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“As authorities have attested, dog fighting is a barbaric crime that often extends far beyond animal murder or cruelty,” the bill’s primary sponsor, Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean (R-Union, Somerset, Morris), said.
“Weapons and narcotics are frequently found at the scene of a fight, posing a threat to the safety and security of the community at large,” Kean said. “Amending current racketeering laws to include dog fighting will give law enforcement the tools they need to combat this pervasive underground industry, where dangerous individuals bet tens of thousands of dollars on a single fight, as innocent animals suffer, starve and die in horrifyingly inhuman conditions.”
If approved by the Assembly and then signed into law by Gov. Christie, the measure would establish dog fighting as a third-degree crime punishable by 3 to 5 years in prison and a fine of up to $15,000.
Leading a dog-fighting network would become a second-degree crime. If convicted, leaders of dog fighting rings would be subject to a term of 5 to 10 years in prison and a fine of $150,000.
“Dog fighting is an inhumane practice that exploits the natural allegiance of dogs to humans in brutal fights that cause injury and even death,” said co-sponsor State Sen. Raymond Lesniak (D-Union).
“Dog fighting is a crime and it should be treated that way and those who train dogs to fight and organize dog-fighting rings should be held accountable for their actions,” Lesniak said.
“They are doing it for their entertainment or to make money. They are trying to ‘make a sport’ out of the brutal treatment of animals who are ‘man’s best friends’,” he said. “This bill will upgrade penalties so that the law meets the severity of the crimes.”
The legislation also includes provisions to protect dog fighting survivors. Those convicted could be mandated to pay restitution to cover the cost of housing and medical treatment for the animals harmed as a result of dog fighting. Any property relating to the criminal enterprise could also be seized. The court could also prohibit those convicted from having future custody of an animal.
Kean cited an instance last month in which police discovered a large dog fighting ring in Paterson where more than 20 dogs and puppies were found “beaten, starved, and stuffed into trash cans.”
“Individuals who commit such unspeakably cruel offenses can easily escalate to abusing others in their community. This legislation will protect countless others from suffering the same fate.”
The bill defines “baiting” as attacking, provoking, or harassing an animal for the purpose of training the dog to behave violently accountable for their actions.
The court could also protect countless animals from harm by prohibiting those convicted of the charges from having future custody of any animal for any period of time.
PHOTO: Courtesy NSPCA – National Council of SPCAs
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