WASHINGTON (Jan. 31, 2012) -- The Humane Society Legislative Fund, the nation’s leading political advocacy organization for animal welfare, announced its endorsement of U.S. Rep. Roscoe Bartlett  for Maryland’s newly drawn 6th Congressional District. Citing his effective leadership and impact on animal protection policies, the Humane Society Legislative Fund urges voters to support Bartlett.

“Roscoe Bartlett has demonstrated strong leadership on important animal protection policies, such as cracking down on dogfighting and cockfighting, and phasing out the costly and wasteful use of chimpanzees in invasive research,” said Michael Markarian, president of the Humane Society Legislative Fund. “We urge voters in the 6th District who care about the humane treatment of animals to support Roscoe Bartlett.”

Bartlett has been a champion for animal protection in Congress, and has helped to advance new policies to stop animal cruelty and abuse. Among his efforts, Bartlett has:

• Sponsored the Great Ape Protection and Cost Savings Act, H.R. 1513, to phase out use of chimpanzees in invasive research, retire the approximately 500 federally-owned chimpanzees to sanctuary, and save tens of millions of tax dollars from warehousing chimps in federally-funded laboratories.
• Led the fight to end the use of live monkeys in chemical warfare training by the U.S. Army by replacing those animals with non-animal alternatives.
• Co-sponsored the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act, H.R. 2966, to prohibit the long-distance transport (including export) of horses for slaughter for human consumption in other countries where horse meat is eaten.
• Co-sponsored the Puppy Uniform Protection and Safety (PUPS) Act, H.R. 835, to crack down on abusive puppy mills in the United States, where breeding dogs are often stacked in wire cages for years to produce litter after litter, without exercise, veterinary care, socialization or human companionship.
• Sponsored the Animal Fighting Prohibition Enforcement Act, which passed in 2007 and established felony-level penalties for interstate dogfighting and cockfighting activities; and co-sponsored current legislation, the Animal Fighting Spectator Prohibition Act, H.R. 2492, to further strengthen the law by prohibiting attendance and taking a minor to an animal fight.
• Co-sponsored the Animal Crush Video Prohibition Act, which passed in 2010 and bans commerce in videos showing the intentional torture of puppies, kittens and other live animals for the sexual titillation of viewers (P.L. 111-294).
• Co-sponsored the Veterans Dog Training Therapy Act, H.R. 198, which passed the House in 2011, to create a pilot program for veterans suffering from post-deployment mental health conditions to train therapy dogs.

Media contacts: Pepper Van Tassell, (301) 258-1417, 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.

Scorecard evaluates elected officials on work for animals for the 2011 state legislative session

AUSTIN (Jan. 20, 2012) -- The Humane Society Legislative Fund and the Texas Humane Legislation Network is releasing its Texas State Humane Scorecard for the 2011 state legislative session today. The scorecard provides a snapshot of Texas state lawmakers’ records on animal welfare policies. Lawmakers are scored on floor votes on bills addressing such issues as puppy mills, cockfighting, pets in protective orders, aerial gunning of coyotes and feral hogs, and roadside sale of animals.

"The Texas State Humane Scorecard provides an easy way for constituents to assess how their lawmakers acted on animal protection issues, and it helps chart the progress of our public policy work on behalf of animals in the state," said Sara Amundson, executive director of The Humane Society Legislative Fund. "In 2011, Texas lawmakers passed bills to upgrade the state’s anti-cockfighting law and to pass humane breeding standards for dogs and cats. The anti-cruelty laws of a state are a reflection of our basic values and attitudes toward animals, and this collection of bills is a measurable step forward for the state of Texas."

Cile Holloway, president of the Texas Humane Legislation Network, said, “This was a banner year for animals in Texas. It was one of the best sessions for animals ever, demonstrating that this cause is emerging as an important issue for Texas lawmakers.”

The Humane Society Legislative Fund and Texas Humane Legislation  Network tracked nine bills during the session: HB 716, which allows the aerial gunning of feral hogs and coyotes by landowners; HB 963, which ensures that animals seized from persons charged with animal cruelty are not held in shelters for a prolonged period pending appeals for reimbursement; HB 1043, which prohibits a person from attending a cockfight, owning or training a rooster to fight, owning or selling the knives, gaffs or other weapons used in the fight, and allowing one’s property to be used in a fight; HB 1103, which allows a judge to order a person convicted of animal cruelty to attend a responsible pet owner course; HB 1451, which requires licensing and inspection of dog and cat breeders and sets minimum care standards; HB 1768, which allows certain counties to adopt ordinances to regulate the sale of animals (other than farm animals); HB 2471, which limits civil liability of a person who renders aid to an injured or distressed animal from civil action; SB 279, which requires the inclusion of companion animals in protective orders; and SB 1301, which requires manufacturers of antifreeze and engine coolant to add a bittering agent to the product to render it unpalatable to both children and animals.

Seven of the nine bills (HB 716, HB 963, HB 1043, HB 1103, HB 1451, HB 2471, and SB 279) were signed into law in 2011. With the passage of these laws, Texas is now ranked No. 25 out of 51 on The Humane Society of the United States’ “Humane State Ranking” of animal protection laws, a huge jump from last year when it was ranked 36.

Highlights from the 2011 Texas Humane Scorecard include:

• Of the 181 members of the legislature scored, 19 received perfect 100 percent scores--indicating a vote in support of animal protection for all nine scored bills (five senators and 14 representatives).
• Three members received more than 100 percent, reflecting their support of animal protection in all nine bills, as well as primary leadership on at least one of the scored bills. These members are: Sen. Eddie Lucio Jr., D-Brownsville, Reps. Eddie Lucio III, D-San Benito, and Eddie Rodriguez, D-Austin.
• The average score for the representatives was 79 and the average score for the senators was 84.
• No senator scored less than 51 percent and seven representatives scored less than 51 percent.

The Texas State Humane Scorecard is available online at hslf.org/humanescorecard.

Media contacts: Pepper Van Tassell (HSLF), (240) 751-0232, pvantassell@hslf.org

Cile Holloway (THLN), (214) 537-3531, cile@thln.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.

WASHINGTON (Jan. 13, 2012) -- The Humane Society Legislative Fund, the nation’s leading political advocacy organization for animal welfare, announced its endorsement of U.S. Rep. John Conyers, D-Mich., for the 13th Congressional District primary in Michigan. Citing his effective leadership and career-long advocacy on animal protection policies, the Humane Society Legislative Fund urges primary voters to support Conyers.

“John Conyers has demonstrated strong leadership on important policies to protect horses, end animal fighting and stamp out videos torturing animals,” said Michael Markarian, president of the Humane Society Legislative Fund. “He has stood up for the values of kindness and compassion and we urge Michigan primary voters to support Conyers.”

Conyers has been a leading champion for animal protection while serving in the U.S. House of Representatives, and has helped enact several new federal policies to stop animal cruelty and abuse. During his career in Congress, he has:

• Received the 2008 Humane Representative of the Year.
• Sponsored the Prevention of Equine Cruelty Act 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.
• Sponsored the Animal Cruelty Statistics Act to require the collection of statistics on animal cruelty to prioritize law enforcement resources for addressing animal abuse.
• As chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, led the passage of the Animal Crush Video Prohibition Act, which passed in 2010 and banned commerce in videos showing the intentional torture of puppies, kittens and other live animals for the sexual titillation of viewers.
• As chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, led the passage of 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.
• Co-sponsored the Puppy Uniform Protection and Safety (PUPS) Act, H.R. 835, to crack down on abusive “puppy mills” in the United States, where breeding dogs are often stacked in wire cages for years to produce litter after litter, without exercise, veterinary care, socialization or human companionship.
• Co-sponsored the Great Ape Protection and Cost Savings Act, H.R. 1513, to phase out use of chimpanzees in invasive research, retire the approximately 500 federally-owned chimpanzees to sanctuary, and save tens of millions of tax dollars from warehousing chimps in federally-funded laboratories.
• Co-sponsored the Animal Fighting Spectator Prohibition Act, H.R. 2492, to establish misdemeanor penalties for knowingly attending an organized dogfight or cockfight, and felony penalties for taking a minor to such a fight.
• Supported a statewide ballot measure in 2006 that restored Michigan’s century-long tradition of protecting mourning doves from target shooting.

Media contacts: 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.

WASHINGTON (Jan. 13, 2012) -- The Humane Society Legislative Fund, the nation’s leading political advocacy organization for animal welfare, announced its endorsement of Oregon State Senator Suzanne Bonamici, D-Washington County, for the First Congressional District special election in Oregon. Citing her effective leadership and support of animal protection policies, the Humane Society Legislative Fund urges voters to support Bonamici.

“Suzanne Bonamici has demonstrated strong leadership on important bills to protect all animals, including wildlife, companion animals and farm animals,” said Sara Amundson, executive director of the Humane Society Legislative Fund. “She has stood up for the values of kindness and compassion and we urge Oregon voters to support Suzanne Bonamici for Congress.”

Senator Bonamici has been a leading champion for animal protection while serving in the Oregon legislature, helping to enact a number of new state laws passed between 2007 and 2011 to stop animal cruelty and abuse. Among her efforts, Bonamici has:

• Led the effort to pass legislation cracking down on abusive “puppy mills” by setting animal welfare standards for dog breeders and providing protections to consumers who purchase puppies directly from breeders.
• Led the effort to protect the will of Oregon voters by preserving the successful ballot initiative banning the cruel practices of bear baiting and trophy hunting of bears and cougars with radio-collared hounds.
• Voted to ban the unregulated private ownership and possession of dangerous wild animals.
• Voted to criminalize horse abandonment.
• Voted to ban the possession, sale or transfer of shark fins, to crack down on the cruel practice of shark finning.
• Voted to ban the cruel and unsporting practice of Internet hunting.
• Voted to strengthen prohibitions on animal fighting.
• Voted to include companion animals in domestic violence protective orders.
• Voted to provide for the care of pets in disasters.
• Voted to provide cross-reporting of animal abuse among emergency and law enforcement agencies.
• Voted to phase out the use of cruel gestation crates and provide more space for breeding sows in industrial factory farms.

Media contacts: Pepper Van Tassell, (301) 258-1417, 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.

WASHINGTON (Jan. 9, 2012) -- The Humane Society Legislative Fund, the nation’s leading political advocacy organization for animal welfare, announced its endorsement of Assemblyman Jared Huffman, D-San Rafael, in the Democratic primary for California’s newly created Second Congressional District. Citing his leadership and support of animal protection policies in the California legislature, the Humane Society Legislative Fund urges primary voters to support Huffman for the open congressional seat.

“Jared Huffman has been an active champion for sensible animal welfare policies in California, and has been leading many of the critical fights to protect pets, wildlife, and farm animals,” said Sara Amundson, executive director of the Humane Society Legislative Fund. “We urge California primary voters who care about humane issues to support Jared Huffman for Congress.”

Huffman has been a champion and strong supporter for animal protection in the California State Assembly. During his terms, he:

• Co-authored legislation signed into law in 2011, which bans the cruel trade in shark fins. Finning is an abhorrent practice that involves slicing off the fins of a shark and discarding the animal at sea to drown or bleed to death, and has led to declines by as much as 90 percent in some shark populations during recent decades.
• Authored legislation signed into law in 2010, working with animal welfare groups and the California egg industry, requiring that all eggs sold in California comply with modest animal welfare and food safety standards consistent with Prop 2, a ballot measure overwhelmingly approved by statewide voters.
• Authored legislation to increase penalties for poaching California’s wildlife.
• Authored legislation to address animal welfare concerns associated with genetically modified organisms.
• Voted to require microchipping dogs and cats when adopted from or reclaimed by animal control.
• Voted to increase penalties for roadside sales of animals in parking lots, carnivals or on streets and highways.
• Voted to increase penalties for attending a dogfight.
• Voted to prohibit the painful and unnecessary practice of cutting the tails off cows.
• Voted to allow property forfeiture of anyone found guilty of violating dogfighting laws with proceeds going to animal and law enforcement agencies.
• Voted to allow the City of San Diego to designate Casa Beach as a marine mammal sanctuary to protect seals and their habitat.
• Scored consistently high on the HSLF Humane Scorecard for the California legislature.

Media contacts: 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.

WASHINGTON (Jan. 9, 2012) -- The Humane Society Legislative Fund, the nation’s leading political advocacy organization for animal welfare, announced its endorsement of Los Angeles City Councilman Tony Cardenas for California’s newly created 29th Congressional District. Citing his leadership and support of animal protection policies on the Los Angeles City Council and in the California State Assembly, the Humane Society Legislative Fund urges voters to support Cardenas.

“Tony Cardenas has been an active champion for sensible animal welfare policies in Los Angeles and in California, and has stood up for the values of kindness and compassion,” said Sara Amundson, executive director of the Humane Society Legislative Fund. “We urge California voters who care about humane issues to support Tony Cardenas for Congress.”

Cardenas has been a champion and strong supporter for animal protection during his service on the Los Angeles City Council and as a member of the California Assembly. During his public service at the city and state level, he:

• Created Los Angeles’ first Animal Cruelty Task Force which led to the arrests of dozens of animal abusers, including the conviction of a known gang member for abusing a family pet. The gang member was subsequently sentenced to three years in prison for the crime.
• Authored the Los Angeles spay/neuter ordinance to reduce the number of homeless animals, decrease euthanasia of healthy cats and dogs in city shelters and save taxpayer dollars by reducing the city’s pet overpopulation burden.
• Strongly supported city legislation cracking down on puppy mills where breeding dogs are often stacked in wire cages for years to produce litter after litter without exercise, veterinary care, socialization or human companionship.
• Supported city legislation prohibiting the private ownership of roosters to one per household, as a way to crack down on illegal cockfighting in the city.
• Voted to enact humane standards in markets selling live animals.
• Voted to upgrade license and sales requirements for trapping of fur-bearing animals.
• Voted to require the addition of a bittering agent to sweet-tasting antifreeze to prevent the poisoning of children, pets and endangered wildlife.
• Voted to require the use of cutting-edge alternatives to traditional animal tests for cosmetics, household products and industrial chemicals.

Media contact: Pepper Van Tassell, (301) 548-7793, 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.

WASHINGTON (Jan. 5, 2012) -- The Humane Society Legislative Fund, the nation’s leading political advocacy organization for animal welfare, announced its endorsement of former U.S. Rep. Chris Shays, R-Conn., in Connecticut’s U.S. Senate Republican primary. Citing his effective leadership and impact on animal protection policies, the Humane Society Legislative Fund urges Republican primary voters to support Shays.

“The humane community had perhaps no greater friend in Congress than Chris Shays,” said Michael Markarian, president of the Humane Society Legislative Fund. “He led the fights on important bills to protect pets, wildlife and farm animals, and stood up for the values of kindness and compassion. We urge Connecticut primary voters who care about the humane treatment of animals to support Chris Shays.”

Shays was a leading champion for animal protection while serving in the U.S. House of Representatives, and has helped to enact a number of new federal policies to stop animal cruelty and abuse. Among his efforts, Shays has:

• Received the 2006 Humane Legislator of the Year Award.
• Served as co-chair of the Congressional Friends of Animals Caucus.
• Consistently scored a perfect 100% on HSLF’s Humane Scorecard.
• Sponsored the Pets Evacuation and Transportation Standards (PETS) Act, which was signed into law in 2006 and now requires that pets and service animals are included in disaster plans.
• Sponsored the Farm Animal Stewardship Purchasing Act, which would require that any producers who sell meat, eggs, and dairy products to the federal government must meet a basic set of animal welfare standards.
• Sponsored the Sportsmanship in Hunting Act which would halt the interstate traffic of exotic mammals for the purpose of shooting them within fenced enclosures for trophies at “canned hunts.”
• 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.
• Co-sponsored the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act to end the slaughter of tens of thousands of American horses for food exports to France, Belgium, and other countries.
• Co-sponsored the Puppy Protection Act and Pet Animal Welfare Statute to crack down on abusive “puppy mills” that treat the dogs like they are production machines.
• Co-sponsored the Polar Bear Protection Act and voted to stop wealthy American trophy hunters from shooting threatened polar bears in the Arctic for their heads and hides.
• Co-sponsored the Downed Animal and Food Safety Protection Act to protect our food supply from “mad cow disease” by stopping the abuse of sick and injured cattle.

Media contacts: 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.

National Animal Welfare Groups Call for Accelerated Action by President Obama to Crack Down on Puppy Mills

WASHINGTON (Dec. 30, 2011) -- The Humane Society of the United States, the Humane Society Legislative Fund and the ASPCA® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®) have announced that the White House has responded to a petition submitted by the organizations in November asking President Obama to crack down on puppy mills. The official response to the online petition, which was signed by more than 32,000 people, outlines the United States Department of Agriculture’s plans to improve oversight of commercial dog breeders by issuing rules to regulate those breeders who sell over the Internet. The animal welfare groups were encouraged by the news, but urged the White House to accelerate the time frame, and adopt the puppy mill rule without further delay.

The White House response also highlighted the USDA’s commitment to increase enforcement under the Animal Welfare Act and referenced the agency’s recent proposed rule to prevent young, and often sick, puppies from being imported into the United States.

“The Humane Society of the United States thanks the more than 32,000 animal lovers across the country who signed this petition and brought the issue of puppy mills directly to the President’s attention,” said Melanie Kahn, senior director of the Puppy Mills Campaign for The HSUS. “The changes outlined in President Obama’s response are a positive step toward closing the loophole that has allowed thousands of puppies to suffer for so long in unlicensed mass-breeding facilities. Much work needs to be done, since the draft rule has not yet been proposed, and we urge the Obama Administration to complete the process to crack down on abusive puppy mills and to allow no further delays in this process.”

The petition was submitted in October 2011 by The HSUS, The HSLF and the ASPCA® asking President Obama to help close a loophole in the Animal Welfare Act regulations that permits large-scale, commercial breeders who sell puppies online and directly to the public to escape basic oversight and minimal animal care standards. The petition quickly gathered more than 10,600 signatures in its first 30 days – doubling the threshold needed to assure an official response. It eventually became one of the most popular petitions on the White House website, and was the top active petition for several weeks in November.

“We applaud the USDA for taking this step,” said Sara Amundson, executive director of the Humane Society Legislative Fund, “For too long, the USDA has avoided regulating and inspecting commercial breeders selling puppies over the Internet to unsuspecting consumers.”

“The existing regulatory loophole currently allows many commercial breeders to operate without a license and without any inspection—meaning they are not accountable to anyone for their breeding and care standards,” added Cori Menkin, senior director of the puppy mills campaign at the ASPCA. “The ASPCA is encouraged that the USDA has committed to help end the suffering of millions of breeding dogs and protect consumers by finally closing this loophole.”

On December 7, The “Today” show aired The HSUS’ expose of Purebred Breeders LLC, thought to be the nation's largest online seller of puppies. The investigation highlighted the connection between Purebred Breeders and inhumane commercial-breeding facilities known as puppy mills, where dogs are often confined in small, stacked wire cages, with no exercise, veterinary care, socialization, or human companionship. HSUS attorneys, in partnership with Florida firm Leopold Law, have also filed suit in Florida state court on behalf of HSUS members and other consumers who received sick or dying dogs from Purebred Breeders. Anyone who has bought a sick dog online is urged to fill out The HSUS’ official complaint form.

Media contacts: Jordan Crump, (301) 548-7793, jcrump@humanesociety.org
Rebecca Goldrick, (646) 291-4582, rebecca.goldrick@aspca.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.

WASHINGTON (Dec. 13, 2011) -- The Humane Society Legislative Fund, the nation’s leading political advocacy organization for animal welfare, announced its endorsement of U.S. Rep. Gary Peters, D-Mich., in the Democratic primary for Michigan’s newly created 14th Congressional District. Citing his effective leadership and impact on animal protection policies, the Humane Society Legislative Fund urges primary voters to support Peters.

“Gary Peters has been an effective leader in protecting animals and fighting against cruelty throughout his career in the state legislature and in Congress,” said Michael Markarian, president of the Humane Society Legislative Fund. “He is working to protect pets, wildlife, and farm animals, and standing up for the values of kindness and compassion. We urge voters in the 14th District who care about the humane treatment of animals to support Gary Peters.”

Peters has been a leading champion for animal protection in Congress, and has helped to enact a number of new federal policies to stop animal cruelty and abuse. Among his efforts, Peters has:

• Sponsored the Prevention of Interstate Commerce in Animal Crush Videos Act, , which passed in 2010 and bans commerce in videos showing the intentional torture of puppies, kittens and other live animals for the sexual titillation of viewers (P.L. 111-294).
• Led a bipartisan effort urging the U.S. Army to stop poisoning live vervet monkeys with overdoses of toxic chemicals at Aberdeen Proving Ground. The Army announced that the monkeys will be replaced with humane, non-animal alternatives in future chemical warfare training.
• Sponsored an amendment to the Agriculture Appropriations Bill to save millions of tax dollars and stop the federal government from using toxic poisons, steel-jawed leghold traps, aerial gunning and other inhumane methods of killing wildlife as a subsidy for private livestock ranchers.
• Co-sponsored the Puppy Uniform Protection and Safety (PUPS) Act, H.R. 835, to crack down on abusive “puppy mills” in the United States, where breeding dogs are often stacked in wire cages for years to produce litter after litter, without exercise, veterinary care, socialization or human companionship.
• Co-sponsored the Great Ape Protection and Cost Savings Act, H.R. 1513, to phase out use of chimpanzees in invasive research, retire the approximately 500 federally-owned chimpanzees to sanctuary, and save tens of millions of tax dollars from warehousing chimps in federally-funded laboratories.
• Co-sponsored the Animal Fighting Spectator Prohibition Act, H.R. 2492, to establish misdemeanor penalties for knowingly attending an organized dogfight or cockfight, and felony penalties for bringing a minor to such a fight.
• Co-sponsored the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act, H.R. 2966, to prohibit the long-distance transport (including export) of horses for slaughter for human consumption in other countries where horse meat is considered a delicacy.

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.

HSLF Applauds Senators Blumenthal, Kirk, Cantwell, and Brown for Introducing this Anti-Crime and Anti-Cruelty Legislation

(Dec. 6, 2011) -- The Humane Society of the United States and Humane Society Legislative Fund applaud U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., Mark Kirk, R-Ill., Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., and Scott Brown, R-Mass., for today introducing the bipartisan Animal Fighting Spectator Prohibition Act of 2011, which would prohibit knowing attendance at organized animal fights and impose additional penalties for causing a minor to attend such events.

Over the past decade, Congress has strengthened the penalties for and closed major loopholes in the federal law addressing dogfighting, cockfighting, and other forms of animal fighting, but has left the issue of spectators unaddressed. This legislation will correct this remaining gap in federal law to allow for a more comprehensive crackdown on this barbaric activity. A House version of the bill, H.R. 2492, was introduced in July by U.S. Reps. Tom Marino, R-Pa., and Betty Sutton, D-Ohio, and now has 129 cosponsors.

“Spectators are participants and accomplices who enable the crime of animal fighting, make the criminal enterprise profitable through their admission fees and gambling wagers, and help conceal handlers and organizers who try to blend into the crowd when a bust occurs,” said Wayne Pacelle, president and CEO of The HSUS. “We are grateful to Senators Blumenthal, Kirk, Cantwell and Brown for their leadership on this important anti-crime and anti-cruelty legislation. We call on Congress to swiftly pass it and give law enforcement the tools they need to crack down on the entire cast of characters involved in animal fighting.”

It is illegal in 49 states to be a knowing spectator at an animal fight. A majority – 28 states – impose felony-level penalties on spectators. This bill imposes federal misdemeanor penalties for knowing attendance and felony penalties for causing a minor to attend. State and federal law enforcement agencies often work together to enforce animal fighting laws, and the federal law will complement the state laws on animal fighting spectators.

“Animal fighting is a cruel and inhumane criminal enterprise perpetuated by the spectators who fund it,” said Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn. “This bill seeks to extinguish the horrific treatment of animals and risks to public safety associated with animal fighting. Exposing innocent children to animal fighting as spectators unconscionably continues the vicious cycle of cruelty and abuse.”

"By making it a crime to knowingly attend an animal fight we deny event organizers the revenue that funds future events," said Sen. Mark Kirk, R-Ill. "This legislation is consistent with state animal fighting laws and closes the final loophole to ending the inhumane practice of animal fighting. Just last month in Illinois, a Cook County judge found a South Holland resident guilty of running a dog fighting ring following a 2007 raid on a compound that rescued 37 dogs and found materials consistent with dog fighting. This bipartisan legislation would prevent large dog fighting rings like this from operating."

“Enacting tough penalties is an important step to end the cruel practice of animal fighting,” said Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash. “We’ve made great progress already in disrupting animal fighting by making it a federal crime to transport animals for fighting across state lines. This bill would build on that success by giving law enforcement new tools to crack down on those who attend and participate in illegal animal fighting.”

“I am proud to help lead a bipartisan effort which will give law enforcement and prosecutors additional tools to combat animal cruelty,” said Sen. Scott Brown, R-Mass. “Animal fighting events are barbaric and cesspools of gang and other criminal activity.”

The law would not affect “innocent bystanders” or reach to situations where two animals fight without provocation by animal fighting organizers. Because organized animal fighting is a federal crime and illegal in all 50 states, this activity is highly clandestine and spectators don’t just accidentally happen upon a fight – they seek out the criminal activity at secret locations, often need passwords to enter, and pay admission fees for the opportunity to watch and gamble on the gruesome show – facts that a prosecutor might use as evidence to prove that a defendant knowingly attended.

Facts:

• Spectators pay hundreds or thousands of dollars in admission fees and gambling bets, generating the bulk of the revenue for this illegal enterprise. The fights would not occur without the crowd betting on the outcome and enjoying the bloodletting.
• Often spectators are themselves participants in animal fights, waiting their turn at a typical organized animal fight, with several rounds during an event or derby. When police raid an animal fight, it is extremely difficult to differentiate between spectators and participants who were going to fight their dog or bird in the next match.
• Animal fighting is also closely associated with other criminal activities such as gangs, narcotics, illegal weapons possession, public corruption and various violent crimes. 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.
• The Animal Fighting Spectator Prohibition Act of 2011 has been endorsed by 89 law enforcement agencies from 32 states.

Media contact: Katie Jarl, (301) 258-1483, kjarl@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.