Ruh-Ro! - Dog Gone Dead or Merely Resurrected?: The Mysterious Canine Case of U.S. Representative David Davis' Oreo

"Davis focused on nation", letter to the editor.
Tuesday, June 10, 2008

I am proud that my father, Congressman David Davis, believes both in the concept of life and in protecting our Constitution. I have read with interest, and dismay, some of the letters to the editor that portray my father as a dog hater. Nothing could be further from the truth. I have seen firsthand his love for animals and his love of the United States Constitution, which he is sworn to uphold.



My family took in a stray beagle-mix dog when I was in the second grade. We named him Oreo because of his distinctive black and white markings. These markings have since blended into shades of gray over the past 13 years. Yes, Oreo has aged, but he is still a vital part of my life since we actually grew up together. We almost lost Oreo last year, the veterinarian had even told us to say our "goodbyes.” [sic] My father decided to try an experimental treatment to keep Oreo alive and to oreturn him to health. Thankfully, the therapy was successful and Oreo is still with us today.

My father has never condoned nor supported dog fighting. He has always stood up for life issues and he has always taken his oath to protect our Constitution seriously. Dog fighting, as most people know, is a state issue. Fortunately dog fighting is a felony in Tennessee as it is in most every state in the nation.

The United States Congres would better serve the citizens of America if it would spend more time the protecting the lives of humans and passing an energy bill to help struggling families. The state legislators are capable of passing state laws.

RACHEL DAVIS
Johnson City

And according to Congressman Davis himself, a different outcome of a Davis pooch in 2007 follows :

Davis defends his vote against dogfighting bill
http://www.timesnews.net/article.php?id=9002205
Published 07/26/2007 By Hank Hayes

In the wake of the federal dogfighting indictment against Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick, U.S. Rep. David Davis responded Wednesday to an animal rights group accusing him of giving dogfighters a “free pass” by voting against legislation last March to upgrade penalties for the illegal transportation of dogs.

The Humane Society Legislative Fund (HSLF) attacked Davis for his vote on the Animal Fighting Prohibition Enforcement Act, which passed the House by a 368-39 vote, cleared the Senate unanimously and was signed by President Bush in May — after the alleged crimes listed in an indictment against Vick and his codefendants had occurred.

Davis, R-1st District, was the only member of the Tennessee congressional delegation to vote against the bill.

“The vast majority of members of Congress supported this legislation to put a stop to precisely the type of behavior that Michael Vick was charged with last week — participation in a multi-state network of cruel and degrading dogfighting activities,” HSLF President Michael Markarian said in a prepared release. “Humane organizations and more than 400 law enforcement agencies supported the federal bill, yet David Davis showed his true colors by giving dogfighters a free pass.”

Davis responded by indicating that the Humane Society is using Vick’s situation to advance its political agenda.


“The reality is dogfighting and cockfighting are illegal in Tennessee and will continue to be illegal in Tennessee,” Davis said. “I don’t feel like you need a new federal law. You have state laws in place. It has nothing to do about my feelings for or against animals. I wish they could look at my vet bill for my dog that passed away about three months ago.”