Animal Fighting in Washington State Becomes a Felony Offense

OLYMPIA, Wash. – Washington State today joined a growing number of states that are taking a hard line on animal fighting as Governor Christine Gregoire signed legislation strengthening the existing dog fighting law and increasing penalties for cockfighting as they will now both be class C felonies.  It also covers the act of stealing pets to be sacrificed as bait animals for training fighting dogs.

Gov. Gregoire signed the bill, which was sponsored by Rep. Tom Campbell (R-2) and Lynn Kessler (D-24), at a signing ceremony at the state capitol today.

"Animal fighting is not a spur-of-the-moment act.  It is a premeditated and cruel practice that deserves swift and certain punishment," said Robert Reder, director of the Pacific Northwest Regional Office for The Humane Society of the United States.  "We are grateful for the leadership and commitment of Representatives Campbell and Kessler to assure passage of this bill and to the Governor for her support."

Participants in animal fighting yield large profits from gambling.  Until now, animal fighters from nearby states such as Oregon, where the activity is already a felony, would relocate their animals and fighting paraphernalia to Washington.  Any fines and penalties incurred were simply considered "the cost of doing business." 

Currently, dogfighting is a felony in 48 states and cockfighting is a felony in 32 states counting Washington, with legislation to upgrade penalties pending in several other states. 

A nationwide trend to crack down on animal fighting has also spurred federal legislation that recently passed in the U.S. Senate to establish felony penalties for interstate and foreign movement of animals for fighting purposes.  Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-WA) is one of the original co-sponsors of this legislation and is a leader in the Senate on the issue.  Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA) has also lent her support to the bill.  

"We're hopeful that Congress will act quickly to give federal law enforcement the tools they need to help combat the violent and inhumane practice of animal fighting," said Wayne Pacelle, president and CEO of The HSUS.  "The federal government needs to be an active partner, working with state and local police, to crack down on this abhorrent industry."

A dogfighting case in Vancouver, Wash., highlights the critical need for tough animal fighting laws.  Last fall, police seized 21 pit bulls and evidence commonly associated with dogfighting from the rental property of a man with prior convictions for dogfighting in the San Francisco area.  Because he was not caught in the act of fighting the dogs, police were unable to charge him with a felony. Under the new state law, he could face felony charges which include up to five years in prison and a $10,000 fine.

The new law also makes certain acts of animal cruelty a class C felony as well.  Punishable actions include starvation, dehydration or suffocation of an animal that results in unnecessary or unjustifiable physical pain or death.

The Humane Society of the United States is the nation's largest animal protection organization representing more than nine million members and constituents. The non-profit organization is a mainstream voice for animals, with active programs in companion animals and equine protection, disaster preparedness and response, wildlife and habitat protection, animals in research and farm animal welfare. The HSUS protects all animals through education, investigation, litigation, legislation, advocacy, and field work. The group is based in Washington and has numerous field representatives across the country.