Target: David Osborne, Speaker of Kentucky House of Representatives
Goal: Back bill that would strengthen penalties against dog fighting and expand protections of animals.
Four dogs were seized from the residence of Kentucky’s Kareem Garner after authorities reportedly found them living in deplorable conditions. The circumstances are unfortunately very familiar to animal welfare advocates, but this case has another horrific twist. These canines were allegedly being bred to enter the brutal dog fighting world: a world in which investigators claim the suspect was “prolific.” The case against Garner had apparently been a year in the making.
In response to this and so many other cases, legal advocates in Kentucky are fighting for the FIGHT Act (or Fighting Inhumane Gambling and High-Risk Trafficking, Act). The proposed law would toughen penalties against animal fighting and expand the activities that could be prosecuted. For example, in some jurisdictions the suspect in the aforementioned case might not be subject to dog fighting charges since he was allegedly not actively involved in the dog fighting itself. Under the bill, convicted individuals could lose more than their freedom. They could also be ordered to surrender material possessions like cars or homes.
The bill, however, has a long way to go before it becomes law. Sign the petition below to support an effort that would take on one of the most pervasive and insidious crimes against animals.
PETITION LETTER:
Dear Speaker Osborne,
An estimated 40,000 individuals (at a minimum) are involved in dog fighting in the United States. Dog fighting operations have in essence become another facet of organized crime, often playing out in conjunction with other illicit activities. And a major arrest involving dog fighting just took place in Louisville.
Given this knowledge, why is the FIGHT Act receiving such limited support in the state legislature? This bill treats dog fighting for the aggravated crime that it has always been, and the bill should receive unbridled and bipartisan support. Please demonstrate to your constituents that you can work with your colleagues to introduce and pass an initiative that should unite all Kentuckians: the protection of vulnerable living beings.
Sincerely,
[Your Name Here]
Photo Credit: Barnabas Davoti
If these sick bastards need entertainment go and fight each other !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Law Enforcement do your job !!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The judges and courts need to give punishment to fit the cruelty these sick bastards put these INNOCENT DOGS thru. If punishment was given harsher these animal cruelty acts would STOP !!!!!!!!!!!!!
Give this bastard the full extent punishment possible !
Finally a bill with teeth in it! Excuse the Pin but this has been a long time coming. Indeed, these people, when caught, need to face the law but they are less afraid of the law than having their homes, cars, and bank accounts taken. That will be the piece of this bill which will be fought hardest but hopefully will endure! People like these vicious creeps live for blood and money. To deny them either will stop this horrible sickness called dog fighting. Sick men play this evil game, betting on which dog will win or lose. That’s bad enough but jerks do it but I hate the fact that the dogs suffer the most. I would like to see these men attacked by the dogs they trained to kill. That would be justice. The men would know the pain and remember it forever!
Why not an all out war on dog fighting? It would be an all out war on Organized Crime. This crime done in gangs, families, or other, has been a pain in the butt since the 1900’s. They are still here, making living things suffer for their greed. The law needs to stop them. There have been cases recently but still this crime persists. Close one down another pops up. Maybe if the criminals need to face tech same end this fighting would appear differently. Instead of dogs, use the criminals. Let them stand in a pit and fight to the death. People would pay to watch the brutality. Bets would be placed and at the end one winner and one would be dead. It’s fair! Save the dogs, use the men!