[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 54 (Wednesday, March 28, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E655]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          ANIMAL FIGHTING PROHIBITION ENFORCEMENT ACT OF 2007

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                        HON. CAROLYN B. MALONEY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, March 26, 2007

  Mrs. MALONEY of New York. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support 
of H.R. 137, the Animal Fighting Prohibition Enforcement Act of 2007. I 
want to thank my colleagues Representative Gallegly and Representative 
Blumenauer for their hard work on this issue.
  This important legislation will make it illegal to transport an 
animal across State or international borders for the purpose of 
fighting, prohibits use of the mail system to promote animal fighting, 
and criminalizes interstate buying, selling, or transportation of 
knives or gaffs used for animal fighting.
  Animal fighting is a deplorable activity with a purely negative 
impact on society. In cockfights, when two birds fight with blades or 
gaffs attached to their feet, at least one, and sometimes both of the 
birds are killed. Dogs who are made to fight often sustain severe 
injuries such as deep wounds and broken bones. Subsequent to fights, 
many dogs die of blood loss, exhaustion, or shock. Fighting animals are 
usually subject to inhumane living conditions intended to make them 
more aggressive, sometimes denied adequate nutrition, and made to 
exercise until they are physically exhausted.
  In addition to the inexcusable harm inflicted on the animals, the 
fights also have negative effects on humans. Illegal gambling and drug 
trafficking are often closely tied to animal fighting operations. Also, 
animals bred to fight are abnormally aggressive, and pose a danger to 
the communities they live in if they were to get loose.
  I applaud the passage of this bill, which will end an inhumane 
practice that is an embarrassment to our country. I am proud that this 
democratic majority has made animal welfare a priority in the 110th 
Congress.

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