suki
10-14-2006, 10:51 PM
Passage of animal fighting bill is urged
By Patrick Anderson, Enterprise correspondent
Supporters of a bill giving police additional powers to control animal fighting are hoping lawmakers will pass the new law before the end of the year.
While current law allows officials to seize animals used in organized fighting, the new bill would allow police to seize dogs and roosters they suspect are being bred or have been bred to produce fighting animals.
The legislation is being reviewed by the House Judiciary Committee. The committee must approve the bill before it can receive a vote.
Scott Giocoppo, an assistant director of the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, which helped draft the bill, said it would significantly reduce animal fighting by curbing the trade of animals bred to fight.
“Right now there's a big fight over the paraphernalia and puppies,” Giocoppo said. “The legislation would mean police would not have to prove that animals had already been involved in fighting.”
Giocoppo said the bill would have an impact on dog fighting and an even greater impact on cock fighting, as it would allow police to seize eggs from lines of fighting roosters.
The bill's chief sponsor, Rep. Louis Kafka, D-Stoughton, said he was not aware of any public opposition to the bill, but was concerned someone was secretly trying to block it.
Brockton animal control officer Thomas DeChellis said his office has received periodic reports of people orchestrating dog fights, but was not aware of an organized animal fighting operation.
http://enterprise.southofboston.com/articles/2006/10/11/news/news/news20.txt
look at this closely, guys. It's based on "suspicion and assumption", and if it passes here, YOUR city and town could be next. Heads up, if you have a neighbor who "may not "like" you! :rolleyes: Sounds like anything is possible!.....
STATE REPRESENTATIVE
LOUIS L. KAFKA
Telephone: 617-722-2305
Facsimile: 617-722-2598
E-Mail: Rep.LouisKafka@hou.state.ma.us
any/all letters, e-mails, calls, etc are hugely appreciated guys. Thank you for any support.
By Patrick Anderson, Enterprise correspondent
Supporters of a bill giving police additional powers to control animal fighting are hoping lawmakers will pass the new law before the end of the year.
While current law allows officials to seize animals used in organized fighting, the new bill would allow police to seize dogs and roosters they suspect are being bred or have been bred to produce fighting animals.
The legislation is being reviewed by the House Judiciary Committee. The committee must approve the bill before it can receive a vote.
Scott Giocoppo, an assistant director of the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, which helped draft the bill, said it would significantly reduce animal fighting by curbing the trade of animals bred to fight.
“Right now there's a big fight over the paraphernalia and puppies,” Giocoppo said. “The legislation would mean police would not have to prove that animals had already been involved in fighting.”
Giocoppo said the bill would have an impact on dog fighting and an even greater impact on cock fighting, as it would allow police to seize eggs from lines of fighting roosters.
The bill's chief sponsor, Rep. Louis Kafka, D-Stoughton, said he was not aware of any public opposition to the bill, but was concerned someone was secretly trying to block it.
Brockton animal control officer Thomas DeChellis said his office has received periodic reports of people orchestrating dog fights, but was not aware of an organized animal fighting operation.
http://enterprise.southofboston.com/articles/2006/10/11/news/news/news20.txt
look at this closely, guys. It's based on "suspicion and assumption", and if it passes here, YOUR city and town could be next. Heads up, if you have a neighbor who "may not "like" you! :rolleyes: Sounds like anything is possible!.....
STATE REPRESENTATIVE
LOUIS L. KAFKA
Telephone: 617-722-2305
Facsimile: 617-722-2598
E-Mail: Rep.LouisKafka@hou.state.ma.us
any/all letters, e-mails, calls, etc are hugely appreciated guys. Thank you for any support.