The Humane Society of the United States Testifies in Support of H.B. 415
At an Ohio House of Representatives Criminal Justice Committee hearing held today, The Humane Society of the United States testified in favor of a bill to increase the penalties for animal fighting. H.B. 415 would raise dogfighting from a class 4 felony to a class 3 felony and cockfighting from a misdemeanor to a class 4 felony.
"Animal fighting is cruel and barbaric, and should be punished with penalties that provide an adequate deterrent," said Dean Vickers, Ohio state director for The Humane Society of the United States. "Cockfighting and dogfighting exist solely for entertainment and gambling purposes. These gruesome activities have no socially redeemable value."
Making cockfighting a felony in Ohio would equate the Buckeye State with its neighboring states of Indiana, Michigan and Pennsylvania, which all designate felony-level penalties for the crime. The current class 4 misdemeanor penalties for cockfighting in Ohio are no greater than those of a speeding ticket. States with weak laws have become magnets for cockfighters, who view such penalties as simply the cost of doing business. The illegal transport of fighting birds can also spread deadly diseases to people and poultry.
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.
About Cockfighting:
- Tens of thousands of people are involved in cockfighting nationwide.
- Common cockfighting practices include breeding birds for viciousness, drugging them to heighten aggression, and fitting their legs with razor-sharp knives or gaffs resembling ice picks.
- Law enforcement raids across the country have revealed that cockfights, which are frequently attended by children, involve illegal gambling and — as a result of the large amount of cash present — firearms and other weapons are also often present.
- Law enforcement officials have documented a strong connection between cockfighting and the distribution of illegal drugs.
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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.
