Mo. Bill Makes Dog Fight Spectators Felons

February 29, 2008

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – The Missouri Senate is cracking down on dog fighting in its state. The Judiciary & Civil & Criminal Jurisprudence Committee meets on Monday to consider a law that would increase penalties for participating in the blood sport.

The committee heard Senate Bill 819, sponsored by Sen. Scott Rupp, (R-Wentzville), which would increase the state’s penalty for the second offense of dog fight spectators from a misdemeanor to a felony.

In regards to the animals involved in dog fighting rings, the bill would require a hearing within 30 days of a bust to determine their fate. Currently, the animals are held for months or years while the criminal charges of the owners are resolved.

While no one opposed the bill, it is up to the committee chairperson to release it to the Senate floor for a vote. A spokeswoman for Sen. Rupp did not yet know when that might happen.

Missouri is among several states in the 2008 legislative session taking on the issue of dog fighting. Lawmakers in Georgia, Maryland, Oregon and Iowa have already begun the push for cracking down on the illegal sport, while the Human Society Legislative Fund expects a total of 25 states to tighten laws on animal fighting this year.

The aim for most lawmakers is to close the loopholes surrounding the issue.

“Police who raid a dogfight have an extremely difficult time figuring out who should be charged with felony violations and who should be charged with misdemeanors,” said Senate President Peter Courtney, sponsor of Oregon’s felony spectator bill S.B. 1072. “That’s the case because every violator at the bust claims to be there as a spectator.”

Supporters of dog fighting-spectator legislation argue that the spectators are participating in organized crime for amusement and gambling profits.

The sticking point is that if spectators are deterred through tough penalties, then the amount of profits will be cut, which could reduce the sport’s financial gains and therefore the number of bouts.

Currently, in Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho and Montana, it is legal to be a spectator at a dog fight. In 19 states, attending a dog fight is a felony offense, and in 27 states it carries a misdemeanor count, punishable in some cases by just a $50 fine.

Also this session, Congress members at the national level are working to upgrade the federal anti-dog fighting law, hoping to include provisions similar to those being worked out in Missouri. Currently the bill, S. 1880, H.H. 3219 and H.R. 3327, has passed the Senate and is before the House.

To voice your support of the Dog Fighting Prohibition Act and the Federal Dog Protection Act (S. 1880, H.H. 3219 and H.R. 3327) call your U.S. Representative or Senators. They can be reached through the Capitol Switchboard at 202-224-3121.

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The Associated Press contributed to this report.