Is NJ’s bill criminalizing dogfighting enough? -poll
A measure was approved by a judiciary committee this week that would put two new laws in place to punish those who either participate or run dogfighting rings.
Jim has discussed numerous times on the show how NJ needs stronger penalties for those who abuse animals. This bill may be a step in the right direction. As it stands now, dogfighting is not a crime in NJ.
The bill is two-fold. The bill would punish not only those who run dogfighting rings, but part of the bill would punish anyone caught participating in or betting on a dogfight. Even someone who just witnesses a dogfight can be charged as well.
Dog-fighting would be a third-degree crime carrying a prison sentence of 3-to-5 years and a $15,000 fine. A person who trains a dog for a fight, participates in a dogfight, gambles or witnesses the fight, would be charged under that offense.
The bill would also punish those found guilty of a running a dogfighting network as a 2nd-degree crime and would be punishable with a prison term of 5 to 10 years and a fine of $150,000.
What do you think of the dogfighting bill? Do you think it is enough to finally deter this horrible treatment of dogs?