February 21, 2008 - Nava Announces New CA Dog Fighting Legislation

Sacramento – Assemblymember Nava has introduced legislation sponsored by the Humane Society of the United States to elevate spectatorship at a dogfight from a misdemeanor to a felony. California is the only Western state in which dogfight spectators are prosecuted as misdemeanants.

“California must join the other 19 states which have made it a felony to be a spectator at a dogfight,” said Nava. “If you are thinking about going to a dogfight, say goodbye to your family, your job and your future. I want you in prison. I look forward to working with the Humane Society to advance AB 2281 to the Governor’s desk to address this brutal crime.”

Dogfighting is a “sadistic contest” in which two dogs are placed in a pit to fight each other for the spectators’ entertainment and gambling. Dogfights end when one of the dogs will not or cannot continue. Unfortunately, dogs that are used in fights often die of blood loss, shock, dehydration, exhaustion or infection.

Under current state law, it is a felony to own or train a dog to fight with another dog; to cause any dog to fight with another dog; or to permit a dogfight to occur on one’s property. It is only a misdemeanor to attend a dogfight.

Spectators provide much of the profits associated with dogfighting. The money generated by admission fees and gambling helps to keep this crime alive. It is estimated that 40,000 people are involved in this blood sport resulting in injury or death to nearly 250,000 dogs annually. Law enforcement projects that at least 100,000 additional persons participate in ‘street level’ dogfights.

Dogfights come hand-in-hand with a host of other concerns including illegal gambling, illegal drugs, and the presence of firearms and other weapons due to the large amount of cash on hand. Perhaps most disturbingly, young children are sometimes present at events which can promote insensitivity to animal suffering, enthusiasm for violence, and a lack of respect for the law.

Last year, dogfighting was brought to the nation's attention due to a number of high profile cases. According to recent national statistics, it is estimated that 40,000 people are involved in organized dogfighting and an additional 100,000 are street-level fighters and more than 250,000 dogs die annually. In addition recent studies have shown a direct correlation between those arrested for animal abuse, including dogfighting, were also arrested for violent crimes against people.

AB 2281 is presently awaiting a vote in the California Assembly Committee on Public Safety. Please take a moment to contact the members of this committee and urge them to vote in favor of this important measure.

AB 2281 - California Assembly Committee on Public Safety

• Senator Jose Solario - Chair .................916-319-2069......... Assemblymember.solorio@assembly.ca.gov
• Senator Greg Aghazerian........................916-319-2026......... Assemblymember.aghazarian@assembly.ca.gov
• Senator Joel Anderson............................916-319-2077......... Assemblymember.Anderson@assembly.ca.gov
• Senator Hector De La Torre....................916-319-2050......... Assemblymember.DeLaTorre@assembly.ca.gov
• Senator Fiona Ma......................................916-319-2012......... Assemblymember.Ma@assembly.ca.gov
• Senator Anthony J. Portantino.................916-319-2044......... Assemblymember.Portantino@assembly.ca.gov

(Click HERE to track AB 2281 through the CA State Legislature)