Staff Analysis of the Legislation
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This bill prohibits dog fighting and related conduct. Any person who owns, possesses, trains, transports, or sells any dog with the intent that such dog shall be engaged in an exhibition of fighting with another dog and wagers money or anything of value on the result of dog fighting, shall be guilty of a felony. Previously, this violation was a misdemeanor. First conviction shall be punished by imprisonment of not less than one nor more than five years or a fine of not less than $5,000 or both. Second and subsequent convictions shall be punished by imprisonment of not less than one nor more than 10 years or a fine of not less than $15,000 or both. Any person who is knowingly present only as a spectator at any place for dog fighting shall, upon a first conviction, be guilty of a high and aggravated misdemeanor. On a second conviction, the person shall be guilty of a felony and punished by imprisonment of not less than one nor more than five years, a fine of not less than $5,000.00, or both such fine and imprisonment. On a third or subsequent conviction, the person shall be punished by imprisonment of not less than one nor more than ten years, a fine of not less than $15,000.00, or both such fine and imprisonment. Any dog subject to fighting may be impounded. |