Georgia Governor Signs Bill to Strengthen Dogfighting Law

May 6, 2008

The HSUS Applauds Gov. Sonny Perdue for Taking a Bite Out of Dogfighting

ATLANTA — The Humane Society of the United States applauds Gov. Sonny Purdue for signing a bill strengthening the state's dogfighting law. Rep. Bobby Reese, R-Sugar Hill, and Sen. Chip Rogers, R-Woodstock, sponsored the anti-dogfighting measure. The new law makes it a felony to own, possess, train, transport or sell any dog for the intention of dogfighting. 

"The Humane Society of the United States thanks the state legislature and Gov. Perdue for giving Georgia's law enforcement agencies the tools they need to stamp out this cruel blood sport," said Wayne Pacelle, president and CEO of The Humane Society of the United States. "We hope the law will deter people from ever heading down the road of participation in dogfights."

Dogfighting is a felony in Georgia. The new law assigns first-time offenders a penalty of one to five years imprisonment, a minimum fine of $5,000 or both.

In 2006, The HSUS compiled rankings of state dogfighting laws. At that time Georgia had the nation's third-weakest law, but in the aftermath of the Michael Vick case, Idaho and Wyoming enacted stronger laws, dropping Georgia to last place. Gov. Perdue's signature now places Georgia's ranking among the states with the strongest dogfighting laws.

About Dogfighting:

• Dogfighting is a highly-organized criminal industry; more than 250,000 dogs are placed in dogfighting pits each year.
• The HSUS estimates that 40,000 people are involved in organized dogfighting and an additional 100,000 are street-level fighters.
• A Chicago Police Department study showed that 65 percent of people charged with animal abuse crimes — including dogfighting — were also charged with violent crimes against people.

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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.