Action Alert

Ban Cockfighting Bills: Your Letters are Needed ASAP!

Both the U.S. Senate and the U.S. House of Representatives have introduced strong bills to ban the interstate transport of live birds for cockfighting. Senator Wayne Allard of Colorado reintroduced S. 345, and Representative Collin Peterson of Minnesota reintroduced a companion bill under a new number: HB 1155. At the end of April, S. 345 had 41 cosponsors and HB 1155 had 146 cosponsors. A ban on interstate transport of birds intended for cockfighting will aid law enforcement and curb what Senator John Ensign of Nevada calls “a cruel, sick and barbaric sport.” Senator Richard Lugar of Indiana, Chairman of the Senate Agriculture Committee, supports the legislation.

Cockfight
Photo by Linda Howard
What Can I Do?

Find out whether your State Senators are cosponsors of S. 345 and whether your House Representative is a cosponsors of HB 1155. If so, thank them for their support. If your Senator(s) or House Representative is not yet a cosponsor, urge him/her to cosponsor the bill to ban the interstate transport of birds intended for cockfighting. In addition, call or write to Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott of Mississippi and politely urge him to support S. 345 and allow the Senate to vote on this bill immediately. Senator Lott is blocking passage of S. 345, which has overwhelming Senate support. His office phone number is 202-224-6253.

Contact:
Your House Representative:

The Honorable __________
U.S. House of Representatives
Washington, DC 20515

Dear Representative __________

Contact:
Your Two Senators:

The Honorable __________
U.S. Senate
Washington, DC 20510

Dear Senator __________

To learn who your House Representative and Senators are, and what district you are in if you don't know, call the 24-hour Capitol Switchboard: 202-224-3121, or go to www.hsus.org or www.fund.org.