The HSUS Applauds Maryland Lawmakers for Passing Bill to Crack Down on Dogfighting

February 28, 2008

ANNAPOLIS, Md. — The Humane Society of the United States thanks the Maryland House of Delegates for passing H.B. 719, legislation that will toughen the state's law to combat illegal dogfighting. H.B. 719, sponsored by Delegate James Malone, D-Baltimore and Howard Counties, increases the penalty for being a knowing spectator at an animal fight to a maximum of one year in prison and/or a $2,500 fine. The Senate unanimously passed an identical bill, S.B. 44, sponsored by Senator Norman Stone, D-Baltimore County, last Thursday.

"People who fuel the underground dogfighting industry in Maryland with their admission fees and gambling profits currently face weaker penalties than those who steal cable television, race a horse under a false name or play a game of craps," said Michael Markarian, executive vice president for The Humane Society of the United States. "It's time for the punishment to fit the crime, and for the bloodthirsty psychopaths who promote and finance the torture of dogs to face more than just a slap on the wrist." 

In an HSUS ranking of the nation's state dogfighting laws, Maryland ranked at a low 40th, in part because of its low penalties for spectators (90 days and/or a $1,000 fine). S.B. 44 and H.B. 719 target those who willingly attend an organized animal fight by increasing penalties for spectators. The bills would have originally made it a felony to be a spectator at a dogfight, a tougher penalty that dogfighting spectators already face in 19 other states, including those in the region like Pennsylvania and New Jersey. The HSUS expressed its disappointment that the legislation was amended from a felony to a stronger misdemeanor, but still heralded the bill as a step in the right direction.

Spectators of animal fights are willing participants in this crime, and also perpetuate it by paying admission fees and wagering on the fights. Dogfighters often blend into the crowd when the events are raided and claim they were only attending as spectators, thereby avoiding any meaningful punishment.

The legislation is expected to receive final approval by both chambers, and be sent to Governor O'Malley for his signature.

For more information about animal fighting, visit humanesociety.org/animalfighting.

-30-