the poor health of the animals, and in some cases, regardless of whether they have even made their properties available for inspection at all. This lax licensing scheme harms not only animals, but people as well. The Centers for Disease Control is currently investigating an outbreak of Campylobacter stemming from sick puppies being sold through Petland, a national pet store chain that acquires its puppies primarily from USDA licensed breeders.

"The USDA continues to hand over licenses to animal businesses that make animals and people sick, enabling animal abusers to operate year after year while the USDA pursues enforcement at a snail's pace," said Jennie Lintz, director of ASPCA’s Puppy Mills Campaign. "The USDA’s own Office of Inspector General instructed the agency to stop automatically relicensing violators as far back as 1995. We urge the USDA to stop allowing animal businesses to profit from animal suffering."

"Roadside zoos are notorious for their substandard and unsafe environments that cause their animals great physical and psychological suffering, and expose the public to potential danger," said Nancy Blaney, AWI’s director of government affairs. "Nonetheless, they get to stay in business because they send in their annual license renewal fee every year. This failure to protect animals and the public has to end."

The USDA is also accepting public comment on whether AWA-regulated businesses should have to disclose state or local animal cruelty convictions before having their licenses renewed. Disclosure of cruelty convictions is not currently required but should be, as a commonsense way to identify bad actors. Additionally, the USDA is considering whether violators should be able to obtain new licenses using a different name or that of a family member. The department currently allows this, meaning problematic licensees can operate under a new name, even after their license has been taken away.

"We commend the USDA for recognizing that the rules must be strengthened to stop animal abusers from repeatedly skirting the law," said John Goodwin, Senior Director of the Stop Puppy Mills Campaign for The HSUS. "The agency’s ability to prevent animal mistreatment is severely undermined when problem dealers are allowed to renew a license, or simply drop a noncompliant license and then obtain a new one under a relative's name or a new business name. The HSUS urges all animal lovers to comment online or write to the USDA before October 23 in support of commonsense rules that will help to ensure that licensees are meeting the requirements of the Animal Welfare Act as Congress originally intended. Everyone who cares about the welfare of dogs and other animals should add their voice and support them."

The USDA is accepting public comment until October 23. To submit a comment to the USDA, telling it to stop automatically renewing licenses of businesses that don’t comply with minimum care standards required under the Animal Welfare Act, please visit www.aspca.org/usdalicense.

Media contacts:

• ASPCA: Maureen Linehan, 646-706-4602, maureen.l inehan@aspca.org
• AWI: Amey Owen, 202-446-2128, ameyowen@awionline.org
• HSUS & HSLF: Samantha Miller, 240-672-2361, smiller@humanesociety.org

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The Humane Society Legislative Fund is a social welfare organization incorporated under section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code and formed in 2004 as a separate lobbying affiliate of The Humane Society of the United States. The HSLF works to pass animal protection laws at the state and federal level, to educate the public about animal protection issues, and to support humane candidates for office. Visit us on all our channels: on the web at hslf.org, on our blog at animalsandpolitics.com, on Facebook at facebook.com/humanelegislation and on Twitter at twitter.com/HSLegFund.

The Humane Society of the United States is the nation’s largest animal protection organization, rated the most effective by its peers. Since 1954, The HSUS has been fighting for the protection of all animals through advocacy, education and hands-on programs. We rescue and care for tens of thousands of animals each year, but our primary mission is to prevent cruelty before it occurs. We're there for all animals, across America and around the world. Celebrating animals and confronting cruelty—on the Web at humanesociety.org. Subscribe to the blog, A Humane Nation. Join The HSUS on Facebook. Follow The HSUS on Twitter. See our work for animals on your Apple or Android device by searching for our “Humane TV” app.

Founded in 1866, the ASPCA® (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®) was the first animal welfare organization in North America and continues to serve as the nation’s leading voice for animals. More than two million supporters strong, the ASPCA is committed to its mission of providing effective means for the prevention of cruelty to animals throughout the United States. As a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation, the ASPCA is a national leader in the areas of anti-cruelty, community outreach and animal health services. For more information, please visit www.ASPCA.org, and be sure to follow the ASPCA on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

The Animal Welfare Institute (www.awionline.org) is a nonprofit charitable organization founded in 1951 and dedicated to reducing animal suffering caused by people. AWI engages policymakers, scientists, industry, and the public to achieve better treatment of animals everywhere—in the laboratory, on the farm, in commerce, at home, and in the wild. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter for updates and other important animal protection news.

WASHINGTON (October 13, 2017) —Today the Humane Society Legislative Fund, the nation’s leading political advocacy organization for animal welfare, announced its endorsement of fourteen candidates—seven Republicans and seven Democrats—for the New Jersey State Legislature.

"These candidates have each exerted their influence to advance pro-animal policies, many of which have passed both chambers and landed on the governor’s desk," said Sara Amundson, executive director and senior vice president of the Humane Society Legislative Fund. "We are pleased to endorse these exceptional candidates and ask animal-loving New Jerseyans to support them this November."

In Legislative District 5, HSLF endorses Nilsa Cruz-Perez (D) for reelection to the Senate, where she has introduced a bill to provide legal protection to "Good Samaritans" who rescue an animal from a parked vehicle under inhumane conditions. She has also sponsored various pieces of legislation to protect wildlife from inhumane practices.

In Legislative District 7, HSLF endorses Troy Singleton (D) for election to the Senate. Serving in the Assembly, he introduced legislation to stop the use of cruel foothold traps and to end surgical declawing of cats and other animals. He has also sponsored anti-puppy mill and anti-tethering bills.

In Legislative District 10, HSLF endorses all three incumbent legislators for reelection—Jim Holzapfel (R) for Senate and Greg McGuckin (R) and David Wolfe (R) for Assembly. All played crucial roles in the passage of legislation they sponsored to establish requirements for the proper shelter of dogs and other domestic animals.

In Legislative District 12, HSLF endorses Robert Clifton (R) and Ronald Dancer (R) for reelection to the Assembly. Both backed passage of a bill to institute new requirements that would protect consumers from unscrupulous pet sellers, and have supported other animal welfare-related bills.

In Legislative District 14, HSLF endorses Dan Benson (D) for reelection to the Assembly, where he championed a bill to thwart puppy mills by establishing new requirements for pet dealers and shops.

In Legislative District 16, HSLF endorses Christopher "Kip" Bateman (R) for reelection to the Senate, where he has sponsored anti-trapping legislation and cosponsored a bill to prohibit tethering of dogs for extended periods, in inclement weather, or without sufficient shelter and water.

In Legislative District 30, HSLF endorses Robert Singer (R) for reelection to the Senate, where he has sponsored anti-tethering legislation and supported passage of an anti-puppy mill bill.

In Legislative District 33, HSLF endorses Raj Mukherji (D) for reelection to the Assembly, where he introduced a bill to prohibit the use of elephants in traveling animal acts. He also sponsored legislation to protect wildlife and domestic animals, and helped champion NJ’s comprehensive ivory trafficking ban.

In Legislative District 37, HSLF endorses Valerie Vainieri-Huttle (D) for reelection to the Assembly, where she introduced a bill to provide legal protection to “Good Samaritans” who rescue animals from parked vehicles under inhumane conditions. She also sponsored anti-puppy mill and anti-tethering bills.

In Legislative District 38, HSLF endorses Timothy Eustace (D) for reelection to the Assembly, where he introduced a bill to prevent conflicts between humans and bears by requiring the use of bear-resistant containers in black bear habitat and prohibiting the feeding of black bears. He has also introduced legislation to prohibit the use of snares to trap wildlife, and sponsored numerous other bills to improve animal welfare.

In Legislative District 40, HSLF endorses Christine Ordway (D) for election to the Assembly. A longtime animal welfare advocate, she has worked with state legislators, civic and community groups, and the general public to advance animal-friendly policies.

Media contact: Anna West, (240) 751-2669, awest@humanesociety.org

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HSLF is a nonpartisan organization that evaluates candidates based only on a single criterion: where they stand on animal welfare. HSLF does not judge candidates based on party affiliation or any other issue.

The Humane Society Legislative Fund is a social welfare organization incorporated under section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code and formed in 2004 as a separate lobbying affiliate of The Humane Society of the United States. The HSLF works to pass animal protection laws at the state and federal level, to educate the public about animal protection issues, and to support humane candidates for office. Visit us on all our channels: on the web at hslf.org, on our blog at animalsandpolitics.com, on Facebook at facebook.com/humanelegislation and on Twitter at twitter.com/HSLegFund.

Paid for by Humane Society Legislative Fund and not authorized by any candidate or candidate’s committee. HSLF, 1255 23rd Street, NW, Suite 455, Washington, DC 20037.