WashingtonWatch.com - S. 261, The Animal Fighting Prohibition Enforcement Act of 2007

Comment by Robin (August 15, 2008, 01:00:00)

Fri, 15 Aug 2008 00:00:00 EDT

Actually I don't think they took the bill far enough. What about the conditions where these cocks are raised and the neighbors who have to listen to all the noise from these roosters. Isn't that an infringememnt on my freedoms too! What are the laws against raising them around residential areas, especially the rural areas.....there should be laws on where these animals can be raised because of the noise level! They didn't take this bill far enough!...

Comment by BOB GOODE (March 26, 2008, 01:00:00)

Wed, 26 Mar 2008 00:00:00 EDT

#1 - there is a DIRECT CORRELATION between animal violence and domestic violence, including homicide. Verified fact. #2 - Domestic pets such as small dogs, cats and rabbits are stolen by dogfighters so that they can be used as bait. This is also a verified fact. #3 - Gandhi said,"The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated." Also a fact. #4 - Not one comment opposing this bill is grammatically correct. Either spelling, punctuation, or word misuse is abundant in EVERY SINGLE OPPOSING COMMENT. Also a fact. Sort of indicates the intelligence level of the opponents, don't you think? #5 - This Bill does not endorse the eating of grass, as was previously indicated by another intelligent commenter. Again, fact....

Comment by lynn (December 30, 2007, 01:00:00)

Sun, 30 Dec 2007 00:00:00 EST

What do they think will happen to all these cocks if they can't fight them . lol dinner!!!...

Comment by Clara (August 21, 2007, 01:00:00)

Tue, 21 Aug 2007 00:00:00 EDT

Wow, there are a LOT of ignorant men here - juts look at how they write. Anyway, I agree with the women here...this is NOT an inherent right given that we humnas have (I don't care if you are a veteran of war or not); it's inhumane and malicious and has NOTHING to do with your basic rights (what a ridiculous argument! ). If the only way to prevent you all from thinking that it is ok to fight animals is implementing a law, then I am ALL FOR IT. Given the ignorance that most of you are showing, it is clear that we need government intervention. I for one WOULD like my taxes to go towards opposing this cause. I suggest those of you who like the "sport" do something more constructive in life, like volunteering in your local community, read a book, take a class to occupy your time, or if you are really consumed by the adrenaline from fighting, put on some spandex and invite your friends for a fight party amongst yourselves....

Revision by webmaster (June 14, 2007, 01:00:00)

Thu, 14 Jun 2007 00:00:00 EDT

S. 261 would amend title 18, United States Code, to strengthen prohibitions against animal fighting.

Detailed Summary

Animal Fighting Prohibition Enforcement Act of 2007 - Amends the federal criminal code to make it unlawful to knowingly sponsor or exhibit an animal in an animal fighting venture if any animal in the venture was moved in interstate or foreign commerce.

Prohibits knowingly: (1) sponsoring or exhibiting a bird in a fighting venture in a state where it would not otherwise be a violation of the law if the person knew that any bird in the venture was knowingly bought, sold, delivered, transported, or received in interstate or foreign commerce for such purpose; (2) selling, buying, transporting, delivering, or receiving for purposes of transportation, in interstate or foreign commerce, any dog or other animal to participate in an animal fighting venture; (3) using the mails or any instrumentality of interstate commerce for commercial speech to promote an animal fighting venture, except as performed outside the limits of the states (with an exception for bird fights in states whose laws allow them); or (4) selling, buying, transporting, or delivering in interstate or foreign commerce a knife, gaff, or other sharp instrument for attachment to the leg of a bird for use in an animal fighting venture.

Imposes a fine and/or prison term of up to three years for violations. Repeals lesser penalties imposed by the Animal Welfare Act.

Status of the Legislation

Latest Major Action: 3/26/2007: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 87.

Points in Favor

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Points Against

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Revision by webmaster (June 14, 2007, 01:00:00)

Thu, 14 Jun 2007 00:00:00 EDT

S. 261 would amend title 18, United States Code, to strengthen prohibitions against animal fighting.

Detailed Summary

Imposes a fine and/or prison term of up to three years for violations. Repeals lesser penalties imposed by the Animal Welfare Act.

Status of the Legislation

Latest Major Action: 6/13/2007: Senate floor actions. Status: Indefinitely postponed by Senate by Unanimous Consent.

Points in Favor

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Points Against

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Status as of June 13, 2007

Wed, 13 Jun 2007 00:00:00 EDT

6/13/2007: Senate floor actions. Status: Indefinitely postponed by Senate by Unanimous Consent.

Comment by Lil Vic (May 14, 2007, 01:00:00)

Mon, 14 May 2007 00:00:00 EDT

Cockfighting does not compare with dog fighting. Every state in the US already has some form of dog fighting, animal cruelty, or cockfighting law on its books. In 2006 there were only 75 cases of illegal cockfighting compare this to the 14,062 cases of murder and homicide 25,528 case of forcible rape 114,616 cases of robbery 449,297 of aggravated assault 1,146,696 cases of theft and larceny 1,371,919 cases of DUI 129,128 offenses against children and family 900,000 children abused or neglected (one every 35 seconds!) 797,500 children reported missing Compare the cockfighting cases to the above statistics and you'll find state laws are doing a more than adequate job. This law is not needed nor is it wanted. In 2005 there were 2,193,798 prisoners in our prison system. Our law enforcement has enough to do without chasing chicken farmers. Our farmers do not belong in prison just so our government can feel good about stroking Wayne Pacelle's ego....

Comment by Tom (May 3, 2007, 01:00:00)

Thu, 03 May 2007 00:00:00 EDT

I think we should give two children guns and bet on which will shoot first....

Comment by Jason (April 19, 2007, 01:00:00)

Thu, 19 Apr 2007 00:00:00 EDT

Freedom???? We are losing it little by little everyday. Our country has thousands of other issues that are a lot more inportant, like Bin Laden killing us all! This bill is ignorant....

Comment by PJ Moore (April 19, 2007, 01:00:00)

Thu, 19 Apr 2007 00:00:00 EDT

ALL will BE 'felons', by walking in our own yard and step on an ant, if Bills as HR 137 continue. If you don't like Cockfighting than stay away, but don't take it away. The Humane Society can say anything..."possibility of avian flu"...and starts everyone into a panic! The problems NOT gambling, kids being around, or even drugs! ITS THE ANTIS for our rights... It was the Humane Society and their one-sided truth of facts. I SAY, CHICKENS HAVE THE RIGHT TO FIGHT! Rock out with your cock out!...as Badwater would say!.... thanks congress for taking away our rodeos, eggs, zoo, circus when you approved this BILL....

Comment by kybreeder (April 18, 2007, 01:00:00)

Wed, 18 Apr 2007 00:00:00 EDT

i think it is ridiculous that this bill has passed, everyday it seems we are getting our rights taken away,there should be a lawsuit against this bill, it is unconstitutional. Thank you ky breeder...

Comment by CB (April 15, 2007, 01:00:00)

Sun, 15 Apr 2007 00:00:00 EDT

We own our own company work every day and we raise fighting cocks no shame in it The people we are around that do the same are normal hard working people too. Trying to make ends meet. I always thought IF YOU DON'T KNOW THE TRUTH ABOUT SOMETHIN DON'T WORRY WITH IT YOU LIKE THE MALL I LIKE TO FIGHT!!!!!...

Comment by JB (April 13, 2007, 01:00:00)

Fri, 13 Apr 2007 00:00:00 EDT

I'm appalled by the comments about this bill. If watching a poor chicken fight to its death is your one enjoyment in life than I feel heartfully sorry for you. It is NOT natural let alone humane to put animals in these situations and to raise them to be overly aggressive....

Comment by PolloLoco (April 12, 2007, 01:00:00)

Thu, 12 Apr 2007 00:00:00 EDT

Yo Voto que No , OPPOSE S.231 and HR 137 these bills are agianst our CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS by voteing NO...

Comment by Korn (April 12, 2007, 01:00:00)

Thu, 12 Apr 2007 00:00:00 EDT

I think the animal rights activist need to put more time and effort into things that are hurting our Nation and people that are here to be free and enjoy life. If they would put half the time & effort into stopping the murder of innocent people, then they could put a bill in that we would all be for. Who the hell are these people anyway and are they Americans? I vote for the rights & liberties of people to be free....

Comment by BamaBreeder (April 12, 2007, 01:00:00)

Thu, 12 Apr 2007 00:00:00 EDT

What would George Washington say today to these animal rights activists? Would he tell them to get a life? I believe he would. We have fought everyone for all the freedoms we have in America, and now other Americans are trying to take certain rights away. They need to get a life and fight for something that really matters like the rights of humans to be treated better. It is a crying shame that you would get a smaller sentence and bond if you hit someone with your car, then you would if you are caught fighting a chicken. What gives?...

Comment by BamaBreeder (April 12, 2007, 01:00:00)

Thu, 12 Apr 2007 00:00:00 EDT

To Eliza: have you ever seen two gamecocks. If they can get to each other they will fight to kill with no knives, only natural spurs. They will peck each others heads until they can peck no more. You should be more concerned with the the crazy people in this world that harm humans than concerned with a chicken that does what is only natural instinct to it....

Comment by KBaby (April 12, 2007, 01:00:00)

Thu, 12 Apr 2007 00:00:00 EDT

What people DO NOT REALIZE is that chicken fighting and dog fighting are two different things. Let me point out that game roosters do not have to be given any medicine, drugs, or anything and can be put together and it's automatic instinct to them to fight. With dogs it is a completely different ball game. Also, why is the government so worried about chickens and dogs when there are far worse people in the country doing FAR WORSE things? In my opinion, SOME PEOPLE need to get their priorities straight... Everyone vote against this bill. It's probably the dumbest thing I've EVER heard of....

Comment by Kas (April 12, 2007, 01:00:00)

Thu, 12 Apr 2007 00:00:00 EDT

Well this bill sure shows where our politicians heads are. Chicken fighting has been a hobby for many men and women for years. Is it really fair to the pits that do not participate in drug use or gambling? I believe that people in this country need to be worrying about the gangs,increasing violence, abortions, etc. May I add that dogs are trained to fight and it is a gamecock's natural instinct to fight. In my opinion, gamecocks & dogs shouldn't even be put in the same catagory. Cocking is a hobby that a numerous amount of people really enjoy, and this bill should not hinder them from participating in something they truly love. I say no to this bill simply because I definetly do not think that it is fair or intelligent....

Comment by Charlie Meyer (April 11, 2007, 01:00:00)

Wed, 11 Apr 2007 00:00:00 EDT

This is not an 'animal rights' issue, it's an animal welfare and common decency issue. Animal fighting is a barbaric remnant of the past, and should be consigned to the dustbin of history, along with its' proponents and every politician who voted against this bill. Animal fighting participants belong in prison. Perhaps meaningful enforcement will remind the sickos that felons can't possess firearms. 'Freedom' and 'sport' my foot; animal fighting is just wrong! Enjoy prison, animal fighters....

Comment by Cocker (April 8, 2007, 01:00:00)

Sun, 08 Apr 2007 00:00:00 EDT

Guess what Eric? (and all the other prissy little pond scum like you) The one's of us who are hardcore cockers could CARE LESS what the oppressive branches of government think, or do in the end. We'll still be showing our fowl, no matter what type of oppressive, unconstitutional laws are passed. An there's not a da** thing high, brow, look down your nose, stick your nose in everyone else's business pudwack's like you Eric can do about it. Keep it in mind bub we'll still show 'em, and you can't stop us. LOL...

Comment by Jessica (April 7, 2007, 01:00:00)

Sat, 07 Apr 2007 00:00:00 EDT

There is no starting point on how this bill is wrong. If you take away chicken fighting you take away someone's whole life. It is also a hobbie that did at one time keep people out of trouble. These chickens are peoples pride and joy. They are given shelter, food, medical attention, love, and care. How is that cruel? If simply letting them do what they are born to do is cruel the every person is guilty of some sort of animal cruelty. People sould then not be able to own any type of animal. What about hunters and fishers? Are they cruel too? Fighting chickens go through less pain than a person partisipating in a physical sport. What about boxing, football, soccer, the olympics? Should we all just go ahead and give all animals the same rights as humans. Then they can work to make money for a living, drive a car, sit in front of a computer, found guilty of murder, human cruelty. These are just a few items for this topic. Why not fight chicken?...

Comment by Irishcutt (April 6, 2007, 01:00:00)

Fri, 06 Apr 2007 00:00:00 EDT

Who Kills more animals then the H$U$ or PETA???? But since they dont contribute to any animal welfare and are enjoying the money they take under false pretenses its up to the local animal shelters to kill them. Anytime an animal is taken in to a shelter it's an automatic death sentence if it isn't saved in 7 days!!! You can talk to these fanatics who want to kill our children by not allowing research to create life saving drugs and other researches that will save lives because they dont want a rat to be sacrificed. Id be willing to bet that it was ALF and other animal rights terrorists supporters that put the poison in the feed that is sweeping the country today.....

Comment by Eric (April 5, 2007, 01:00:00)

Thu, 05 Apr 2007 00:00:00 EDT

Thrilled to see this bill pass the House by such a wide margin (303 cosponsors after all). Should pass the Senate soon. Just because something is a tradition doesn't make it right!...