advertisement

SSN on Facebook SSN on Twitter SSN on YouTube RSS Feed

21 Comments
Politics

Alcee Hastings', Vern Buchanan's Resolution to Ban the Cat and Dog Meat Trade Gaining Momentum on Capitol Hill

November 24, 2017 - 6:00am
Alcee Hastings and Vern Buchanan
Alcee Hastings and Vern Buchanan

A resolution from two members of the Florida congressional delegation calling for an end to the global dog meat and cat meat trade is gaining momentum in the House with more than 100 co-sponsors and moving through a key committee earlier this month. 

Back in June, U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan, R-Fla., and U.S. Rep. Alcee Hastings, D-Fla.,  brought out a resolution “calling on China, South Korea, Vietnam, Thailand, the Philippines, Indonesia, Cambodia, Laos, India and all nations to end their dog and cat meat trade and to enforce existing laws against the trade.”

This is not the first time the two congressmen tackled the issue. Back in March, Buchanan and Hastings unveiled the “Dog and Cat Meat Trade Prohibition Act," a proposal banning the slaughter of cats and dogs for human consumption.

Last week, the resolution moved through the U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee and Hastings thanked U.S. Rep. Ed Royce, R-Calif., the chairman of the committee, and U.S. Rep. Eliot Engel, D-NY, the ranking Democrat on it, for advancing his proposal. 

“I commend Chairman Ed Royce and Ranking Member Eliot Engel for supporting H.Res.401, and applaud the House Foreign Affairs Committee for its passage,” Hastings said after the resolution cleared the committee. “I hope the House will expeditiously pass this measure. Doing so will reaffirm America’s commitment to the humane treatment of our most beloved companions.”

“Furthermore, I am so deeply appreciative to the thousands of supporters who continue to work tirelessly around the globe to end the dog and cat trade,” Hastings added. “It is my hope that this resolution will bring us one step closer to accomplishing that goal.”

“Dogs and cats provide companionship to millions and should not be slaughtered and sold as food,” Buchanan said after the vote. “It’s time to provide important protections for our most popular pets.”

The resolution continues to build steam on Capitol Hill with more than 10 new co-sponsors jumping on so far this month. A majority of the Florida delegation is backing the resolution with Republican U.S. Reps. Gus Bilirakis, Matt Gaetz and Bill Posey and Democrats U.S. Reps. Kathy Castor, Charlie Crist, Val Demings, Ted Deutch, Lois Frankel, Al Lawson  Darren Soto, Debbie Wasserman Schultz and Frederica Wilson serving as co-sponsors. 

The Animal Hope & Wellness Foundation, Animal Welfare Institute, Hounds and Heroes, Humane Society International, Humane Society Legislative Fund, The Humane Society of the United States and People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) are all behind the resolution. 

The issue is not a new one for either of the two congressmen from the Sunshine State who are the co-chairs of the Florida delegation. Hastings has been leading the charge on Capitol Hill in condemning the Yulin Dog Meat Festival in China where 10,000 dogs are slaughtered each year for human consumption. 

Buchanan has also garnered national attention for his work on animal issues. The Humane Society of the United States named Buchanan as its legislator of the year last April, the first time a member of the Florida delegation has received the honor. Buchanan received a 100 score from the Humane Society and fought for some of the group’s top priorities. In 2016, Buchanan brought out the Safeguard American Food Exports (SAFE) Act which bans exporting horses to Mexican slaughterhouses. Buchanan has also led the charge on Capitol Hill to stop domestic slaughterhouses from creating horse meat for human consumption. The Bradenton congressman has also been active in trying to keep manatees covered under the Endangered Species Act. Last year, Buchanan protested the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s (FWS) decision to downgrade manatees from “endangered” to “threatened.” In recent weeks, Buchanan has been critical of the FWS decision to end the ban of elephant trophies and has applauded President Donald Trump for reversing it. 
 

Comments

We all have to get one thing straight. We can all argue and call each other names. Writing these letters saying how awful the dog meat trade is just words that fall on deaf ears. We all know how these poor souls suffer. I say that the sword is mightier than the pen. We need to go into these countries and physically set these suffering dogs and cats free and send them back here to the U.S. Once here we can start to rehabilitate them and get them adopted out. Trust me these letters don't work. You are dealing with sadistic people who have non scientific theories embedded in their brains. The slaughtering will continue until it is physically stopped. Boycott Kia, Hyundai LG and Samsung products. Hit them in their pockets like they are hitting the dogs over their heads. Remember actions NOT words.

To me its about violence. Torturing. Boiling them alive. Keeping the head down while blow torching its face. Skinning alive. Humans disrespecting Earths creatures like we own them to do what we want to them. Violence is violence how ever form. I pray for Karma every day. Humans have no right to torture any living creature. DCMT is a vile and torturous trade

I believe that dogs shouldn't suffer and die for the trade in their meat. I support an end to the dog meat trade throughout Asia, and urge the governments of all countries where the trade in dog meat exists to work diligently and quickly towards eradicating this cruel and unnecessary practice.

Thank you so much!!!! Please we must not stop. I have a rescue from China slaughterhouse and Korea. They are the most loving sweet dogs!This trade is pure evil and must stop. It is so horrific! Thank you sooooo much! HEROES! Thank you Congressman for being our voice! Thank you from the bottom of my heart!

Millions of people are suffering in our souls because of these sadistic acts. A deep sense of guilt weighs on my heart knowing this is happening. Please bring peace! We truly need to stop this torturous violence. These vulnerable beings were NEVER put on this earth to be treated this way.

Thank you to all the positive energy from all the positive people… Everyone else, keep your ignorance to yourself. Cats and dogs and horses are not meant for us to eat… It’s 2017… Get out if you’re ignorant box! As an animal advocate, we are their voice! The barbaric, inhumane abuse that goes on nationally and internationally WILL END!!! Animals have a heartbeat and they are not OUR property! Because of ignorance, we live in evil! To all the positive people out there! Keep on being positive… Love always ends up winning.

Omg !! THANK U FOR THIS SAVE THEM !!! Together WE WILL I LOVE YOU

C Breeze - Thanks for the update on pondscum sucker Vern. I am well versed with Alcee and think all you have to do is look at his district to understand why he is in Congress and not federal prison. But felt safe attacking Vern because no Republican - hell, no decent human being- would be in the same room as Alcee unless you were restrained. Lessen, of course, he was pimping for you. Suspect he would have some talent in that area. The really sick thing is that this is gathering support in the halls of congress. Course today, when the halls are slick with the sweat dripping off $1,500 suits we paid for, they are all dreading the next phone call. This bill seems pretty safe. Like saying you support GM and apple pie grandma made for Thanksgiving. Which could be worse? Your wife or CBS calls ? Oh, yes, it is CBS. That would effect their re-election. Women are easy to come by. They can always marry their latest mistress. Lessen the old wife just knows to much. Then they might be forced to go NFL on em and have em killed. Man has to have priorities.

Bought & SAVED a puppy in a meat market stall in Seoul, Korea during my 13 month deployment there; named him "Pohang" and he became our "GI Hooch" pet...and was still there when I left and the GI's who remained swore "Pohang" would remain there on the base until "old age took him"...

Thank uuuuuu

Why are they wasting taxpayers money on something that even though I find repugnant, is not important in the United States. It doesn't happen here just because it's accepted practice in other countries doesn't mean our PC politicians need to stick their noses into other people's cultural practices.

How ignorant are you! Torture is NOT culture and I applaud anyone who stands up and is a voice for the voiceless.

The inhumane barbaric torture and consumption of thousands of cats and dogs in Asian Countries is not a cultural practice. What it is though is a vile,extremely evil way to make money. These animals are boiled alive,skinned alive,hung,blow torched to remove fur,clubbed to death...all of this is done in front of the others,awaiting the same,slow,painful,agonizing death..why?So, their meat becomes more tender. They believe the adrenolin released makes their meat more tender. They also believe dog meat keeps them cool in the summer,cat meat keep them warm in the winter. They also think eating dog meat helps a man's virility(stamina). This is not culural,nor is it out of necessity. Please take the time to read about the horrific DCMT(Dog Cat Meat Trade) I guarantee afterwards you'll be asking,How could we not get involved?

Robert. The torture has nothing to do with culture, religion, or race. Google Chen Wu Yulin and watch ONE video of what is done to these animals and then I challenge you to sleep well at night.

It’s not a waste of money if it save a life. Compassion has no borders. What happens around the world eventually affects us all. Those practice and cruelty actually is happening and legal in 44 states here in USA. We are fighting to end here and around the world. We have to be the leaders and example to those countries that we are not going to continue to allowed the holocaust on our best companions dogs and cats. Animal Protections Laws have to be inforce all over the world. Cruelty affects us all. We all live in this planet and it’s our obligation to fight for thee defenssless victims of cruelty.

The thing is the slaughter of dogs and cats for consumption is legal in 44 states in the United States.

What "Hastings & Buchanan" will NEVER understand; BUT, the rest of the world already does,.. is that "Cats & Dogs" have FOUR DRUMSTICKS.... AND, there are nowhere near as many "cat ladies" in the rest of the world, as there are here... "TweedleDum & TweedleDee's" legislation could very well ALSO put the birkenstock sandal business, and Gloria All-red, outa business.... !!!MEOW!!!

C Breeze - You seem like a very angry person. I suggest you research what is actually done to these animals before posting such ignorant comments. Google Chen Wu Yulin and watch ONE of the thousands of videos posted by local activists condemning the stealing of their pets and their eventual demise. This is not about culture, tradition or skin color. It is INTENTIONAL BRUTAL TORTURE on man's best friends. I would be very surprised if you owned a pet. And if you did...horrified.

"Hastings & Buchanan" ( The "TweedleDee" & "TweedleDum" of the "House of Representatives"): Hastings---"A former Federal Judge investigated for Sexual Harassment of a staff member (see pg.75 of "EXTORTION" by Peter Scweitzer), and who was impeached in 1980 for "Soliciting a Bribe and Perjury"; and who publicly said, "We have no rules, we do what we want in Congress". Then, there's Buchanan---"Voted one of the ten most corrupt politicians of 2012", by "Judicial Watch" [along with Obama and eight others]; (Buchanan also voted to fund "Obama's illegal Amnesty"!) {This obfuscatory "Duo" apparently live in Election Districts "peopled" by "Deaf, Dumb & Blind" voters...}

Sitting here shaking my head. Now, if this bill had said that we would no longer accept ANY immigrants from S. Korea, Viet Nam, the Phillipines, India, Siam, Indonesia, Laos, Cambodia and all nations until we were sure they were complying with not eating cats and dogs and horses, why then I would be writing a check right now. Heck, it could be like the Iranian deal where they promise not to make nukes if we will just give them 150 billion in cash. That has worked so well I have high hopes for this worth legislation. Are they guys from earth? Can't they find a woman to send naked pictures to?

Well, for a couple pondscum sucking Bozo type clowns this seems pretty safe. Except for Korean type restaurants in seedy sections of big cities I did not know it was that much of a problem in the US. So this is a global referendum, eh? Bet it will strike terror in the hearts of nations around the world. Are they volunteering to be the compliance team? If both left the country I would be more avid in my support. The biggest offender on a global scale is North Korea but suspect this brilliant bill, worthy of time in the hallowed halls of Congress, is too late to help dogs and cats in that great nation. They have all been et. What a sick, sad joke.

Comments are now closed.

politics
advertisement
advertisement
Live streaming of WBOB Talk Radio, a Sunshine State News Radio Partner.

advertisement