Ban Puppy Mills

HB 3614—Felony Penalty for Animal/Cockfighting
Sponsor(s): Rep. Elizabeth Coulson
ASPCA Position: Support
Action Needed: Ask your state representative to vote for HB 3614.

Update, 3/21/07: Thanks to the hard work and testimony of the ASPCA’s own Ledy VanKavage?, Senior Director of Legal Training & Legislation, HB 3614 passed the House Judiciary II-Criminal Law Committee yesterday without a problem. The bill now awaits a vote by the full House!

HB 3614 will increase the penalty of animal fighting to a felony. Dog fighting is already a felony under state law, but other forms of animal fighting, including cockfighting, are only misdemeanors—and misdemeanor penalties are ineffective for deterring animal fighting ventures. The minimal fines and fees associated with misdemeanors are inconsequential, as the payoff for a successful fight far outweighs the risk of having to pay a meager fine. These fines are viewed by animal fighters merely as a “cost of doing business.”
Animal fighting negatively impacts public safety. The environments surrounding these activities have proven to promote organized crime, juvenile crime, gang activity, trafficking of illegal drugs and narcotics, illegal wagering and gambling, and child endangerment. Animal fighting fosters a generally pervasive attitude that violence is not only acceptable, but a means of entertainment. It is also a fact that violence toward animals is a precursor to violence toward humans.

This bill is currently pending a vote by the entire Illinois House of Representatives. Please call your state representative to ask that they support felony provisions for animal fighting.

Visit www.aspca.org</p>