Taking A Bite Out Of The First Amendment



The AP reports on the case of two men whose dog fighting 'zine ran afoul of animal cruelty legislation.

Belle Vernon, Pennsylvania (AP) -- Two men were charged with publishing a 10,000-circulation dog fighting magazine that decreed "champions" in the illegal competitions, raising gambling stakes and stud fees, authorities said Monday.

James Jay Fricchione of Westtown, New York, and John Kelly of Jefferson, Georgia, were charged in a grand jury investigation stemming from the 2002 arrests of six people on dog fighting charges in Pennsylvania.

They were each charged with two counts of cruelty to animals and one count each of conspiracy to commit cruelty to animals. In Pennsylvania, cruelty includes promotion of animal fighting. The charges are felonies that carry penalties of up to $15,000 and seven years in prison.

The magazine Sporting Dog Journal, with subscribers around the world, was allegedly run by Kelly until he sold it to Fricchione in 2001, authorities said.

The magazine, begun in 1972, cost at least $40 for a six-issue annual mail-order subscription. Fricchione used a post office box in Unionville, New York, near his home, authorities said.

Telephone numbers for Fricchione and Kelly were not listed.

Much as I find the practice of dog-fighting abhorrent (mostly because while in combat with CSTB's loyal mascot, Jack, I usually lose), surely these creepy gentlemen should be allowed to publish whatever they want. Organizing dog fights is illegal --- as it oughta be. Writing about them, however, deserves the same protection as journalism covering other barbaric practices (ie. boxing, reviews of Velvet Revolver gigs).

In the current chilling climate, I suppose it would now be illegal for a tax-paying citizen to invite teenage girls to his apartment to pose for photographs while wrestling (dressed as superheroes or popular science fiction characters), with an eye towards publishing a low-circulation magazine. Is this the sort of world you want to live in?

Posted: Tue - July 27, 2004 at 04:17 AM      

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