Animal Fighting
More States Take Action in 2011 to Stop Animal Fighting
Update Oct. 8, 2011: CA Gov. Jerry Brown has signed S.B. 425 into law.
Stop the Spectators from Attending Animal Fights
The Animal Fighting Spectator Prohibition Act, H.R. 2492, has been introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives by Reps. Tom Marino (R-PA) and Betty Sutton (D-OH). The Senate version, S.B. 1947 has been introduced by Sen. Richard Blumenthal.
Texas Cockfighting Bill Becomes Law
Update June 10, 2011: H.B. 1043 has now been signed into law as amended by the House and Senate.
Under the final version, it will be a felony to knowingly:(1) cause a cock to fight with another cock; or (2) participate in the earnings of a cockfight.
NC Bill Broadens Cockfighting Crimes
North Carolina House Bill 395 is another effort by state lawmakers to strengthen cockfighting laws.
Animal Groups Create Nation's First Dog Fighting Database
by Amy Abern, Executive Editor, tailsinc.com Â
The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), the Humane Society of Missouri (HSMO), and the Louisiana SPCA (LA/SPCA) have created Canine CODIS (Combined DNA Index System), the nation's first criminal dogfighting DNA database. The system was developed to help the criminal justice system investigate and prosecute dogfighting cases.
TN Bans Violent Felons from Having Vicious or Potentially Vicious Dogs
The Tennessee House of Representatives has by a vote of 88-4 concurred in a Senate amendment to H.B. 238. Under the amended version, it is a Class A misdemeanor for a person convicted of a violent felony to own, possess, or have custody or control of a vicious dog or a potentially vicious dog.
Hawaii Legislature to "Honor" Cockfighting?
The resolutions to honor cock fighting did not progress further this legislative session.
Update March 31, 2010: The Hawaii House of Representatives Tourism, Culture and International Committee has passed this resolution! The resolution, HCR 277/HR 199, has been sent back to this committee, however.
The Real Work of Stopping Animal Fighting
Update: The MO bill, H.B. 1689, died at the end of the legislative session.
Original report: The effort to strengthen animal fighting laws, to give law enforcement and prosecutors the tools to go after those who would so cruelly torture dogs and other animals, continues in the 2010 legislative session.
What Happened to "Genuine Remorse"?
Update Aug. 14: The Philadelphia Eagles have signed Michael Vick to a one year contract for $1.6 million with an option for a 2nd year for $5.2 million.
More Proposed Dog Fighting Laws ....Update
Update April 1, 2010: The Hawaii and Massachusetts bills did not pass. Â
