Idaho
Update: Dog Fighting Bill Signed Into Law
February 15, 2008 : 10:53 AM
Update: The Idaho legislature is following 48 other states and has made dog fighting a felony offense. Governor Butch Otter signed the legislation into law on February 25th.
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Legislation to make dog fighting a felony in Idaho won final passage in the House with a unanimous, 67-0 vote.
Today state lawmakers made it official to punish anyone involved in dog fighting with a felony. Lawmakers also increased the punishment to up to five years in jail with a possible $50,000 fine.
The state House of Representatives voted unanimously 67-0 in favor of the bill while the Senate approved it by a vote of 31-4. The law would extend Idaho's current statute which only punishes the dog's owners with a misdemeanor to anyone else who knowingly advertises, promotes, organizes or has a monetary interest in the fight with a felony.
Dog fighting has been a hot topic since former Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick was arrested for dog fighting. Since then Idaho has had a negative shadow cast over it, as it was one of only two states where the crime was punished only by a misdemeanor.
The bill, SB 1260, now goes to Gov. Butch Otter, who has pledged to sign it into law.
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