The HSUS Urges Georgia Legislature to Enact Dogfighting Bill Quickly After Cobb County Raid

March 25, 2008

Monday's Raid Underscores Need for Final Passage of Anti-Dogfighting Legislation and Sending the Measure to Governor's Desk 

The Humane Society of the United States urged the Georgia General Assembly to take the actions needed to enact H.B. 301, a bill that would strengthen the state's anti-dogfighting law. This plea comes on the heels of Monday's dogfighting raid by the Cobb County Police Department in which seven people were arrested for charges including marijuana possession, trafficking in cocaine, illegal weapons possession, animal cruelty and dogfighting. Eleven dogs and five puppies were seized along with dogfighting paraphernalia, guns and drugs. 

"If there was ever any question that dogfighting is a serious problem in Georgia and that the state needs a major upgrade of its law to combat dogfighting, the faces of the more than 16 pit bulls seized in Cobb County made it clear," said Wayne Pacelle, president and CEO of The Humane Society of the United States. "Georgia needs meaningful penalties to prevent dogfighting and every day that goes by without action on the current legislation is another day these animals are not getting the protection they deserve."

Under H.B. 301, the penalties for dogfighting would be upgraded to a minimum fine of $5,000 or one to five years in prison. Additionally, the bill would make it illegal to be a spectator at a dogfight as well as outlaw the owning, breeding, purchase or transport of a dog for the purpose of fighting or baiting. The House and Senate have both passed bills to increase penalties for dogfighting, but further action is needed to reconcile the two bills and send the legislation to the Governor.

"We applaud the Cobb County Police Department for taking action in this case and Cobb County Animal Control for getting the animals to safety. Now we urge the General Assembly to reconcile these bills so Governor Perdue can give law enforcement the tools it needs to put an end to dogfighting in the state," Pacelle added.

Yesterday's arrests were made as a result of a tip from The HSUS and a two-month investigation into possible dogfighting and illegal drug activity at the residence on South Gordon Road. The HSUS has been working with an Atlanta-based national corporate security agency to provide Georgia residents with a toll-free line where they can report dogfighting: 877-TIP-HSUS (847-4787).

Georgia is currently the only state in the nation where it is legal both to own fighting dogs and to attend dogfights. Governors in Idaho and Wyoming have already signed bills in 2008 upgrading the anti-dogfighting laws in those states, leaving Georgia's law as the weakest in the nation according to a ranking by The HSUS.

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The Humane Society of the United States is the nation's largest animal protection organization — backed by 10.5 million Americans, or one of every 30. For more than a half-century, The HSUS has been fighting for the protection of all animals through advocacy, education and hands-on programs. Celebrating animals and confronting cruelty — On the web at humanesociety.org.