Friday May 22, 2009, 5:23 pm

Dear Representative,

Michael Vick, ex-quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons, was released from prison on May 20 after serving 23 months in prison for financing "Bad Newz Kennels," his dogfighting operation, and viciously killing dogs that his kennel used in fights. Sadly, unlike the high-profile Michael Vick case, most cases of dogfighting go unnoticed by the media, and find dogfighters receiving weak sentences if convicted.

Although animal fighting is illegal in all 50 states, the Animal Legal Defense Fund is working to make such crimes easier to prosecute and punishable by stronger penalties. ALDF has drafted a recommended amendment to state laws that would enable prosecutors to charge dogfighters under a state's Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organization Act (commonly referred to as "RICO") statute. Applied to animal fighting, RICO - which was originally designed to be a weapon against a wide variety of organized criminal efforts, including drug dealing and gambling - would give prosecutors increased muscle in seeking justice for the animals abused, and, as in the Vick case, even executed by their owners.

The ability to bring a state RICO case provides specific advantages to law enforcement overseeing dogfighting investigations, including:

- More comprehensive investigatory powers;
- Extended statutes of limitations;
- Longer sentences (in terms of both actual incarceration and the length of post-prison supervision);
- Larger fines;
- Pre-conviction "seize and freeze" of a defendant's assets; and
- Forfeiture of the assets used in, and gains generated from, the dogfighting activities.

Please enact or enhance the RICO law in our state to include animal fighting among the crimes that are RICO predicate acts; the Animal Legal Defense Fund can provide this model law, and can also provide a detailed legislative analysis of our state's laws to provide customized solutions for your state. Contact legislation@aldf.org for more information.

[Your Name]

Friday May 22, 2009, 5:28 pm


Signed hun!!

Thnx!!

Friday May 22, 2009, 5:40 pm
Signed and noted. Thanks Tom.

I cannot conceive of anyone feeling that bringing misery and death upon these beautiful creatures constitutes "entertainment"!

Friday May 22, 2009, 5:51 pm
Noted and signed: "Thank you for signing the petition "Support Tougher Dogfighting Laws!." Thanks, Tom!

Friday May 22, 2009, 6:00 pm
Already signed a little while ago. Thanks Tom.
Joycey Berry Canton, NC
Sent letter to Joe Queen , Ray Rapp , R. Haire and John Snow
31 minutes ago

You signed this petition on May 22 and emailed the following representatives:

Joe Queen , Ray Rapp , R. Haire and John Snow

Saturday May 23, 2009, 1:41 am
Noted and signed xx

Saturday May 23, 2009, 3:19 am
Long way to go, only 37 signatures

Thank you for signing the petition "Support Tougher Dogfighting Laws!"

Saturday May 23, 2009, 4:27 am
noted,signed

Saturday May 23, 2009, 5:27 am
Noted & signed !

Saturday May 23, 2009, 5:58 am
I think they should change and make all the laws tougher for all animal cruelty for all animals and birds. It won't stop some people, but at least they would have consequences to face. Maybe it would make others think twice.
Signed Thanks Tom

Saturday May 23, 2009, 6:20 am
Noted. Petition open to USA only.

Saturday May 23, 2009, 6:26 am
Petition only for America - but I noticed other people had managed to enter other country information. Is there another link for this petition?

Saturday May 23, 2009, 6:32 am
sisnged that tom i hopethey do stop tthat i dodnt like dog fignting

Saturday May 23, 2009, 6:37 am
Noted. Can not sign change.org petitions. Thank you.

Saturday May 23, 2009, 9:15 am
signed.thanks tom.

Saturday May 23, 2009, 11:11 am
signed thanks tom

Saturday May 23, 2009, 11:28 am
Thank you for signing the petition "Support Tougher Dogfighting Laws!", thanks Tom, but a petition needs to be started to create tougher penalties against all cruelty to all animals!

Saturday May 23, 2009, 11:48 am
noted & signed.

Saturday May 23, 2009, 12:31 pm
noted and signed Tom. Thanks

Saturday May 23, 2009, 1:27 pm
I agree Lindsy, that this and so many cruel "sports" that force animals to fight and die for entertainment can only appeal to the most malignantly evil side of humanity. The penalties should include huge $100,000 or more for the first count and should it happen a second time it should be at least $250,000 and a mandatory prison term of not less then 2 years. If the profit is less then the fine, it will discourage most from taking part. I think the fines/penalties should apply equally to those placing bets as it does to the so called "trainers." (signed at change.org)

Saturday May 23, 2009, 1:46 pm
oted & already signed

Saturday May 23, 2009, 5:55 pm
Pleased to sign and note. Thank you.

Sunday May 24, 2009, 7:09 am
O YES!!!!! gladly signed.....but only 143 signatires :(

Sunday May 24, 2009, 7:47 am
DONE

Sunday May 24, 2009, 7:49 am
There should be at least a 1 or 2 year minimum sentence for those who treat animals so shamefully. They don't belong in our society.

Sunday May 24, 2009, 9:55 am
Signed & cross-posted, thanks Tom!

Sunday May 24, 2009, 5:11 pm
Signed May 23rs. Tx Tom )-))

Sunday May 24, 2009, 9:20 pm
Noted, signed. Let's hope this works.

Monday May 25, 2009, 12:19 am
Signed.

Monday May 25, 2009, 12:40 am
Noted and signed. Definately need tougher laws on this! Thanks Tom.

Monday May 25, 2009, 12:40 pm
They should make an example of Sick Vick!! and yes, tougher laws for animal cruelity.

Tuesday May 26, 2009, 11:14 am
Noted & signed. Thanks. This bill needs to be past.