WASHINGTON—The HSUS applauds West Virginia Governor Bob Wise
for signing legislation that raises the penalties for
dogfighting to a felony and prohibits attendance at dogfights.
West Virginia joins 46 other states that make dogfighting a
felony. Only in Idaho, Iowa and Wyoming is dogfighting still a
misdemeanor. West Virginia's new felony law covers many other
forms of animal fighting, but excludes cockfighting.
"Governor Wise is to be commended for giving West Virginia
law enforcement another tool to combat dogfighting within its
borders," said Wayne Pacelle, a HSUS senior vice president.
"West Virginia will no longer be an attractive destination for
dogfighters to conduct this barbaric criminal activity."
The bill originally introduced by Del. John Overington
(R-55, Martinsburg) included protection for roosters, which are
used in cockfighting, but committee action narrowed the bill to
exclude roosters. The original bill was supported by dozens of
West Virginia law enforcement organizations.
It was through the efforts of Del. Overington, Sen. Jeffrey
Kessler (D-2, Glendale) and Del. John Amores (D-30, Charleston)
that these bills to protect animals were successfully adopted
into West Virginia law.
"There is no moral or practical rationale for treating dog
fighting and cockfighting any differently," said Sandy Rowland,
Director of the HSUS' Great Lakes Regional Office. "The new
felony law goes a long way to protect dogs and other animals,
but West Virginia still needs to address its problem of
cockfighting."
The HSUS has been tracking an increase in animal fighting
activity in West Virginia, and investigators have reported that
animal fighters are coming from other states to West Virginia
to fight their dogs and roosters. Animal fighters breed animals
for viciousness, often drug them, and have them fight to death
or injury for amusement and illegal gambling. Law enforcement
has long recognized the well-documented association between
illegal animal fighting and large-scale narcotics trafficking,
gang activity, illegal gambling, the use and sale of illegal
firearms, and in many cases violence against people.
In March, Governor Wise signed two other bills into law that
help animals. S.B. 205, "the Groucho Act," makes West Virginia
the 40th state to provide felony penalties for intentional
torture or malicious killing of an animal. The bill was named
for an Ohio County woman's dog "Groucho" who was struck and
killed by a hit-and-run driver. H.B. 2301 provides for the
owner of an animal seized for animal cruelty violations to pay
the costs of the animal's care.
"West Virginia law makers have shown strong support for
animal issues," Pacelle said. "These felony laws act as crime
deterrents which work to protect both the citizens and animals
of West Virginia. We hope that West Virginia will continue its
progress by working to outlaw cockfighting. West Virginia law
enforcement organizations support the need for stronger laws to
wipe out this cruel and archaic 'bloodsport', which, like
dogfighting, attracts a host of other criminal activities that
no one should want to be a part of."
For more information on animal fighting, go to
www.animalfighting.org.
