A bill that would make dogfighting a felony in Wyoming is on its way to the Senate floor.
The Senate Travel, Recreation, Wildlife and Cultural Resources Committee gave its blessing to the bill Tuesday morning after a short discussion. The House already approved the measure.
House Bill 46 would make it a felony to own or train dogs for fighting. It imposes a maximum penalty of two years in prison and a $5,000 fine under the state's existing aggravated animal cruelty statute.
The endorsement comes one day after Idaho Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter signed that state's dogfighting bill, making Wyoming the only state where dogfighting is considered a minor offense. Supporters of HB 46 insist that Wyoming could become a safe haven for dogfighting if the bill fails. They also point out that the sport is closely linked with illegal drugs, guns, violence, prostitution and other crimes.
Sen. Pat Aullman, R-Thayne, said it's time for the Legislature to take steps to prevent the state from becoming a dogfighting destination.
"Finally, we are going to be ahead of the game and say, 'You are not going to come here and do that,'" Aullman said.
Sen. Bob Fecht, R-Cheyenne, who is also the Cheyenne police chief, said examples of dogfighting in the state are rare, but it does happen.
"It's not that it has not happened at all," Fecht told the committee.
Some livestock groups, originally concerned about the legislation, supported the bill Tuesday.
The Wyoming Livestock Board, the Wyoming Wool Growers Association and the Wyoming Horse Council all gave their blessing to the bill.
Rep. Rosie Berger, R-Big Horn, the bill sponsor, made a number of compromises to win across-the-board support for the bill. That included removing a provision that would have allowed local animal-control officers to pursue animal cruelty cases.
Livestock groups feared the officers would lack the training to differentiate between animal cruelty and acceptable livestock practices. There was also concern that unarmed officers could get into trouble if they tried to pursue criminal dogfighting operations.
The dogfighting bill also received a big boost from the very public prosecution of Atlanta Falcons star Michael Vick for a dogfighting operation on his property in Virginia last year.
Nancy Higgins, a dog owner from Cheyenne who testified at the committee meeting Tuesday, said it's critical for the state to take a strong stand against dogfighting.
She said that by turning a blind eye dogfighting, the state could be encouraging violence against people.
"If they commit these crimes to animals, what are they going to do to people?" Higgins said.
http://www.jacksonholestartrib.com/articles/2008/02/26/news/legislature/doc47c4d1d150781263514245.txt