The HSUS Applauds Virginia Senate for Unanimously Passing Legislation to Crack Down on Animal Fighting

February 5, 2008

Group Urges Va. House of Delegates to Pass H.B. 656

RICHMOND, Va. — The Humane Society of the United States praised the Virginia Senate for passing legislation that will strengthen Virginia's animal fighting law and called on the House to take swift action. If this legislation becomes law, Virginia will have one of the nation's most effective laws to eradicate cockfighting and dogfighting.

S.B. 592, introduced by Sen. Tommy Norment (R-Williamsburg), passed the Senate today by a 39 to 0 vote. A companion bill, H.B. 656, was introduced by House Majority Leader H. Morgan Griffith (R-Salem).

The legislation will toughen Virginia's animal fighting penalties by making cockfighting a Class 6 felony, attendance at an animal fight a Class 1 misdemeanor, and allowing a minor to attend or participate in an animal fight a Class 1 misdemeanor.

"The Virginia Senate sent a strong message to animal fighters today: This despicable conduct should be prosecuted with strong laws and meaningful punishment," said John Goodwin, manager of animal fighting issues for The Humane Society of the United States. "The House Appropriations committee will now determine if Virginia will make a strong stand against animal fighting or continue to be a haven for this criminal behavior."

Additionally, the bill will permit searches regarding animal cruelty cases to be conducted after sunset without more authorization, make it a Class 6 felony to use any device or substance to enhance an animal's ability to fight, provide for streamlining of the forfeiture of animals so that they don't have to be held for years without resolution to the case, and ensure that bond will now have to be posted if an owner is contesting the forfeiture of fighting animals. 

Animal fighting is associated with illegal gambling, organized crime, drug trafficking, illegal guns, and homicides. Firearms and other weapons are common at animal fights, mainly because of the large amounts of cash present. A raid last year in Mecklenburg County resulted in the arrest of MS13 and Mexican Mafia members by the Department of Homeland Security. Illegal gambling, narcotics and children as young as the age of 4 were present at the pit.

The organizations and officials backing this legislative effort include:

• Governor Tim Kaine
• Attorney General Bob McDonnell
• Twenty local and county law enforcement agencies throughout the state
• The Humane Society of the United States
• Richmond Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
• Virginia Federation of Humane Societies
• Virginia Animal Fighting Task Force
• Virginia Animal Control Association
• Richmond Animal Care & Control
• Virginia Anti-Dogfighting Coalition
• Virginia Poultry Federation
• Virginia Sheriffs' Association
• Delmarva Poultry Industry Inc.
• Virginia Association of Commonwealth's Attorneys

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

Broadcast-quality footage and animal fighting images are available at video.hsus.org.

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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.