Iowa Congressman Steve King Defends The Right To Watch Dog Fighting

VOTE HIM OUT!

At the Dog Files, we don’t believe in partisan politics. We believe that EVERYONE has a place in their heart for dogs, regardless of the political party you are affiliated with. And I don’t think we will ever protect man’s best friend unless we reach across the aisle, shake hands and agree that dogs deserve better.

I am all for state’s rights, limited government and to be left alone. But not when it comes to living creatures such as children or dogs. We NEED laws to protect them, since we have plenty of proof that human beings are out there ready and willing to hurt them.

But then Iowa Congressman Steve King happens and it can NOT be ignored. If you are a Democrat or a Republican or Libertarian and want to help dogs you will have the support of the Dog Files. But if you are against our furry friends, we will stand against YOU. Yes, I’m pointing at you, Congressman King.

Dogfighting is illegal in every U.S. state. Every sane American believes that dog fighting is cruel and inhumane, but it look like we have a United States Congressman who disagrees. In fact, he has a history of being against any laws protecting animals. What a sweetheart. This guy seems so extreme that both parties, Democrats and Republicans, disagree with him.

Iowans, I ask you from the bottom of my heart, please vote this man out. If not to make your state and America proud, then for the dogs. They deserve better then this. The dogs deserve a congressman or woman that loves, cares and respects them.

Please feel free to check out his Facebook page here, where he just put a photo of his family dogs. I wonder if he would want them thrown into a fighting ring?

You can also email him here. And feel free, to voice your opinion to him, but please remember, vulgar, violent comments don’t help our cause. Tell him from your heart why this hurts you, why he should change his ways and that you will work to defeat him next election day if he doesn’t change his position. That’s how we change things!

Thanks!
Kenn Bell
Dog Files Creator

Last week, Iowa Congressman Steve King stood up for the rights of Americans who want to watch (and encourage others to watch) dog fights.

During a tele-townhall event last week, King complained about an amendment to the farm bill that prohibits attendance at organized animal fights and imposes additional penalties for bringing a child to these bloody and horrific displays. Staging fights, possessing and/or training animals or moving animals for fighting purposes is already a federal crime. This amendment to the US Farm Bill would extend that to anyone spectating and wagering on animal fighting.

Congressman King went as far to say in his live town hall video broadcast that “it’s a federal crime to watch animals fight or to induce someone else to watch an animal fight but it’s not a federal crime to induce somebody to watch people fighting, there’s something wrong with the priorities of people that think like that.”

In a statement released by Wayne Pacelle,President and CEO of The HSUS: “Spectators are participants and accomplices who enable the crime of animal fighting, make the enterprise profitable through admission fees and wagering, and help conceal and protect the handlers and organizers; Federal investigators who raid large-scale animal fighting operations may soon be able to prosecute the entire cast of characters who sustain dogfighting and cockfighting.”

It is illegal in 49 states to be a knowing spectator at an animal fight. A majority—29 states—impose felony-level penalties on spectators. This legislation imposes federal misdemeanor penalties for knowing attendance and felony penalties for knowingly causing a minor to attend.

The amendment was introduced by Senator David Vitter-La., and strongly backed by Sens. Richard Blumenthal, Conn., Maria Cantwell, Wash., Mark Kirk,-Ill., Scott Brown, -Mass., and Agriculture Committee Chairwoman Debbie Stabenow, -Mich. The amendment passed in the Senate on an 88 to 11 vote (With only 1 not voting).

Apparently, this isn’t Congressman King’s first attempt at stopping animal rights in his five terms in Congress. According to a release from the Humane Society of the United States:

King has led the fight in Congress to block legislation to crack down on the barbaric practices of dogfighting and cockfighting. During consideration of the 2012 Farm bill, King led an unsuccessful effort to defeat a McGovern amendment to make it a crime for an adult to attend or to bring a child to a dogfight or cockfight.

A three-year study by the Chicago Police Department found that 70 percent of animal offenders had also been arrested for other felonies, including domestic and aggravated battery, illegal drug trafficking, and sex crimes. That pattern of behavior undoubtedly encouraged the Fraternal Order of Police, the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association, the International Association of Chiefs of Police, and nearly 200 law enforcement agencies from across the country to support the current effort in Congress to quash illegal dogfighting and cockfighting.

Every other federal lawmaker in Iowa – including Republicans Charles Grassley and Tom Latham – supported this policy of forbidding adults from bringing children to these spectacles of violence. South Dakota Senator John Thune also voted in favor of barring adults from taking kids to animal fighting spectacles.

King also stood alone in Iowa’s delegation in opposing a previous upgrade of the federal law against animal fighting. In 2007, he was one of a just a small group of lawmakers to oppose H.R. 137, a bill to make it a federal felony to transport animals or cockfighting implements across state lines.

Story by Lauren McGregor Downs

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Chenoa Miller
11 years ago

Congressman King points out that is is illegal to watch dogs fight but not to watch humans fight and in his opinion that isn’t right.  I would like to point out that the humans choose to fight, the dogs have no choice.  I would also like to point out that the human do not fight until one of them is seriously injured or dies.  In dog fights one or both of the dogs is usually seriously injured and often one of them dies.  It is not the same thing.

Ruth Horwitz
Ruth Horwitz
11 years ago
Reply to  Chenoa Miller

Thank you for your insight and comment.   I agree wholeheartedly!!!

Matthew Legare
11 years ago

I would fully support watching Congressman King fight a large, properly-trained attack dog. Does that count?

Alvajoallen
Alvajoallen
11 years ago
Reply to  Matthew Legare

With all due respect but you’re an idoit!!

Karen
Karen
11 years ago

Comparing dog fighting to Boxing is NOT the same at all- Dogs don’t have a choice,We do… we force them to fight and they don’t get paid for it except in ripped off pieces of their faces! They can’t throw in a towel when they’ve had enough…I’m sure this man would be very upset if someone snatched his family dog to use as a practice dog for fighting!! Any animal fight is barbaric and the people who enjoy them and first started them are lacking feelings and sensitivity…certainly does not set a Good example for children at all! Teaches them to grow up mistreating animals to get a laugh 🙁 

Ed Swangren
Ed Swangren
11 years ago

Wow I hope that you don’t call yourself a journalist.  Way to completely take his comment out of context.  Whether or not you agree with his stance on abortion is irrelevant; he was making an analogy, not defending dog fighting.  

This is the sort of thing that gives activists like you a bad name.  Way to check your sources.  I don’t know if you are purposely being deceitful or are simply incompetent.  Either way, you screwed up.

JED5524
JED5524
11 years ago

He should drop dead. He is stupid & heartless, I wish him everything bad in the universe! LOSER!

Betty Hunt
Betty Hunt
11 years ago

People fighting aren’t fighting to kill. You are sad. If you don’t think dogs have feelings just look in their eyes. They give you unconditional love and deserve love in return.

Nora Hogan
11 years ago
Reply to  Betty Hunt

You’re are trying to reason with someone who isn’t rational. Save your breath.

doglover
doglover
11 years ago

I am a Republican. And this jerk is not typical of Republicans. Please keep your bigoted opinion to yourself and think of the animals and what would protect them!!

EvesHumanMom
EvesHumanMom
11 years ago
Reply to  doglover

Yes, this is not a partisan issue. Cruelty to animals is just wrong.

Kenn Bell
11 years ago

This guy is definitely not too bright. What does one thing have to do with the other? According to him we can’t help dogs till we have world peace with humans? Unbelievable.

AlvajoAllen
AlvajoAllen
11 years ago

I am completely taken aback by Mr. King’s stand on dog fighting! If he has no compassion for an innocent dog that is forced to fight for his life then he has no compassion for the people he serves. The people of Iowa should be “up in arms” over this issue and take a stand on removing Mr. King from his office. To compare dog fighting to boxing(another sport that is done by prehistoric idoits) then he does have something missing from his mental capabilities. A boxer can choose whether or not he wants to get his head beat in, an animal has no choice, the decision is made for it. Mr. King has proved that he is not worthy of the position that the people of Iowa have appointed him.

LeslieG
LeslieG
11 years ago

Gee, Congressman, what is next? Let’s hear it for Domestic Violence?  Child Abuse? Rape?  Maybe one of your lucky family members be will involved-still think it is OK? You are a disgrace to ALL of humanity…in fact, I can’t even regard you as human at all!

Alvajoallen
Alvajoallen
11 years ago
Reply to  LeslieG

Yes, and lets all stand around and watch and bet on who wins. Great comment, Leslie.

Jeanne Mamczarz Lander
11 years ago

How long does it take for you to approve a post?
Or do only that people agree get approved?

Jeanne Mamczarz Lander
11 years ago

I have posted two comments besides the one above and this one. They have not been approved leading me to believe that because I said something that disagrees with this story it will not get posted!

Bourbonks
Bourbonks
11 years ago

What a total POS!! Does he even understand the typical heartless creatures that these ‘spectators’ are and their criminal history?!! So he is okay with people watching scared, helpless dogs get torn to shreds, well, by golly, its just another sport, right?!! Makes you wonder what HIS history of abusing animals is!! POS!! So sharing this!! Be gone Congressman King! Throw HIM into the ‘drug dealer murderer abuser’ ring and lets allow this as a spectator sport!!

Enidjk1
Enidjk1
11 years ago

It is illegal for one human to fight and kill the opponent, isn’t it Mr. King? Poor guy is too stupid and dishonest for a worthwhile career so he had to choose being a politician, iIt was reallyhis only option, since heisn’t very athletic he wasn’t able to join the NFL with his mental soul mate Mikey Vick!

Nora Hogan
11 years ago

I think he doesn’t want to keep his job!

Debbie Spies
11 years ago

What a crock of bull!! Humans choose to fight DOG ARE FORCED. to fight! Starved so that they are are more agressive!! Is there something wrong with you!! Debbie Spies – South Africa!!

Debbie Spies
11 years ago

What an idiot! Really who in the right mind would want someone like this as a representative of the human race..

frieda
frieda
11 years ago

his argument is faulty because “human fights” such as boxing or MMA are somewhat civil. it is illegal for people to fight with lethal weapons, or duel, let alone make it a spectator sport. dog fights are usually to the death or one is too maimed to continue. these are not the same thing.

Ronna Travali
11 years ago

Fire the SOB! NO re-election for this MORON! Maybe someone needs to check into his business, and see what he may be hiding. Regardless, this man isn’t fit to represent anyone! If he wants to allow dog fighting, then may I suggest he be the first person in the ring with the dog.

Kimberly S Speer
11 years ago

I am a huge fan of this Congressman but I am truly disappointed on his stance with this

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