Trying to bite animal fighting
Brian Stewart - The Daily Iowan
Issue date: 4/8/08 Section: Metro
Iowa legislators compromised Monday in a move that could eliminate the possibility of felony charges for first-time dogfighting spectators.
Instead, a newly proposed amendment to House File 2381 would keep the punishment for first-offense spectators an aggravated misdemeanor but increase subsequent violations to Class C felonies, said Rep. Jim Lykam, D-Davenport.
He met with other representatives - including Rep. Rick Olson, D-Des Moines, who previously contested the legislation - to discuss alternative amendments in hope of passing the bill.
"That's the pecking order they have for torture cases so, in my opinion, that made some sense," Olson said. "Is dogfighting worse than torturing your dog?"
Under current law, participating in dogfighting or raising dogs for recreational fighting are Class D felonies - each charge punishable by up to five years in prison and a $7,500 fine.
But charges against spectators are lacking, said Tom Colvin, the executive director of the Animal Rescue League of Iowa.
A spectator at an animal fight is currently charged with an aggravated misdemeanor - punishable by as little as a $500 fine and no jail time.
Colvin noted that when police raid an animal fight, they might be catching the third or fourth battle of the gathering.
"Law-enforcement people tell us when they get in there for an animal fight, suddenly everyone becomes a spectator," Colvin said.
Participants of the first or second match, or owners of dogs not actively fighting during the raid, use the "loophole" to avoid being charged with a felony.
"We want to close these loopholes that dogfighters can exploit when caught in the act," said John Goodwin, the manager of animal-fighting issues for the Humane Society of the United States.
The Humane Society has petitioned lawmakers in several states, including Iowa, to vote for more severe punishment for spectators.
"We realized that we need to make sure that law enforcement has the tools to really send a message that dogfighting is not going to be tolerated," Colvin said.
Instead, a newly proposed amendment to House File 2381 would keep the punishment for first-offense spectators an aggravated misdemeanor but increase subsequent violations to Class C felonies, said Rep. Jim Lykam, D-Davenport.
He met with other representatives - including Rep. Rick Olson, D-Des Moines, who previously contested the legislation - to discuss alternative amendments in hope of passing the bill.
"That's the pecking order they have for torture cases so, in my opinion, that made some sense," Olson said. "Is dogfighting worse than torturing your dog?"
Under current law, participating in dogfighting or raising dogs for recreational fighting are Class D felonies - each charge punishable by up to five years in prison and a $7,500 fine.
But charges against spectators are lacking, said Tom Colvin, the executive director of the Animal Rescue League of Iowa.
A spectator at an animal fight is currently charged with an aggravated misdemeanor - punishable by as little as a $500 fine and no jail time.
Colvin noted that when police raid an animal fight, they might be catching the third or fourth battle of the gathering.
"Law-enforcement people tell us when they get in there for an animal fight, suddenly everyone becomes a spectator," Colvin said.
Participants of the first or second match, or owners of dogs not actively fighting during the raid, use the "loophole" to avoid being charged with a felony.
"We want to close these loopholes that dogfighters can exploit when caught in the act," said John Goodwin, the manager of animal-fighting issues for the Humane Society of the United States.
The Humane Society has petitioned lawmakers in several states, including Iowa, to vote for more severe punishment for spectators.
"We realized that we need to make sure that law enforcement has the tools to really send a message that dogfighting is not going to be tolerated," Colvin said.
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