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 Reflecting on the year is what we do when approaching the holidays. It's our way of doing a gut check in preparation for how we'll make the new year better than the present. As it relates to animal welfare we need to give tremendous credit to the 110th Congress, and the hundreds of thousands of animal advocates who influence Congress, for making major legislative improvements for all animals ... domestic, farm and otherwise. There was critical legislation that occurred in 2007 that raised tremendous awareness, interest and momentum on the issue of animal welfare, so much so improvements continued into 2008 with an amended Farm Bill. Let's review. Plenty has been written about the "Vicktory Dogs" - the 22 Pit Bulls (American Staffordshire Terriers - mostly) owned by Michael Vick, former NFL quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons, and used in the dog-fighting complex at his home. What's important about this horrific account is that shortly before the investigation against Vick, Congress passed the Animal Fighting Prohibition Enforcement Act in April 2007, changing the ineffective misdemeanor penalties to felony-level penalties of up to three years in jail for animal transport for fighting purposes. Because of that investigation, Congress further strengthened federal law via the Farm Bill boosting the maximum penalty for animal fighting offenses to five years jail time, and making any animal fighting affecting interstate or foreign commerce a federal crime. Great strides continue. Congress took this year to make significant improved measures to The 2008 Farm Bill. With the U.S. Department of Agriculture overseeing the enforcement of the Animal Welfare Act (AWA), the massive multi-year Farm Bill presented an opportunity to improve our nation's animal protection policies and toughen the penalties for those who engage in cruelty and abuse. Approved this past May after Congress overrode President Bush's veto, the Farm Bill included important measures to stop the import of puppies for commercial sale from foreign puppy mills and strengthen the federal law against animal fighting, as well as to increase penalties for those who violate the Animal Welfare Act. Although unfortunate that it takes terrible acts of animal abuse to raise the conscientious of the public and our legal system, nonetheless, it is being raised. The goal for '09 is to get ahead of the cruel behavior with nationwide public communication, adherence to stiff penalties and education. So, for me, this is what I'm grateful for in 2008 for all animals. Please make time to review the AWA and 2008 Farm Bill; much within each will give you hope.
Nancy Pingitore invests her free time in pet advocacy, including volunteering for Basset Hound Rescue of Georgia (bhrg.org); founder of The Pet Parade, a community event that has raised thousands of dollars for Georgia-based shelters over the past five years; and founder of a fledgling startup, www.getdigger.com, dedicated to keeping a real-time location on your pet. Send your questions to Nancy@smartnow.com. |
