WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Bill Delahunt today urged his colleagues to act swiftly to end the cruel and inhumane practice of staged animal fighting.

“These fights are barbaric, disgusting and unacceptable in a civilized society,” said Delahunt. ”Aside from the inhumane treatment these animals receive at the hands of their handlers, the public health risk, especially to children, is too great to ignore.”

His remarks were offered during a hearing of the Commercial and Administrative Law Subcommittee that considered HR 817, the Animal Fighting and Prohibition Enforcement Act.  Delahunt is a cosponsor of the bill that would establish felony-level jail time of up to two years for violators of the law.  Currently, every state, including Massachusetts, has some form of legislation banning animal fighting sports, including cock and dog fights. 

Often times, dogs and roosters are drugged to make them hyper-aggressive, outfitted with spikes and other devices to inflict maximum damage, then pitted against each other in spectacle fights – often to the death, and all too frequently with children watching.  Correlation between illegal animal fighting and gambling problems is high.  In some cases, family pets are stolen to become sparring partners.

The issue of animal fighting, especially, cock fighting, has taken on a new, public health significance with the looming threat of Avian flu.  International and interstate transport of birds for cock-fighting has contributed to the spread of the “bird” flu in Asia.  Several children have died as a result of their exposure to the infected birds.  The youngest victim was four years old.

The full Judiciary Committee is expected to discuss the legislation soon.  HR 817 has attracted the support of 227 of Delahunt’s House colleagues, more than enough to pass the bill into law.

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