U.S. is Cracking Down on Dogfighting
Michael Vick’s dogfighting case really propelled this ancient bloodsport into the news.
New York just made being a spectator at a dogfight a misdemeanor rather than an infraction…Hawaii just made being a spectator at a dogfight a felony…tomorrow, Wisconsin is hosting a “ride to end dogfighting”…an Ohio grand jury just charged a man with three felony counts of dogfighting. The list goes on and on…
And California’s dogfighting laws are nothing to scoff at. Simply attending a dog fight subjects you to up to one year in jail and a maximum $5,000 fine. Training, possessing or encouraging a dog to engage in dogfighting subjects you to up to three years in the California state prison and a maximum $50,000 fine. And federal penalties for dogfighting go as high as five years in prison and a maximum $250,000 fine.
And because additional criminal activity often accompanies dogfights, these penalties could easily increase, leading to a substantial prison sentence. If you are arrested for your involvement in a California dogfight, be sure to contact a skilled California criminal attorney who understands the legal defenses that are applicable to this very serious charge.
