Chess Gator
2010-04-21 19:18:21 UTC
http://www.examiner.com/x-44251-Tampa-Animal-Welfare-Examiner~y2010m4d21-Supreme-Court-Crippled-and-dead-dogs-can-be-dog-fighting-video-star
Supreme Court rules in favor of animal cruelty dog fighting videos
April 21, 11:02 AMTampa Animal Welfare ExaminerMaryann Tobin
The US Supreme Court has overturned a long-standing law that protected
against the promotion of dog fighting. The new decision now makes it
legal to promote the violent and bloody deaths of dogs trained to
fight, through the production and promotion of dog fighting videos.
Justice Samuel Alito was the single dissenting vote among the eight
Justices. In his decision, he wrote, "The Court strikes down in its
entirety a valuable statue, that was enacted not to suppress speech,
but to prevent horrific acts of animal cruelty."
The other Justices believed that producing and promoting graphic
images of animal cruelty is protected under the First Amendment right
of free speech.
In 1982, the Supreme Court made an exception to the First Amendment on
the issue of child pornography. However, that too may be challenged
in the future, considering the dog fighting decision.
Dog fighting is big business in Florida and across the nation, since
spectators place cash bets on which dog will survive the fight.
Drugs are often used to help push the dogs beyond their normal
physical abilities. The result is often permanently maimed, crippled,
paralyzed and blinded dogs. Dog fighting can also result in a slow and
tortuously painful death for the animals.
Police in the Tampa area make hundreds of dog fighting arrests each
year. The confiscated dogs are often so crippled, malnourished and
maimed, they are routinely put down.
Robert Stevens of Pittsville, Virginia, initiated the lawsuit that
overturned the animal cruelty law. He was convicted and sentenced to 3
years in prison for filming graphic acts of animal cruelty.
Supreme Court rules in favor of animal cruelty dog fighting videos
April 21, 11:02 AMTampa Animal Welfare ExaminerMaryann Tobin
The US Supreme Court has overturned a long-standing law that protected
against the promotion of dog fighting. The new decision now makes it
legal to promote the violent and bloody deaths of dogs trained to
fight, through the production and promotion of dog fighting videos.
Justice Samuel Alito was the single dissenting vote among the eight
Justices. In his decision, he wrote, "The Court strikes down in its
entirety a valuable statue, that was enacted not to suppress speech,
but to prevent horrific acts of animal cruelty."
The other Justices believed that producing and promoting graphic
images of animal cruelty is protected under the First Amendment right
of free speech.
In 1982, the Supreme Court made an exception to the First Amendment on
the issue of child pornography. However, that too may be challenged
in the future, considering the dog fighting decision.
Dog fighting is big business in Florida and across the nation, since
spectators place cash bets on which dog will survive the fight.
Drugs are often used to help push the dogs beyond their normal
physical abilities. The result is often permanently maimed, crippled,
paralyzed and blinded dogs. Dog fighting can also result in a slow and
tortuously painful death for the animals.
Police in the Tampa area make hundreds of dog fighting arrests each
year. The confiscated dogs are often so crippled, malnourished and
maimed, they are routinely put down.
Robert Stevens of Pittsville, Virginia, initiated the lawsuit that
overturned the animal cruelty law. He was convicted and sentenced to 3
years in prison for filming graphic acts of animal cruelty.