For Immediate Release: July 31, 2007

Sutton Introduces Legislation in Response to Horrific Dog Fighting Incident Involving NFL Star Michael Vick

Congresswoman Betty Sutton and Senator John Kerry introduce legislation to strengthen federal animal welfare legislation

Washington, D.C. - On Friday, Congresswoman Betty Sutton introduced H.R. 3219, the Dog Fighting Prohibition Act, legislation to strengthen federal animal welfare statutes.  Sutton introduced the bill a week after NFL star Michael Vick was indicted by a federal grand jury on charges of sponsoring a dog fighting operation. Senator John F. Kerry of Massachusetts introduced identical legislation last week in the Senate. 

"I was horrified to learn the details of Michael Vick's dog fighting ring, where people tortured defenseless animals, trained them to be vicious fighters and forced them to maim or kill other dogs," Sutton said.  "It is sad that a professional athlete who is supposed to be a role model for our children allegedly participated in such cruel activities.  But this unfortunate incident has revealed a loophole in our laws that often allow perpetrators to escape responsibility by claiming they don't own the animals involved or by asserting that the animals were not transferred across state lines."  

"My legislation will close these loopholes and make our federal animal welfare laws more comprehensive by ensuring that anybody who knowingly sponsors, exhibits an animal in or views a dog-fighting venture can be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.  My legislation also ensures that it is illegal to buy, sell, possess, train, transport or deliver any animal specifically for the purpose of participating in a dog-fighting venture," Sutton said.  

"By cracking down on all those involved in dog fighting, from trainers, to dealers to spectators, this legislation will strangle what has unfortunately become a lucrative gambling business.  Anyone who knowingly participates in dog fighting is equally culpable and must be held responsible," Sutton said.   "This issue goes far beyond the indictment of Michael Vick.  Dog fights still occur in our communities because loopholes exist which allow participants to duck responsibility. This legislation will bring that to an end," Sutton said.  

Although the Michael Vick indictment has dominated the headlines, evidence suggests tens of thousands of Americans are involved in dog fights across the country.  In March, a federal grand jury in Dayton, Ohio, indicted nine people on 45 counts for their roles in the operation of an extensive, multi-state dog-fighting ring.  Ohio Attorney General Marc Dann helped lead the 14-month investigation which culminated in a sting operation in Moraine, Ohio. Agents simultaneously executed eight federal and state search warrants in Dayton, Cincinnati and Trotwood.  

"This barbaric bloodsport is the underbelly of a dark criminal enterprise that leads to even more violent crime, drug use, gambling, and more," Dann said.  "The fact that dog fighting has become a part of mainstream consciousness, and as I've seen with my own eyes, often plays out in front of children, is even more abhorrent.  I applaud Congresswoman Sutton for leading this effort with Senator Kerry, to punish those who are involved in these fights and eliminate this despicable activity once and for all."

The legislation will also delete provisions in current law requiring prosecutors to prove that animals crossed state lines to fight and increase the penalty for dog fighting from a maximum three-year prison sentence to a five-year prison sentence.  The law clarifies that a dog fighting venture involves more than one animal and specifically exempts animals used by hunters to hunt another animal.

The bill is supported by the Humane Society of the United States, the nationwide organization which works to promote the protection of animals.

"The Humane Society of the United States has led the fight against the cruel and degrading activity for years, and today welcomes the introduction of federal legislation designed to crack down on both dogfighters and the spectators who are drawn to these blood spectacles," said Wayne Pacelle, President and CEO of the Humane Society.  "This House bill further increases federal penalties for dogfighting and empowers prosecutors to go after these criminals and those who pay to watch them - and that's just what Americans want."

The Dog Fighting Prohibition Act has nine original co-sponsors - Rep. Bruce Braley (IA-01), Rep. Phil Hare (IL-17), Rep. Alcee Hastings (FL-23), Rep. Mazie Hirono (HI-02), Rep. Jay Inslee (WA-01), Rep. Carol Shea-Porter (NH-01), Rep. Lynn Woolsey (CA-06), and Rep. Al Wynn (MD-04).  The legislation has been referred to both the Committee on Agriculture and the Committee on the Judiciary, of which Sutton is a member.

Contact: Ian Mandel at 202-225-3401