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courtesy of ASPCA
Tennessee, Help Pass Tougher Penalties for Animal Fighting
HB 2142/SB 1733�Felony Penalty for Cockfighting Sponsor(s): Rep. Beverly Marrero, Senator Bill Kentron ASPCA Position: Support Action: None
Update, 7/26/07: Unfortunately, HB 2142/SB 1733 died in committee.
HB 2142 and companion bill SB 1733 will make the penalty for animal fighting uniform, regardless of the type of animal involved. Animal fighting is a felony under state law�however, cockfighting is only a misdemeanor, and misdemeanor penalties are ineffective for deterring animal fighting ventures. The minimal fines and fees associated with misdemeanors are inconsequential, as the payoff for a successful fight far outweighs the risk of having to pay a meager fine. These fines are viewed by animal fighters merely as a �cost of doing business.�
Animal fighting negatively impacts public safety. The environments surrounding these activities have proven to promote organized crime, juvenile crime, gang activity, trafficking of illegal drugs and narcotics, illegal wagering and gambling, child endangerment, and fosters a generally pervasive attitude that violence is not only acceptable, but a means of entertainment. It is also a fact that violence toward animals is a precursor to violence toward humans.

New info courtesy of the HSUS

Puppy Mill Perils: 250 Dogs and Puppies Rescued from Filthy Kennel
August 23, 2007
The HSUS Breeder dogs in puppy mills are often forced to spend their entire lives caged in shocking environments. The noxious odors hit you in the face as soon as you walk through the door. The deafening noise created by hundreds of excited dogs assaults your ears. Dogs are spinning in circles, jumping and vaulting off their cage walls. Others hide with vacant, scared eyes in the back of their kennels, where they nurse and protect newborn puppies.
Breeding Misery
A wide variety of breeds filled the filthy kennels at J'Aime Kennels, a puppy mill in Buxton, Maine. Crammed inside the squalid building were miniature Australian shepherds, French bulldogs, American bull dogs, Chihuahuas, Brussels griffons, pugs, German shepherds, shelties and papillons.
Rescuing Hundreds
When the long day was done, authorities had served a search warrant at J'Aime Kennels and seized more than 250 animals, in addition to computers and medical and veterinary records and supplies. Staff and volunteers from local animal welfare groups, veterinary hospitals, the Maine Animal Welfare Program and The HSUS quickly stepped in to assist with evidence collection, animal identification and�most importantly�veterinary care and clean up. According to Animal Welfare Program director Norma Worley, this was the single largest seizure of animals in the state�s recent history.

Appalling Conditions
Many of the animals at J'Aime Kennels had sarcoptic mange, a contagious skin problem. Caretakers will perform further tests, including for the internal parasite Giardia, soon. Because of the sheer size of the operation, most of the animals will be housed on-site in custodial care until long-term arrangements can be made while the case moves through the legal system.
Stopping Puppy Mills
Join The HSUS in our work to help stop the systematic abuse of dogs in puppy mills, and learn more about how to avoid buying a puppy mill dog.
Take the pledge to stop puppy mills.
Owners Face Consequences
J�Aime Kennels owners, Heidi and John Frasca, now face 14 civil charges for running a kennel without a license; two criminal counts of animal cruelty; and one criminal count for failure to provide necessary medical treatment to animals, according to a written release from Buxton police.
�The condition we found these animals in�as is the case with most puppy mills�is in stark contrast to the images of puppies purchased in pet stores or over the Internet,� said Joanne Bourbeau, New England regional director of The HSUS, who was on-site to lend her assistance. �Consumers would be shocked at the lack of care that dogs in mass breeding facilities receive. Thanks to the cooperative efforts of the local, state and national groups involved, we were able to rescue hundreds of dogs from this suffering.�
Animal Abuse Typical in Puppy Mills
Puppy mill dogs face deplorable circumstances and often suffer from inbreeding, minimal or no vet care, poor quality food, limited shelter, lack of opportunity for human socialization, and overcrowded cages. These factory-like facilities are in existence for one reason only: to make money from unsuspecting families looking to purchase a new family member online, from a newspaper ad or in a pet store window.
The lure of a puppy�s sweet, trusting face is undeniable. But the sad, cruel truth behind puppy mills is animal cruelty, and that's too high a price to pay.

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