D.C. Council Considers Tougher Dogfighting Laws

June 6, 2007 - 10:19am

WASHINGTON - District officials are considering passing one of the toughest dogfighting laws in the country.

While participating in a dogfight is already a felony, members of the D.C. Council could make watching an illegal contest subject to five years in prison.

The council is hearing testimony Wednesday on changes to D.C.'s animal-cruelty laws. One measure would raise watching dogfights from misdemeanor to felony status.

Attending a dogfight is already a misdemeanor in the District, Maryland, Virginia and 25 other states. According to the Humane Society, owning dogs for fighting is a felony in most states.

According to Joan Shaffner of the George Washington University Law School's Animal Welfare Project, District prosecutors would only have to prove a person was at a dogfight to win a felony conviction.

Information from: The Washington Times

WASHINGTON - District officials are considering passing one of the toughest dogfighting laws in the country.

While participating in a dogfight is already a felony, members of the D.C. Council could make watching an illegal contest subject to five years in prison.

The council is hearing testimony Wednesday on changes to D.C.'s animal-cruelty laws. One measure would raise watching dogfights from misdemeanor to felony status.

Attending a dogfight is already a misdemeanor in the District, Maryland, Virginia and 25 other states. According to the Humane Society, owning dogs for fighting is a felony in most states.

Information from: The Washington Times

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