Kerry to propose anti-dog fighting legislation

[alonewiththemoon]

from johnkerry.com:

WASHINGTON D.C. – Sen. John Kerry said today [7/20] that he will introduce legislation aimed at eliminating dogfighting, which is illegal but is by many accounts still far too common. Kerry said he hopes to go after the cruel sport by making it illegal to transmit images of dog fighting, to run websites that cater to dog fighting or to own or train dogs for the purpose of dog fighting.

In addition, Kerry today sent a strongly worded letter to NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, requesting that he immediately suspend Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick, who was indicted this week on dogfighting charges. Kerry said the extensive role Vick played in the dogfighting ring at his Virginia farm and the sickening descriptions of Vick’s tourture-like treatment of animals argues for an immediate suspension and removal from the playing field. Kerry said the NFL must demonstrate that it does not tolerate animal cruelty in any form and noted that professional football, as the nation’s most popular team sport, bears a unique responsibility to address this charge of illegal and inhumane behavior.

I am very pleased that he is doing this, and all the more pleased because it looks like this legislation will not call for breed-specific bans, which I oppose on general principle.  Rather, as it says above, it will be illegal to own or train dogs for the purpose of fighting.  I wrote Kerry to tell him thanks for taking the initiative on this and expressing my hope that breed-specific bans will not be considered.  If you want to write him, you can do so at his website.