House urged to pass dogfighting bill
The arrests of a couple accused of running a dogfighting operation in Chester County has led Pennsylvania congressmen to renew calls for tougher laws.
Rep. Jim Gerlach, of West Pikeland, and Rep. Pat Meehan, of Delaware County, both Republicans, urged passage of a bill that would make it a federal offense to attend an organized animal fight.
“As former prosecutors we know how crucial it is for law enforcement to have all of the tools necessary to deprive the organizers of these horrific events from receiving the financial rewards they need to continue the criminal enterprises,” Meehan and Marino said in a joint statement.
“With passage of this bill, we can give federal prosecutors more ability to crack down on animal fighting and the criminal culture that typically surrounds animal fighting events.”
The bill, sponsored by Rep. Tom Marino, a Pennsylvania Republican, and Sen. Richard Blumenthal, a Connecticut Democrat, was passed by the Senate last week, but remains in the House Agriculture Committee.
Despite bipartisan support, the bill could die if no action is taken before the end of the year.
Called the Animal Fighting Spectator Prohibition Act, the bill would also institute harsher penalties for bringing minors to animal fights.
Shane Santiago and his wife Laura Acampora, both 33, were arrested last week for allegedly operating a dogfighting ring out of the home they shared with five young children in West Brandywine.
Officials accused the couple of contributing to the death of at least 10 dogs and the maiming of many more that were forced to fight in an arena in the basement of the couple’s home. Two of the dogs were found in Chester County, left for dead at the side of the road. One survived.
Santiago and Acampora are charged with over 30 counts of animal cruelty and numerous other offenses. Both remain in Chester County Prison, according to the Pottstown Mercury.
(Photo: One of the dogs seized from the West Brandywine dogfighting operation)
Posted by jwoestendiek December 18th, 2012 under Muttsblog.
Tags: animal cruelty, animal fighting, arena, basement, bill, chester county, congress, couple, dog fighting, dogfighting, dogfights, family, house, jim gerlach, laura acompora, law, legislation, pass, passage, pat meehan, pennsylvania, senate, shane santiago, spectator prohibition act
Comments
Comment from George Berlinski
Time December 18, 2012 at 3:49 pm
Please pass this bill and save innocent dog’s lives.
Comment from deborah meile
Time December 18, 2012 at 3:54 pm
This needs to be stopped now it is cruel and inhumane! We need tougher laws so ignorant people think twice!!!
Comment from D. Crowe
Time December 18, 2012 at 3:59 pm
PLEASE DONT LET PEOPLE GET AWAY WITH HARMING ANIMALS and profiting from doing so!!! And if the bring a child to such a thing…the penalties should be worse!!
Comment from NICOLA REAY
Time December 18, 2012 at 4:03 pm
would you let you’re children rip each other apart liked this,why are you looking the other way while this is happening
Comment from Lisa Sims
Time December 18, 2012 at 4:03 pm
Anyone caught performing these disgusting acts on our furry friends needs to do hard time! They should also be made to work with and look after dogs waiting to be adopted etc. while in prison. I’m at a loss for words trying to comprehend how a these slimeballs can be involved in anything so inhumane…If they can do this to these poor helpless babies, what could they be capable of doing to a human???
Comment from robert
Time December 18, 2012 at 4:11 pm
I find it amazing that we are still dealing with this issue and that there are still many places without meaningful laws against dog fighting.
Comment from Lisbeth Ismael
Time December 18, 2012 at 4:12 pm
Something needs to be done in our country regarding these inhumane and horrible crimes against dogs! Please help pass the bill!
Comment from Judith Pannebaker
Time December 18, 2012 at 5:52 pm
Fiscal cliff or not, I find it ridiculous that this important piece of legislation would be allowed to languish – and perhaps die – in the Agriculture Committee. However, the website http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/112/hr2492 gives the bill only a 53 percent chance of getting past committee and just a 22 percent chance of being enacted. What a travesty!
Comment from linda martinelli
Time December 18, 2012 at 6:47 pm
please stop this! cruel and inhumane
Comment from cindy bickley
Time December 18, 2012 at 7:44 pm
Ban dog-fighting forever!
Comment from Diana vecchio
Time December 18, 2012 at 8:28 pm
Animals deserve respect and dog fighting is no way to show it. End this cruel sport immediately, stop allowing people to take part in violence. Those that allow this type of sport to exist are creating monsters!!!!!! These people are vicious and dangerous to the public and to our future youth!
Comment from Roxanne
Time December 18, 2012 at 10:47 pm
Please end this horrific practice. How? Fines… LARGE monetary fines, and prison terms with bubba and his roomie, meat.
Comment from Sandy Hayes
Time December 19, 2012 at 12:19 am
Ban this disgusting behavior.
Just remember…God created these precious babies and what goes around comes around!!
Comment from antonietta degirolamo
Time December 19, 2012 at 5:20 pm
Ban this disgusting behavior.
Just remember…God created these precious babies and what goes around comes around!!
Comment from Jennifer Lightle
Time December 19, 2012 at 6:18 pm
Let us show these innocent souls love and kindness………
Comment from Tina
Time December 19, 2012 at 11:12 pm
This CRIME, TORTURE, and ABUSE MUST STOP, GLOBALLY, and THE LOSERS involved get JAIL TIME, LARGE FINES, and NEVER OWN an animal again. THEY MAKE ME SICK.
Comment from Stan
Time December 20, 2012 at 11:05 am
I think everyone agrees that this is a sensless act of violence,but the real issue is that the court system and prisons are so overwelmed with drug cases, murderers and other “crap” that goes on in this country that this will not get top priority. They will always put poeple before animals. Its just the cold hard truth.
Comment from Kimberley George
Time December 18, 2012 at 1:41 pm
This crime should be stopped immediately and anyone caught doing so afterwards should face major punishment!! Our canine friends are truly friends who deserve the best life possible, they put themselves at risk for us anytime even when we don’t realize we are in danger!!