This is the latest installment of my conressman's newsletter.  Thought it
might be of interest.

Sorry, it's long.

Andy

Dear Andrew,

Most of my time in Congress is spent working on the most challenging
issues of the day-- ending our dependence on foreign oil, fighting for
middle class tax relief, and ensuring access to affordable health care
and education for all Americans. Yet there is one issue on which I
receive an abundance of letters and phone calls from constituents-- the
welfare and safety of animals. There are several key pet protection
provisions that I successfully fought to have included in this year’s
farm bill. This legislation recently passed the House of Representatives
by a vote of 318-106, and the Senate by a vote of 81-15. The President
has publicly stated that he will veto this bill; however there are enough
supporters to override the President's veto and ensure the bill becomes
law.  

I sponsored an amendment with Representative Mike Doyle of Pennsylvania
that would increase fines for violations of the federal Animal Welfare
Act. The penalty for these violations had gone unchanged for the past 20
years and was stagnant at $2,500. These minimal fines were often viewed
as “just the cost of doing business” for those that operated dog fighting
rings, puppy mills and other inhumane businesses.  I am pleased to say
that both the House and Senate supported my amendment which increased the
fine for Animal Welfare Act violations to a maximum of $10,000 in order
to deter these acts.

Unfortunately, animal welfare violations are all too prevalent, even in
our own backyard. In April, 15 pit bulls with large, open neck wounds and
torn ears were removed from a North Bellport home. The animals are
believed to have been part of an illegal dog fighting ring on Long
Island. Last week, police broke up a suspected puppy mill in East
Northport. The dogs at this location had been living amidst their own
feces and had been fed moldy food. This farm bill is a giant step in the
right direction to finally end the rampant and widespread acts of animal
cruelty.

I am also happy to tell you that the Farm Bill included other provisions
strengthening federal animal fighting laws. Anyone who knowingly
possesses or trains animals for fighting now faces a maximum 5 year
sentence (an increase of 2 years). Those individuals who operate rings
that affect interstate or foreign commerce will now be in violation of
federal law. Additionally, efforts to stop foreign puppy mills were
included in this legislation. All dogs imported into the United States
for commercial sale must be healthy and at least 6 months old. China,
Mexico, and many Eastern European countries have been notorious for
packing ships with unweaned and unvaccinated puppies for sale in the
United States- many of which do not survive the long journey across the
ocean. By taking these steps, Congress is enhancing safeguards for
animals in the United States.

I will continue to fight for these animal welfare protections and
appreciate your continued support with these efforts.  

Sincerely,

Steve Israel
Member of Congress