Governor Martin O’Malley Signs Law Increasing Animal Fighting Penalties

May 13, 2008

The Humane Society of the United States applauds Gov. Martin O'Malley for signing legislation that will toughen Maryland's law to combat illegal animal fighting. The new law 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.

"Before Maryland lawmakers passed this legislation, criminals who fueled the underground dogfighting industry with admission fees and gambling profits faced weaker penalties than those who steal cable or play a game of craps," said Michael Markarian, executive vice president for The Humane Society of the United States. "The Humane Society of the United States is glad to know that animal fighting spectators in Maryland will now be facing more stringent punishment for supporting such sick, cruel acts." 

Delegate James Malone, D-Baltimore and Howard Counties sponsored H.B. 719, and a companion bill, S.B. 44, was sponsored by Sen. Norman Stone, D-Baltimore County. 

In a 2007 ranking of the nation's state dogfighting laws by The HSUS, Maryland ranked at a low 40th, in part because of its low penalties for spectators (90 days and/or a $1,000 fine). The bills would have originally made it a felony to be a spectator at a dogfight, a tougher penalty that dogfighting spectators already face in 22 other states, including neighboring Pennsylvania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.

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

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