Press Release - Humane Society Legislative Fund Endorses U.S. Rep. Mike Fitzpatrick in Pennsylvania's 8th District Congressional Race

Humane Society Legislative Fund Endorses U.S. Rep. Mike Fitzpatrick in Pennsylvania's 8th District Congressional Race
Posted on 07-10-2006

WASHINGTON—Citing him as a leader on animal protection policy in the U.S. House of Representatives, the Humane Society Legislative Fund announced that it has endorsed U.S. Representative Mike Fitzpatrick in Pennsylvania's 8 th District congressional race.

"In order to pass humane laws, we need humane lawmakers like Representative Fitzpatrick," said Richard Patch, political director for the Humane Society Legislative Fund. "Voters in Pennsylvania's 8 th District who care about animal welfare should support his reelection."

In his two years in the U.S. House of Representatives, Mike Fitzpatrick has been a strong supporter of animal protection. He scored a perfect 100% on the Humane Society Legislative Fund's Humane Scorecard in 2005. Here are just of few of the actions that Representative Fitzpatrick has taken to help animals:

* Animal Fighting : He has co-sponsored legislation to strengthen the penalties for illegal dogfighting and cockfighting, making it a felony to transport animals across state lines for these gruesome and barbaric fights.
* Horse Slaughter : He has cast his vote five times to end the slaughter of tens of thousands of American horses for food exports to France, Belgium, and other countries. And he has co-sponsored the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act.
* Pets in Disasters : He has cast his vote in support of the Pets Evacuation and Transportation Standards (PETS) Act to require emergency planning for pets and service animals, keeping people and pets together during disasters.
* Downer Livestock : He has co-sponsored the Downed Animal Protection Act, to stop the sale of sick and injured farm animals who are dragged to slaughter with ropes, chains, bulldozers, and forklifts. These sick animals pose a greater risk of "mad cow disease" and other threats to our food supply.
* Puppy Mills : He has co-sponsored the Pet Animal Welfare Statute (PAWS) to crack down on abusive "puppy mills" that treat the dogs like they are production machines.
* Enforcement of Animal Welfare Laws : He has supported efforts to increase funding to improve enforcement of the Animal Welfare Act, Humane Methods of Slaughter Act, and federal animal fighting law.
* Shadowy Pet Dealers : He has co-sponsored legislation to stop unscrupulous "Class B" dealers from trafficking in stolen pets for animal research.

Humane Society Legislative Fund (HSLF) is a social welfare organization incorporated under section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code. 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 . Contributions or gifts to HSLF are not tax deductible. Your donation may be used for lobbying to pass laws to protect animals, as well as for political purposes, such as supporting or opposing candidates. HSLF does not accept contributions from business corporations or labor organizations. On the web at www.fund.org .

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