The Humane Society of the United States applauds Governor Ted Kulongoski for signing a bill that strengthens Oregon's dogfighting law. S.B. 1072, sponsored by Senate President Peter Courtney, D-Salem, makes knowingly attending a dogfight or possessing dogfighting paraphernalia in Oregon Class C felonies. Penalties for a Class C felony are up to five years of imprisonment and/or a maximum fine of $125,000.
"The Humane Society of the United States is grateful to Gov. Kulongoski, Sen. Courtney and the state legislature for strengthening our state law so that those involved in the despicable practice of dogfighting understand that they will not have refuge in Oregon," said Kelly Peterson, Oregon state director for The Humane Society of the United States.
Under the new law, advertising or otherwise offering to sell dogfighting equipment are also Class C felonies.
In 2007, The HSUS ranked the 50 states on the strength of their laws to combat dogfighting. Oregon ranked at number 28, lower than most states principally because the penalties for attending a dogfight were so weak. With Gov. Kulongoski's signature of the dogfighting law, Oregon has become the 21st state to enact felony penalties for attending a dogfight. This has moved the state up in the rankings and made Oregon's anti-dogfighting law one of the best in the country.
Dogfighting spectators are willing participants in this crime, and also perpetuate it by paying admission fees and wagering on the fights. Before S.B. 1072 became law, participants were able to claim they were only present at a dogfighting event as spectators, thereby avoiding any meaningful punishment. The new law targets those attending organized, deliberate animal fights yet protects bystanders who may have inadvertently come across a street fight.
This legislative success was possible thanks to the support of Oregon District Attorney's Association, Oregon Narcotics Enforcement Agency, Oregon State Sheriff's Association, Oregon Association Chiefs of Police, Oregon Animal Control Council and 26 other city and country law enforcement agencies.
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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.
