Dogfighting Now a Felony in All 50 States

Dogfighting is now a felony everywhere in the United States. On March 4, Wyoming Governor Dave Freudenthal signed legislation that increased the penalty in that state for participating in dogfighting from a misdemeanor to a felony, making it the 50th state in the country to do so.

Idaho passed similar legislation just a week earlier.

“For many years, the American Veterinary Medical Association has recommended that animal fighting be considered a felony offense in this country, giving it the legal classification and punishment that a blood sport of this sort deserves,” said Adrian Hochstadt, assistant director of State Legislative and Regulatory Affairs at AVMA. “The AVMA condemns any and all events involving animals in which injury or death is intended.”

The AVMA, which acts as a collective voice for its membership and for the profession, has followed the issue of dogfighting closely since it gained national attention last year after Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick was arrested and prosecuted for being involved with dogfighting.