50 State Dogfighting laws

Thursday, 27 September 2007

Shortly after Michael Vick pleaded guilty to federal charges of operating a dogfighting ring last month, The Humane Society of the United States analyzed all 50 state dogfighting laws. What we found was shocking. Had Vick’s crimes been committed in the state of Idaho, he could have faced only a misdemeanor penalty with a minimum $100 fine and a maximum six-month jail sentence. And in Georgia, where Vick quarterbacked for the Atlanta Falcons, he’d be allowed to possess dogs for fighting and could even attend a dogfight -- and law enforcement could do absolutely nothing about it. Today, I invite you to sign the pledge to support stronger laws to protect dogs and other animals, and join tens of thousands of others who take action through the Humane Society Legislative Fund. Recognizing that dogs and other animals are defenseless without strong laws to protect them, we created the Humane Society Legislative Fund (HSLF) in 2004. The organization's goal? To get state and federal laws passed that protect animals from the worst abuses. HSLF also works to educate the public about animal protection issues and to support humane candidates for office. Over the next year, the Humane Society Legislative Fund will work to strengthen anti-dogfighting laws in the states with the weakest penalties -- states like Idaho, Wyoming, Georgia, Nevada, and Hawaii -- and also work to pass a federal law introduced in Congress that would make it a federal crime to engage in dogfighting, possess dogs for fighting, or be a spectator at a dogfight. Take the pledge today and tell us you'd like to receive alerts from HSLF. The organization will send you critical alerts giving you the chance to urge your legislators to support stronger laws against animal abuse. The Humane Society Legislative Fund will also tell you about other ways to help animals, such as by joining other advocates at our upcoming Halloween-themed “Party Animals” house parties. People have power over animals, and can use that power to show mercy or to exhibit cruelty. The animals need more than good intentions to protect them. They need the force of law. Please take the pledge to support stronger laws today. Thank you for all you do for animals.     Sincerely, Wayne Pacelle President & CEO The Humane Society of the United States

 

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