OFFICIALS LEGISLATION INTEREST GROUPS PUBLIC STATEMENTS COMMITTEES VETOES

Support For Animal Fighting Prohibition Enforcement Act

Date: Feb. 16, 2006
Location: Washington, DC
Issues: Criminal Justice


SUPPORT FOR ANIMAL FIGHTING PROHIBITION ENFORCEMENT ACT -- (Extensions of Remarks - February 17, 2006)

SPEECH OF
HON. ELTON GALLEGLY
OF CALIFORNIA
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2006

* Mr. GALLEGLY. Mr Speaker, I rise to express my support for H.R. 817, the Animal Fighting Prohibition Enforcement Act. More than 150 local police and sheriff's departments have requested this legislation and I am pleased that the committee is considering it.

* A few years ago, Congress enacted legislation to tighten Federal law and close some loopholes that allowed the barbaric practices of animal fighting to thrive nationwide, in spite of bans in virtually every State.

* But Congress didn't finish the job. We left in place weak penalties that have proven ineffective. Misdemeanor penalties simply don't provide a meaningful deterrent. Those involved in animal fighting ventures--where thousands of dollars typically change hands in the associated gambling activity--consider misdemeanor penalties a ``slap on the wrist'' or merely a ``cost of doing business.'' Moreover, we've heard from U.S. Attorneys that they are reluctant to pursue animal fighting cases with just a misdemeanor penalty.

* In recent years, we have seen a marked rise in the frequency of animal fighting arrests in communities across the country. Local police and sheriffs are increasingly concerned about animal fighting, not only because of the animal cruelty involved, but also because of the other crimes that often go hand-in-hand, including illegal gambling, drug traffic, and acts of human violence.

* In addition, there are concerns cockfighters spread diseases that jeopardize poultry flocks and even public health. We in California experienced this first-hand, when cockfighters spread exotic Newcastle disease, which was so devastating to many of our poultry producers in 2002 and 2003. That outbreak cost U.S. taxpayers ``nearly $200 million to eradicate, and cost the U.S. poultry industry many millions more in lost export markets,'' according to Agriculture Secretary Ann Veneman.

* It is time Congress finishes the job and helps State and local law enforcement officials who have requested stronger Federal laws to rid animal fighting from communities that do not want it.

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