| In California, illegal cockfighting is claiming victims
beyond those killed in the fighting ring. More than three million
chickens and other birds, including birds at southern California
factory farms, have been ordered killed by federal and state authorities
in response to an outbreak of Exotic Newcastle Disease (END), a
highly contagious avian disease thought to have been introduced
into the area by California's huge illegal cockfighting industry.
The San Diego Tribune (2/22) reports that the workers at one factory
farming operation, the Ward Egg farm, put 30,000 "spent hens"
through a woodchipping machine, after their hands became tired from
wringing the chickens' necks. This method of killing was reportedly
authorized by a USDA consultant. Ironically, USDA is spending tax
dollars to compensate cockfighters for the "depopulation"
of their gamecocks, rewarding them generously for engaging in a
practice that is illegal under federal and state law.
It's time for the USDA to halt its outrageous payments to illegal
animal fighters and to start enforcing the federal anti-cockfighting
law. Had USDA been vigorously enforcing laws against animal fighting,
it is likely that END would have not become so widespread. In a
February 20 letter to USDA Secretary Ann Veneman, The HSUS urged
Veneman to not only implement stronger enforcement of anti-cockfighting
laws, but also to support new legislation to increase penalties
for violating the federal cockfighting law. (To read more on this
issue, see: http://www.hsus.org/ace/18433
)
WHAT YOU CAN DO:
1. Add your voice to those asking Secretary Veneman to immediately
take steps to ensure enforcement of federal cockfighting laws, and
to publicly endorse the Ensign-Allard-Cantwell (Senate) and Bartlett-Andrews
(House) legislation to increase federal penalties for animal fighting.
The Honorable Ann Veneman
Secretary of Agriculture
U.S. Department of Agriculture
1400 Independence Ave., SW
Washington, D.C. 20250
2. Contact the San Diego County District Attorney's office and ask
them to investigate and prosecute credible evidence of massive violations
of California's animal cruelty law (which prohibits subjecting any
animal to needless suffering or unnecessary cruelty) at the Ward
Egg Farm.
San Diego County DA Bonnie M. Dumanis
330 W. Broadway, Suite 1300
San Diego, CA 92101
ph: 619-531-4040
fax: 619-237-1351
publicinformation@sdcda.org
United Poultry Concerns, Inc.
PO Box 150
Machipongo, VA 23405-0150
757-678-7875
FAX: 757-678-5070
www.upc-online.org |
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