[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 64 (Wednesday, May 5, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E857-E858]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              STOP THE INHUMANE TREATMENT OF DOGS AND CATS

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. GERALD D. KLECZKA

                              of wisconsin

                    in the house of representatives

                         Wednesday, May 5, 1999

  Mr. KLECZKA. Mr. Speaker, on April 29, 1999 I introduced the Dog and 
Cat Protection Act. I was appalled to learn about the use of dog and 
cat fur on coats, toys, and other merchandise as profiled in a recent 
segment of ``Dateline NBC''. Immediately thereafter, I began drafting 
legislation to end this abusive practice. While crafting this measure, 
I contacted the Humane Society of the United States for their input. As 
a result of these efforts, I introduced H.R. 1622, the Dog and Cat 
Protection Act.
  An estimated 2,000,000 dogs and cats are slaughtered and sold 
annually as part of the international fur trade. Many of these animals

[[Page E858]]

are raised in deplorable conditions. Unfortunately, there are no 
federal laws to prohibit the importation, manufacture, transport or 
sale of any product made with dog and cat fur. The only provision in 
law to regulate the importation of products made with cat and dog fur 
is the Fur Products Labeling Act (FPLA). The FPLA and its regulations 
simply require that any product with a value of more than $150 contain 
a label informing a consumer that it contains animal fur. Any product 
worth less than $150 is exempted from the labeling requirement.
  My legislation would impose a ban on all products entering the United 
States made with cat and dog fur. In order to prevent a foreign 
importer from establishing operations in the United States, H.R. 1622 
would also prevent the sale, manufacture, transport, or advertisement 
of any product made domestically with cat and dog fur.
  Furthermore, H.R. 1622 would give additional authority to the Customs 
Service to inspect products entering the United States to ensure they 
do not contain cat and dog fur. Violators of the ban would be subject 
to both civil and criminal penalties. Furthermore, persons found to be 
in violation of the ban would face the prospect of being permanently 
prohibited from selling any fur product in the United States.
  The Dog and Cat Protection Act also amends the Fur Products Labeling 
Act to require all fur products entering the United States--regardless 
of their value--to contain a label showing their true content. This 
means those persons who try to mislabel products in order to get around 
the ban contained in my legislation would face additional penalties 
under the Fur Products Labeling Act. The additional labeling 
requirements will also help the Customs Service in their enforcement 
efforts.
  Mr. Speaker, it is time to put an end to the inhumane treatment of 
dogs and cats once and for all. I urge my colleagues to become 
cosponsors of H.R. 1622.

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