I’m reposting information about KIRO-TV’s investigative report on downed animals, and Farm Sanctuary’s information about federal legislation on the same topic. This is an important issue that “vegetarians & humanitarians” alike should care about. Please take a look at it, if you’re new to this site.

More info here: http://www.nodowners.org/dapa_update.htm

Updated 7/15/03:

The bill was defeated by a margin of 199 for and 202 against, perhaps just one more victim of complacency, ignorance and neglect on the part of the decision-makers. Here is how the parties voted:

Republicans: 48 Ayes; 162 Noes
Democrats: 150 Ayes; 40 Noes
Independent: 1 Aye

The voting pattern is the same for this bill as it is for the other animal protection bills below. If you’re a Republican who cares about animal protection, or if you’re a Democrat whose congressperson is a Republican, please click on the HUMANElines links below to see how your representative voted. It is extremely important to contact them, whenever bills like this come up, because as you can see, the downed animals will continue to suffer profoundly because of such a slim margin of three lousy votes! (If you can’t give up meat & dairy, the next best thing you can do to help the largest number of animals is to become informed, and let your legislators know your opinions. It makes a difference when they hear from their constituents. And it takes less than two minutes, if you type in your zip code in the icons at the bottom of this page, and send them an email.)

UPDATE ON CAPITOL HILL ANIMAL PROTECTION MEASURES:
As we know, legislators on Capitol Hill voted on numerous animal protection measures this week, and the final results are in! Of the four animal protection amendments to the Appropriations bills and one free-standing bill, we had two decisive victories and three setbacks.

1. The Blumenauer-Tancredo Animal Fighting Amendment — VICTORY!
The passage of this amendment by the full House (222-179) is the first hurdle in getting $800,000 earmarked for the enforcement of new federal laws to curb illegal animal fighting rings. Additonally, the Senate Agriculture Appropriations Committee included the $800,000 in the bill that it is reporting to the Senate. We simply need to see that the House-Senate Conference Committee follows the action of both chambers to see this measure finalized. See how your Rep voted.

2. The Captive Exotic Animal Safety Act (H.R. 1006) — VICTORY!
H.R 1006 cleared the House Resources committee this week. The Senate version of that bill, S. 269, looks like it will soon be passed in the Environmental and Public Works Committee. This bill will end interstate transport of animals such as lions, tigers, and panthers for the exotic pet trade. To see how your Rep voted, click here.

3. The Ackerman-LaTourette Downed Animal Protection Amendment — Defeat
The amendment to protect sick, injured livestock from being dragged, beaten, and pushed with bulldozers to the slaughterhouse killing floor was defeated by only three votes (199-202)!

[Photos of downed (but live) cows, courtesy of Farm Sanctuary]

This extremely close vote shows that we have just a little more work to do to secure the majority. To see how your Rep voted, click here

4. Rahall Bison Protection Amendment — Defeat
Although the vote was close, on Thursday evening (7/17), the House of Representatives defeated this amendment (199-220) that would have prevented taxpayer money from paying for the slaughter of Yellowstone Park bison by the National Park Service. To see how your Rep voted on the Bison Amendment, click here.

5. Gallegly-Moran “Don’t Feed the Bears” Amendment — Defeat
Although this legislation was defeated as an amendment (163-255) to the Interior Appropriations bill, the free-standing bill, H.R. 1472, is still alive and may be voted on in the future; stay tuned for updates on the voting schedule for H.R. 1472. To see how your Rep voted on the Bear Baiting issue click here.

Many members of Congress told us they voted against our animal-protection amendments because of pressure from special interest groups like the NRA. It‚s going to be a tough fight, but now is the time to let your legislators know that animal-protection advocates are numerous and determined and won’t give up, even in the face of opposition from the animal abuse industries. Give your legislators a call and let them know how you feel about their votes on these issues. All federal Reps. can be reached through the Capitol switchboard: 202-224-3121. If you need to look up the names of your U.S. Rep., go to http://www.Congress.org, or call The HSUS at 202-955-3668. http://www.humanelines.org/ [or see the very bottom of this page for permanent icons.]

THANK YOU FOR MAKING A DIFFERENCE FOR ANIMALS — TODAY!!….