Passage and enactment of the Animal Fighting Prohibition Enforcement Act (Public Law No: 110-22)—Endorsed by the National Federation of Humane Societies with letter to President Bush urging signing. Signed into law on May 3, 2007. Upgraded penalties for violations of the federal anti-animal fighting law and made it a felony to move fighting animals in interstate or foreign commerce, and it created a new federal crime of interstate or foreign commerce in cockfighting implements.
Federal Anti-Dog Fighting Legislation—In the aftermath of the indictment of Michael Vick for illegal dog fighting activities, legislation has been introduced in both chambers to strengthen federal laws against dog fighting. Legislation introduced by Senator John Kerry (D-MA), S. 1880, and Rep. Betty Sutton (D-OH), H.R. 3219, would increase maximum jail time for violations of the dog fighting prohibitions from three to five years, would ban dog fighting whether or not state lines were crossed, and would make it a crime to be a spectator at a dogfight. Legislation introduced by Rep. Elton Gallegly (R-CA), H.R. 3327, includes those same elements, but also adds a citizen suit provision to allow certain humane organizations to initiate private rights of action against illegal dog fighting activities. NFHS endorsing all three bills.
Class B Dealers and Other Animal Welfare Act Amendments—In July, the House approved its version of the Farm bill and it included an amendment to prohibit research facilities from purchasing dogs or cats from random source Class B animal dealers, to ban the use of live animals in medical sales demos, and to increase fines for Animal Welfare Act violations. The NFHS recommends support for including this provision in the Senate Farm bill and its ultimate adoption in the final Farm bill. The amendment approved by the House mirrored the provisions in two bills—the Pet Safety and Protection Act, H.R. 1280, introduced by Rep. Mike Doyle (D-PA), and the Animal Welfare Accountability Improvement Act, H.R. 2193, introduced by Rep. Steve Israel (D-NY).
Charitable Remainder Pet Trust Act—This measure, H.R. 2491, assigned to the House Ways and Means Committee and introduced by Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR), allows for the creation of charitable pet trusts under the federal tax code. The NFHS endorses this legislation.
Puppy mills imports—It is anticipated that Senator Richard Durbin (D-IL) will offer an amendment to the Senate Farm bill to ban the import of dogs from foreign-based puppy mills. If the Senate approves the amendment, it would be an item considered in the conference committee on the Farm bill. The NFHS endorses this amendment.
The Legislative Initiatives Committee also discussed the idea of supporting model state legislation, and intends to examine a number of ideas and to bring them to the full board for consideration.
