Dogfighting is an illegal sport, but many individuals choose to set up underground dog fight operations anyway in order to make money or provide a betting sport for locals. The federal and state governments have laws that specifically ban dogfighting and make it illegal for anyone to own dogs for this purpose, own dogfighting operations, or attend a dogfighting operation. Only on Montana is it legal to attend a dog fight, but the state still makes it illegal to run a dog fighting operation or to own dogs for fighting.
In New Jersey, Colorado, Alabama, Louisiana, Ohio, North Carolina, Illinois, Colorado, Mississippi, Arizona, Virginia, Washington, Oregon, New Hampshire, Hawaii, Florida, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Delaware, Michigan New Mexico, Washington D.C., Oregon, Nebraska, Pennsylvania and Connecticut, it is a third degree felony to participate in dog fighting. The Humane Society of the United States reports that New Jersey has the strictest dogfighting penalties. Offenders who own dogs, fight dogs, or attend dog fights can be placed in prison for three to five years and dined up to $15,000 for the offense.
Dog fighting often takes place in discreet locations, but it is a very prevalent problem in the United States. This past month, a multi-state dogfighting operation was discovered and broken up. 367 dogs were involved in the operation and were suffering continuous abuse and brutality from owners. Officials at the Auburn Police Department in Alabama issued warrants in Alabama, Mississippi, Texas, and Georgia after a three-year investigation. Ten suspects were arrested on felony dogfighting charges, and the police seized $500,000 in cash, drugs, firearms, and dogfighting paraphernalia.
This is considered the second largest dogfighting bust in U.S. history, and points to the fact that while dogfighting is illegal in all 50 states there are still operations throughout the U.S. The ASPCA says that the dogs recovered from this bust were almost all emaciated. Many of the dogs were tethered to heavy chains and left in hot weather scratching at fleas. They had no fresh water or food, and were instead starved so that they would be more aggressive in the arena. The animals had wounds and scars due to past dog fights. One of the dogs, a female, had given birth to six puppies and was doing her best to tend to them while chained up in the yard and undernourished.
In every state, individuals can be fined for dog fighting and can be charged with serious felonies and put in jail for multiple years for being a part of this illegal operation. Dogfighting is considered a form of animal cruelty. The vicious animals often die from blood loss after a fight or will pass away from shock, dehydration, exhaustion, or infection after a violent fight. The state governments have made it illegal to watch dog fights in almost every fight because those that pay admission to watch the fight are keeping the sport alive. The government believes that if they can discourage the audience from coming, they can effectively kill the sport of dog fighting in the United States.
If you have been arrested for a dog fighting crime, you will want a criminal defense attorney on your side when you head to court. Hire a local lawyer who is familiar with the dogfighting laws in your state and can do his or her best to defend you during your trial. With so many states issuing felony penalties for dogfighting, you will want to make sure that you have a hardworking and dedicated defense attorney on your side. Locate a firm near you using this criminal defense directory today!
