Hulk Hogan sends message to Congress
The wrestler supports federal legislation toughening penalties for dog fighting and cockfighting
| Article published on Thursday, Sept. 28, 2006 |
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WASHINGTON – In cooperation with The Humane Society of the United States, World Wrestling legend, TV star and longtime Belleair resident Hulk Hogan has sent a video message to all 435 members of the U.S. House of Representatives, urging them to pass the federal Animal Fighting Prohibition Enforcement Act.
The legislation will strengthen the federal penalties for interstate and foreign transport of dogs and roosters for illegal animal fighting, and also will ban commerce in cockfighting implements such as razor-sharp knives and icepick-like gaffs strapped to birds’ legs.
He may be a tough guy in the ring, but Hogan has a big heart for animals, and says that dogs and roosters have no place in the fighting arena.
“The laws against animal fighting just aren’t tough enough. The criminals need to get more than a slap on the wrist. Let’s hit ’em with a felonious legdrop,” he said in the video. “I love animals and, brother, it makes my blood boil when I think of people forcing animals to fight. I wish I could take these cowards into the ring myself.”
The Animal Fighting Prohibition Enforcement Act has 323 co-sponsors in the House, more than nearly any other bill in Congress. Identical legislation passed the Senate by unanimous consent in April 2005.
The legislation has been endorsed by the National Sheriffs’ Association, more than 400 law enforcement agencies from all 50 states, the National Chicken Council, the American Veterinary Medical Association, the National Coalition Against Gambling Expansion, the League of United Latin American Citizens, the Texas Poultry Federation, and many others.
To view the Hogan video, visit www.hsus.org/hulkhogan on the web.
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Article published on Thursday, Sept. 28, 2006
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