Industry agrees to voluntarily take steps to protect pets, wildlife and children

WASHINGTON (Dec. 13, 2012) --The Humane Society Legislative Fund and Consumer Specialty Products Association jointly announce an agreement to voluntarily add a bitter flavoring agent to antifreeze and engine coolant manufactured for sale for the consumer market in all 50 states and the District of Columbia  to prevent animals and children from being poisoned by the sweet-tasting liquid. Poisoning occurs because animals are attracted to the sweetness of antifreeze and engine coolant, which inadvertently spills in our driveways or is left in open containers in garages.
 
“This is a ground-breaking example of what’s right with Washington,” said Sara Amundson, executive director of the Humane Society Legislative Fund. “After years of battling over legislation addressing this important issue, the manufacturers of antifreeze and engine coolant have been working with animal advocates to pass state laws with mutually-agreed on language. Now, the Humane Society Legislative Fund applauds them for taking this important step to help protect our pets, kids and wildlife in every state.”

HSLF estimates range from 10,000 to 90,000 animals poisoned each year after ingesting ethylene glycol, the highly toxic substance used in auto antifreeze and coolant. Ethylene glycol's sweet smell and taste make it attractive to animals as well as children. The manufacturers are adding bitter-tasting denatonium benzoate to antifreeze and coolant sold directly to consumers across the country.

“Partnering with the Humane Society Legislative Fund in passing these laws in 17 states has shown by finding compromise and working together we can develop sound public policy. It is vital that consumers continue to read the labels and follow label instructions on the proper use, storage and disposal of antifreeze.  Today, all major marketers are placing the bitterant in antifreeze in all 50 states,” said Phil Klein, executive vice president, legislative and public affairs for CSPA. 

Facts:

• Seventeen states currently require the addition of the bittering agent to antifreeze and engine coolant: Arizona, California, Georgia, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oregon, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia and Wisconsin.

• Oregon passed the first state law and it has been in effect since 1991.

• In one survey, two out of three veterinarians reported that they had treated at least one case of antifreeze/engine coolant poisoning each year.

• One teaspoon of antifreeze or engine coolant can kill an average-sized cat.

• Denatonium benzoate has been used in common household products and as an anti-nail biting formula for decades in the United States.

Media contacts: Heather Sullivan, HSLF, (301) 548-7778, hsullivan@hslf.org
Lynne Harris, CSPA, (202) 833-7311, lharris@cspa.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.

Non-Partisan Animal Welfare Organization Endorses a Democrat and a Republican for Pennsylvania Statewide Offices

WASHINGTON (Nov. 1, 2012) -- The Humane Society Legislative Fund, the nation’s leading political advocacy organization for animal welfare, announces its endorsement of one Democrat and one Republican seeking statewide offices in Pennsylvania -- Kathleen Kane for Attorney General and John Maher for Auditor General. Citing both candidates strong support of animal protection policies, the Humane Society Legislative Fund urges Pennsylvania voters to support these two candidates for their respective statewide races.

The Democratic nominee for Attorney General, Kathleen Kane has pledged to make consumer protection a priority and that includes enforcement of the Dog Purchaser Protection Act, also known as the "Puppy Lemon Law." While an Assistant District Attorney in Lackawanna County she has prosecuted many animal cruelty cases and pledges to continue to do so as Attorney General. She believes we need to be humane to animals because it reflects how we treat other people in the community.

Kane will be a strong voice for animals. She has committed to protecting them and consumers by:

• Vowing to continue to fight for consumer protection and enforce the Puppy Lemon Law
• Bringing experience as a prosecutor of many animal cruelty cases while Asst. D.A. in Lackawanna County
• Urging support for a stronger state anti-cruelty statute

HSLF has also endorsed State Rep. John Maher in his quest to become Auditor General. “John Maher has been a leader in the state legislature on animal protection issues, and we know he’ll do all he can to help animals as Auditor General,” said Sara Amundson, executive director of the Humane Society Legislative Fund. “He has a track record of getting things done, and we could not be more grateful for his focus on fighting animal cruelty.”

Rep. Maher has a consistent record of supporting anti-cruelty bills since his first day in office, and he is the House Chair of the Pennsylvania House Animal Protection Caucus. Earlier this year, Maher was named "Humane Legislator of the Year.” Among his efforts, Maher has:

• Introduced and passed HB2630, to end the use of gas chambers to euthanize dogs and cats at animal shelters in Pennsylvania, making Pennsylvania the 21st state in the country to ban them. Gov. Corbett recently signed the legislation
• Co-sponsored HB 2525, to protect dogs and crack down on large-scale puppy mill abuses in Pennsylvania, making it, at the time, one of the strongest dog protection laws in the country
• Co-sponsored and led efforts to end cruel live pigeon shoots for over a decade
• Voted to support HB2150, giving a $300 tax credit for anyone adopting a dog or cat from a shelter

“If we are going to see humane policies to protect animals from cruelty, we need elected officials who care about them,” added Amundson.  “We hope humane-minded voters will support Kane and Maher on November 6.”

Media contact: Heather Sullivan, (301) 548-7778, hsullivan@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.

DesJarlais Sided with Dogfighting and Cockfighting Interests and Also Tried to Stand in the Way of Enforcing the Horse Protection Act

WASHINGTON (Nov. 1, 2012) -- In his first term in the U.S. House of Representatives, Scott DesJarlais scored “zero” on the Humane Society Legislative Fund’s ratings of lawmakers, and has been active in efforts to thwart enforcement of the Horse Protection Act and passage of legislation to make it a crime to bring a child to a dogfight or a cockfight.

“Caring for God’s helpless creatures is a measure of character, and Scott DesJarlais has failed that test,” said Michael Markarian, president of the Humane Society Legislative Fund. “He not only voted against an effort to crack down on bringing children to dogfights, but he’s also tried to undermine efforts of the USDA to enforce laws against the criminal practice of horse soring.”

That issue was in the news in Tennessee and throughout the nation after an undercover video investigation into the handling of horses by Jackie McConnell, a former Hall of Fame trainer of Tennessee Walking Horses. McConnell pleaded guilty to violations of federal law and is now facing state anti-cruelty charges. DeJarlais wrote a letter stating he is “concerned” about USDA’s enforcement actions, and believes “they are unacceptable and create great uncertainty for the industry.”

DesJarlais scored a zero out of 100 percent on the Humane Scorecard for the 112th Congress, failing to support a single animal welfare policy and voting against every animal welfare measure that came to the House floor.

DesJarlais has:

• Voted in the House Agriculture Committee to oppose an amendment to make it a crime for an adult to bring a child to a dogfight or cockfight (AMDT.32/H.R.6083). The amendment was approved by the Agriculture Committee, and the underlying House bill has 226 cosponsors, including 78 Republicans. The Senate passed a similar amendment by a vote of 88 to 11.
• Voted to allow American trophy hunters to import the heads and hides of polar bears killed for sport in the Arctic, even though polar bears are listed as a threatened species (H.AMDT.1008/H.R. 4089).
• Voted twice to waste taxpayer dollars on subsidies to massive factory farms, which thrive on taxpayer giveaways that keep animal feed artificially cheap, jeopardize public health, the environment, and animal welfare, while also driving smaller and more humane, sustainable family farms out of business (H.AMDT.124/H.R.1) and (H.AMDT.478/H.R. 2112).
• Voted to spend millions of taxpayer dollars on the use of aerial gunning, toxic poisons, steel-jawed leghold traps and other inhumane methods of killing predators as a federal subsidy. (H.AMDT.471/H.R.2112).
• Not co-sponsored any of the bills to crack down on puppy mills, end the use of chimpanzees in invasive experiments, or reform the egg industry which is the top legislative priority for that agriculture sector.

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

King voted against including pets and service animals in disaster plans—a policy now saving lives in the regions devastated by Hurricane Sandy

WASHINGTON (Oct. 31, 2012) -- As the nation begins to recover from Hurricane Sandy, one of the most devastating storms to hit the United States, Steve King’s inconsistent and morally wrong position on disaster relief was on display last night during the final congressional debate in Mason City when he said that federal aid for people impacted by Hurricane Sandy should not be spent on "Gucci bags and massage parlors." The Humane Society Legislative Fund notes that King not only voted against flood relief in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, but he was one of only a handful of lawmakers who voted against the Pets Evacuation and Transportation Standards (PETS) Act of 2006, which now requires disaster plans to include pets and service animals.

The vote on the PETS Act came in the wake of the Hurricane Katrina disaster in the Gulf Coast, after so many people stayed behind and put themselves and first responders at risk because there were no plans to care for pets. The House passed the bill by a vote of 349 to 24, and Steve King was the only Iowa lawmaker to vote against it. It passed the Senate unanimously, with support from both Sens. Chuck Grassley and Tom Harkin. President George W. Bush signed it into law (H.R. 3858/P.L. 109-308)—saying that if he could take one thing while evacuating during a disaster, he would take his dog, Barney.

Because there is now an official federal policy in place on pets in disasters, which King opposed, responding agencies are better prepared to assist families that include pets and service animals in a time of crisis. More emergency shelters allow people to bring their pets when they evacuate disaster-stricken areas, or have separate accommodations set up for temporarily housing pets. The response to Hurricane Sandy took pets and service animals into account, which made the human relief effort more effective, since people were less likely to stay behind and put themselves in danger. In the years following Katrina, including during the floods in the Midwest, residents have benefited from having a federal policy on pets and service animals in disasters.

“When floods hit the Missouri River, Steve King knew he had no choice but to support a federal response to the disaster,” said Sara Amundson, executive director of the Humane Society Legislative Fund. “But what about all of the other people suffering in the wake of a disaster, and his series of votes to deny appropriate relief and assistance?  He also failed to recognize that caring for pets and service animals in disasters is a necessary component of any successful response, given the close bond that people have with their animals.”

About two-thirds of American households have pets. A Zogby International poll after Hurricane Katrina struck the Gulf Coast found that 61 percent of pet owners will not evacuate if they cannot bring their pets with them.

Media contact: Heather Sullivan, (240) 477-2251, hsullivan@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.

Animal Welfare Group Calls on King to Release Records of His Supposed Financial Support for Local Humane Societies

WASHINGTON (Oct. 30, 2012) -- In response to a question posed by a moderator at last week’s candidate debate hosted by Iowa Public Television about the Humane Society Legislative Fund’s campaign against him, Congressman Steve King represented to his constituents that he’s a donor to local humane societies, in an apparent attempt to indicate that he does care about the well-being of animals. Given that King has taken dozens of votes on animal protection issues as a state lawmaker and then as a congressman and opposed just about every one of them, his claim struck a false note. HSLF subsequently surveyed the leaders of several local humane organizations throughout Iowa, and by all accounts, King has never been a donor or supporter to any one of these groups. HSLF is calling on King to release records of his supposed donations to local humane organizations.

“Steve King, as a state legislator and now as a congressman, has gone out of his way to oppose and even attack the most modest efforts to help animals,” said Sara Amundson, executive director of the Humane Society Legislative Fund. “Now we know that Steve King is prepared to misrepresent his philanthropic record on this subject. He hasn’t given an inch on animal welfare reforms, and he apparently hasn’t given a dime to any kind of animal welfare group – local or national.”

The Humane Society Legislative Fund has identified King as the number one opponent of animal welfare in Congress, getting scores of zero in a number of congressional sessions, with dozens of opportunities through the years to demonstrate support for legislation by voting on bills in committee or on the floor or by cosponsoring legislation.

HSLF has spent more than $500,000 on TV ads to highlight King’s efforts in Congress against animal welfare, including his efforts to block legislation to make it a crime for an adult to bring a child to a dogfight or cockfight (AMDT.32/H.R.6083). He previously opposed federal legislation to make it a felony to move animals across state lines for animal fighting (H.R. 137/P.L. 110-22), saying, “I believe that human life is diminished by our making it a felony to transport animals for fighting, without first making it a felony to take a minor girl across a state line for an abortion” (March 28, 2007).

He’s also opposed efforts to restrict the trade in chimpanzees and other primates as exotic pets (H.R. 80), to prevent sick and injured downer cows from getting into the food supply (H.AMDT.474/H.R.339), to include pets and service animals in disaster planning (H.R. 3858/P.L. 109-308), to stop the slaughter of American horses for human consumption overseas (H.R. 503), to stop imports of sport-hunted trophies of threatened polar bears (H.AMDT.1008/H.R. 4089), and to ratify an agreement between animal welfare groups and the egg industry to improve the housing systems for laying hens and to deal with a patchwork of varying state laws on the subject (AMDT.45/H.R.6083).

“Caring for animals is a basic test of one’s character, and if a man cannot find it within himself to help crack down on a barbaric activity like dogfighting, then he’s not serving his constituents' interests in Congress. Our nation needs people who will find common ground, not a rhetorical bomb-thrower like Steve King," added Amundson.

Media contact: Heather Sullivan, (301) 548-7778, hsullivan@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 (Oct. 29, 2012) -- The Humane Society Legislative Fund, the nation’s leading political advocacy organization for animal welfare, announces its endorsement of U.S. Rep. Jeff Denham, R-Calif., in the new 10th Congressional District of California. Citing his leadership on an egg industry reform bill, as well as other animal welfare reforms, the Humane Society Legislative Fund asks voters in the newly drawn 10th Congressional District of California to return him to Congress for a second term.

“Jeff Denham has helped build consensus between animal protection and egg industry organizations, and he is a co-author of the bill to increase space allotments for laying hens,” said Michael Markarian, president of the Humane Society Legislative Fund. This legislation comes in the wake of the passage of Proposition 2 in California in November 2008, which stipulated that laying hens be allowed to “stand up, lie down, turn around, and freely extend their limbs.” H.R. 3798 would extend some of the most critical Prop 2 standards to the entire nation, including the ban on barren battery cages, improving the treatment of hundreds of millions of egg-laying hens.

Additionally, Denham co-sponsored the Animal Fighting Spectator Prohibition Act, H.R. 2492, to close a loophole in the federal animal fighting law by making it a crime to attend or bring a child to a dogfight or cockfight. Denham supported similar legislation to increase penalties related to animal fighting during his tenure in the California State Legislature.

As a California State Senator, Jeff Denham:

• Voted for a bill to increase penalties for spectators at staged dogfighting exhibitions (AB 242)
• Voted for a bill to require judges to prohibit felons convicted of animal cruelty from owning animals for a period of time (AB 243)
• Voted for a bill to increase fines and possible jail time for those convicted of felony animal neglect to levels consistent with penalties for felony animal abuse (AB 2012)
• Voted for a bill that supported federal legislation to protect horses in America from slaughter for human consumption (SJR 22)
• Voted for a bill to establish minimum poaching fines/imprisonment penalties and allow for the suspension/revocation of hunting licenses and forfeiture of assets for repeat offenders (AB 708)
• Voted for a bill to allow property forfeiture of anyone found guilty of violating dogfighting laws with proceeds going to animal and law enforcement agencies (SB 318)

Media contact: Heather Sullivan, (301) 548-7778, hsullivan@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 (Oct. 19, 2012) -- The Humane Society Legislative Fund, the nation’s leading political advocacy organization for animal welfare, announces its endorsement of U.S. Rep. Jerry McNerney, D-Calif., for re-election in the 9th Congressional District of California. Citing his strong support of animal protection policies, the Humane Society Legislative Fund urges 9th District voters to support Jerry McNerney.

“Jerry McNerney has demonstrated a strong commitment to protecting animals from cruelty and abuse,” said Michael Markarian, president of the Humane Society Legislative Fund. “He has stood up for the values of kindness and compassion and we urge voters who care about the humane treatment of animals to reelect Jerry McNerney.”

McNerney has supported a number of federal policies to stop animal cruelty and abuse. Among his efforts, McNerney has:

• Co-sponsored the Egg Products Inspection Act Amendments of 2012, H.R. 3798, to extend some Prop 2 standards (to ban barren battery cages) to the entire nation, improving treatment for hundreds of millions of egg-laying hens.
• Co-sponsored the Great Ape Protection and Cost Savings Act, H.R. 1513, to phase out the use of chimpanzees in invasive research, retire federally-owned chimpanzees to sanctuary, and save millions of taxpayer dollars
• Co-sponsored the Animal Fighting Spectator Prohibition Act, H.R. 2492, to close a loophole in the federal animal fighting law by making it a crime to attend or take a child to a dogfight or cockfight
• Co-sponsored the Puppy Uniform Protection and Safety (PUPS) Act, H.R. 835, to protect dogs and crack down on large-scale puppy mill abuses
• Co-sponsored legislation to ban commerce in videos showing the intentional torture of puppies, kittens and other live animals for the sexual titillation of viewers (H.R. 5092/P.L.111-294)
• Co-sponsored the Truth in Fur Labeling Act to require accurate labeling of all garments trimmed with animal fur so consumers are not deceived into believing the apparel is faux fur (H.R. 2480/P.L. 111-313)
• Co-sponsored the Animal Fighting Enforcement Prohibition Act, which was signed into law in 2007 and strengthened the penalties for illegal dogfighting and cockfighting, making it a felony to transport animals across state lines for these gruesome and barbaric fights  (H.R. 137/P.L. 110-22)
• Voted to protect threatened polar bears in the Arctic and prevent the import of sport-hunted polar bear trophies from Canada (H.AMDT.1008/H.R. 4089)
• Opposed a devastating “extinction rider” that would have weakened the Endangered Species Act by preventing the listing of imperiled species and designation of critical habitat (H.AMDT.735/H.R.2584)
• Voted to save millions of taxpayer dollars by reducing the use of toxic poisons and other inhumane methods of killing predators as a subsidy for private livestock ranchers. (H.AMDT.471/H.R. 2112)
• Voted for the Captive Primate Safety Act to prohibit the interstate commerce in chimpanzees and other primates for the exotic pet trade, which poses a danger to animal welfare and to public health and safety (H.R. 80)
• Voted to fund conservation programs for imperiled crane populations in the U.S. and around the world (H.R. 388) and conservation programs that protect rare dog and cat species such as jaguars, leopards, cheetahs, and African wild dogs (H.R. 411)
• Supported efforts to provide adequate funding for the enforcement of the Animal Welfare Act, Horse Protection Act, Humane Methods of Slaughter Act, and federal animal fighting law, as well as for programs to address the needs of animals in disasters and to ease a shortage of veterinarians in rural and inner-city areas and USDA positions through student loan forgiveness.

Media contact: Pepper Van Tassell, (240) 751-0232, pvantassell@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.

25 Sheriffs and Police Departments in Iowa’s Fourth District Support Bill to Ban Bringing Children to Dogfights, Which King Opposes

WASHINGTON (Oct. 19, 2012) -- The Humane Society Legislative Fund, the nation’s leading political advocacy group for animal welfare, has launched its fourth TV ad in the Des Moines, Sioux City and Rochester/Mason City media markets opposing Steve King’s reelection to Congress. The new ad includes video footage of dogfighting, and tells voters that King’s opposition to a bill that would ban bringing children to dogfights is out of step with other members of Iowa’s congressional delegation and law enforcement groups.

The narrator tells viewers: “Dogfighting, it’s cruel, vicious—so why would Steve King vote against a ban on bringing children to dogfights? Twenty-five sheriffs and police departments in the Fourth District support the ban. Democrats and Republicans, including Chuck Grassley and Tom Latham, came together to support the ban. Just not King. He’s the only Iowa lawmaker to oppose the federal ban on bringing children to dogfights. Steve King—too extreme for Iowa.”

King has led the fight in Congress to block legislation to crack down on the barbaric practices of dogfighting and cockfighting, and he has a history of opposing other efforts to crack down on animal fighting and other forms of animal cruelty. During consideration of the 2012 Farm Bill, King led an unsuccessful effort to defeat an amendment to make it a crime for an adult to attend or to bring a child to a dogfight or cockfight. Despite King’s efforts, the amendment passed by a vote of 26-19.

Other Republican members of Iowa’s congressional delegation support the legislation: Rep. Tom Latham is a co-sponsor of H.R. 2492, the Animal Fighting Spectator Prohibition Act, which the Farm Bill amendment was based on, and Sen. Chuck Grassley voted in favor of a similar Farm Bill amendment which passed the U.S. Senate by a vote of 88-11.

Additionally, 25 law enforcement agencies in Iowa’s 4th Congressional District have endorsed H.R. 2492/S. 1947, the Animal Fighting Spectator Prohibition Act, to crack down on violence and criminal activity. Nationwide, the bill has been endorsed by the Fraternal Order of Police, the International Association of Chiefs of Police, the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association, and more than 280 law enforcement agencies. A three-year study by the Chicago Police Department found that 70 percent of animal offenders had also been arrested for other felonies, including domestic and aggravated battery, illegal drug trafficking, and sex crimes.

“Steve King is out of step with Iowa values, with members of his own caucus, and with men and women of law enforcement who are working to protect our communities from violence and criminal activity,” said Dane Waters, political director for the Humane Society Legislative Fund. “King stands virtually alone in opposing this anti-crime and anti-cruelty legislation, and his colleagues know that if our nation is to root out dogfighting and cockfighting, we need to have strong laws to combat it.”

Media contact: Heather Sullivan, (240) 477-2251, hsullivan@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 (Oct. 19, 2012) -- The Humane Society Legislative Fund, the nation’s leading political advocacy organization for animal welfare, announces its endorsement of U.S. Rep. Pat Meehan, R-Pa., for re-election in the 7th  Congressional District of Pennsylvania. Citing his strong support of animal protection policies, the Humane Society Legislative Fund urges 7th District voters to support Meehan.

“Pat Meehan has demonstrated a strong commitment to protecting animals from cruelty and abuse,” said Michael Markarian, president of the Humane Society Legislative Fund. “He is standing up for the values of kindness and compassion, and we urge voters who care about the humane treatment of animals to support Pat Meehan.”

Meehan has supported a number of federal policies to stop animal cruelty and abuse. Among his efforts, Meehan has:

• Co-sponsored the Animal Fighting Spectator Prohibition Act, H.R. 2492, to close a loophole in the federal animal fighting law by making it a crime to attend or bring a child to a dogfight or cockfight
• Co-sponsored the Puppy Uniform Protection and Safety (PUPS) Act, H.R. 835, to protect dogs and crack down on large-scale puppy mill abuses
• Co-sponsored the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act, H.R. 2966, to prohibit the long-distance transport (including export) of American horses for slaughter for human consumption in other countries where horse meat is considered a delicacy
• Co-sponsored the Interstate Horseracing Improvement Act, H.R. 1733, to prohibit the use of performance-enhancing drugs in the horseracing industry
• Voted to save millions of taxpayer dollars by reducing the use of toxic poisons, steel-jawed leghold traps, aerial gunning, and other inhumane methods of killing predators as a subsidy for private livestock ranchers (H.AMDT.471/H.R.2112)
• Opposed a devastating “extinction rider” that would have weakened the Endangered Species Act by preventing the listing of imperiled species and designation of critical habitat (H.R.2584)

Media contact: Heather Sullivan, (240) 477-2251, hsullivan@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 (Oct. 15, 2012) -- The Humane Society Legislative Fund, the nation’s leading political advocacy organization for animal welfare, announces its endorsement of U.S. Rep. Tom Marino, R-Penn., for re-election in the 10th Congressional District of Pennsylvania. Citing his strong support of animal protection policies, the Humane Society Legislative Fund urges 10th District voters to support Tom Marino.

“Tom Marino has been a leader in working to strengthen our nation’s laws against illegal animal fighting and other forms of cruelty and abuse,” said Michael Markarian, president of the Humane Society Legislative Fund. “He is standing up for the values of kindness and compassion, and we urge voters who care about the humane treatment of animals to reelect Tom Marino.”

Rep. Marino is the lead sponsor of the Animal Fighting Spectator Prohibition Act, H.R. 2492, which would close a loophole in the federal animal fighting law by making it a crime to attend or take a child to a dogfight or cockfight. His bill has attracted 226 co-sponsors in the House of Representatives and has been endorsed by the Fraternal Order of Police, the International Association of Chiefs of Police, the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association, and more than 280 law enforcement agencies across the country.

Forty-nine states, including Pennsylvania, already have penalties for animal fighting spectators. But there is a loophole in the federal animal fighting law that does not yet address this problem. Spectators are willing accomplices who finance animal fighting operations through their admission fees and gambling wagers, and provide cover to animal fighters who blend into the crowd during a law enforcement raid. Marino’s bill would give federal law enforcement agencies the tools they need to crack down on the entire cast of characters involved in animal fighting.

Additionally, Rep. Marino has also:

• Co-sponsored the Great Ape Protection and Cost Savings Act, H.R. 1513, to phase out the use of chimpanzees in invasive research, retire federally-owned chimpanzees to sanctuary, and save millions of taxpayer dollars
• Co-sponsored the Puppy Uniform Protection and Safety (PUPS) Act, H.R. 835, to protect dogs and crack down on large-scale puppy mill abuses
• Supported efforts to provide adequate funding for the enforcement of the Animal Welfare Act, Horse Protection Act, Humane Methods of Slaughter Act, and federal animal fighting law, as well as for programs to address the needs of animals in disasters and to ease a shortage of veterinarians in rural and inner-city areas and USDA positions through student loan forgiveness.

Media contacts:
Heather Sullivan, (301) 548-7778, hsullivan@hslf.org
Anna West, (301) 258-1518, awest@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.