Legislation

Animal Welfare Legislation – 113th Congress

Animal Fighting Spectator Prohibition Act – H.R. 366 / S. 666
Would set penalties for knowingly attending an organized animal fighting event and for bringing a minor to an animal fight. Organized animal fighting is a federal crime and is illegal in all 50 states. However, the issue of spectators at these events has not been fully addressed on the federal level.  This legislation would discourage individuals from enabling animal fights through entry fees and illegal wagers and ensures that organizers cannot easily hide in the crowd during law enforcement raids.

Big Cats and Public Safety Protection Act – H.R. 1998
Would prohibit private possession and breeding of big cats (lions, tigers, panthers, and cheetahs) except at highly-qualified facilities, like accredited zoos, where they can be properly cared for and restrained.  The measure would also require any persons who currently possess big cats to register those animals with the USDA.

Corolla Wild Horses Protection Act – H.R. 126
Would direct the Secretary of the Interior to craft a new herd management plan with the Corolla Wild Horse Fund, Currituck County, and the State of North Carolina to provide for the management of free-roaming wild horses in and around the Currituck National Wildlife Refuge. This measure is similar to a bill to protect the wild horses of Shackleford Banks in the Cape Lookout National Seashore.  That 1998 legislation has provided a successful statutory framework for management of the Shackleford horses.

Egg Products Inspection Act Amendments of 2013 – H.R. 1731 / S. 820
Would ratify an agreement between the egg industry and animal welfare groups to phase in improved standards of housing and treatment for the 300 million egg-laying hens in the United States.

Gas chamber use in animal shelters – H. Res. 208

Expresses Congressional opposition to the use of gases (carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, nitrogen, nitrous oxide, argon, etc.)  to euthanize shelter animals.  The measure urges support of state laws that would require the use of the safer and more humane injection method.

Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act – H.R. 2012 / S. 973

Would provide the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) with the authority to promulgate and enforce anti-doping standards in horse races that offer simulcast wagering.  USADA, a nongovernmental organization, is the official anti-doping agency for the United States Olympic team and has worked with professional sports leagues to eradicate performance-enhancing drugs.

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