Animal welfare experts urge Congress to hold animal abusers accountable for the costs of caring for their victims

The co-chairs of the Congressional Animal Protection Caucus (CAPC), Reps. Earl Blumenauer (D-Ore.) and Mike Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.), will welcome the ASPCA® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®) to Capitol Hill on Thursday, April 30 in recognition of National Animal Advocacy Day. ASPCA experts will discuss the need for federal legislation to address the legal and financial challenges they face when caring for animals seized in cruelty cases including dog fighting operations. The ASPCA will also share the story of a pit bull named Bam Bam, an ASPCA ambassador dog who was rescued from an Alabama dog fighting ring. Bam Bam will be on-hand for the event, and available for great video and photo opportunities.

“On National Animal Advocacy Day, the ASPCA encourages all animal advocates to make a difference in their communities by helping to enact meaningful legal protections for animals,” said Nancy Perry, senior vice president of ASPCA Government Relations. “This year, we are urging Congress to provide much-needed relief to animal control agencies and taxpayers — who often bear the costs of caring for victims of animal cruelty during legal proceedings — by making animal abusers accountable for covering the costs of caring for their victims.”

WHO: Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR), Co-chair, Congressional Animal Protection Caucus
Rep. Mike Fitzpatrick (R-PA), Co-chair, Congressional Animal Protection Caucus
Nancy Perry, senior vice president of ASPCA Government Relations
Tim Rickey, vice president of ASPCA Field Investigations and Response
Jennifer Chin, vice president of Legal Advocacy for the ASPCA

WHEN: Thursday, April 30, 3:00 – 4:00 p.m.

WHERE: United States Capitol Building, Room HC-8
New Jersey & Independence Avenues, SE, Washington, D.C., 20515