Animal protection bill proposed in House

U.S. Rep. Elton Gallegly (R-Thousand Oaks) and Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-Portland, Ore.) have introduced a bill designed to protect animals from human cruelty.

The Federal Dog Protection Act would ban animal fighting and anything associated with it, such as training tools, videos and magazines; allow those who care for and house animals that have been rescued by federal agents to recoup their expenses; and allow private citizens to sue any person alleged to be in violation of the law.

Violators of the Federal Dog Protection Act would face up to a five-year sentence and a $250,000 fine for each count.

The bill was introduced with 52 original co-sponsors.