Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker has signed into law HB 168 which provides that a “court may order that a person and persons dwelling in the same household may not own, harbor, or have custody or control of any other animal if the person has been convicted of 2 or more of the following offenses: (1) a violation of aggravated cruelty; (2) a violation of animals for entertainment; or (3) a violation of dog fighting.”
Illinois Allows Barring Companion Animal Ownership in Households of Persons Convicted of Multiple Animal Cruelty Offenses
Louisiana Creates Crime of Unlawful Possession, Transfer, or Manufacture of Animal Fighting Paraphernalia
Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards has signed into law Senate Bill 144 which will prohibit the possession, purchase, sale, transfer, and manufacture of animal fighting paraphernalia “with the intent to engage in, promote, or facilitate animal fighting.” “Animal fighting paraphernalia” is defined as “equipment, products, implements, or materials of any kind that are used, intended for use, or designed for use in the training, preparation, conditioning, or furtherance of animal fighting” and includes but is not limited to “breaking sticks, cat mills, treadmills, fighting pits, spring poles, unprescribed veterinary medicine, veterinary treatment supplies,” and “spurs, gaffs, knives, leather training spur covers, slashers, heels, or any other sharp implement designed to be attached in place of the natural spur of a cock or game fowl.” The new law exempts “items normally used in cockfighting that are at least five years old and have historical value” and “the training of animals or the use of [listed] equipment in the training of animals for any purpose not prohibited by law.”
Louisiana Considers Creating Crime of Unlawful Possession, Transfer, or Manufacture of Animal Fighting Paraphernalia
Louisiana Senate Bill 144 would make it unlawful to possess, purchase, sell, transfer, or manufacture animal fighting paraphernalia “with the intent to engage in, promote, or facilitate animal fighting.” “Animal fighting paraphernalia” is defined as “equipment, products, implements, or materials of any kind that are used, intended for use, or designed for use in the training, preparation, conditioning, or furtherance of animal fighting, and includes but is not limited to . . . breaking sticks, cat mills, treadmills, fighting pits, spring poles, unprescribed veterinary medicine, veterinary treatment supplies, [and] spurs, gaffs, knives, leather training spur covers, slashers, heels, or any other sharp implement designed to be attached in place of the natural spur of a cock or game fowl.”
Hawaii Considers Granting Civil Immunity to Veterinarians in Emergencies
Hawaii Senate Bill 609 would grant civil immunity to veterinarians who provide emergency care to an animal or render emergency treatment when there is no veterinarian-client-patient relationship in the absence of gross negligence. The bill would also require veterinarians to report animal injury or death to law enforcement when there is reasonable cause to believe that it relates to animal abuse or dog fighting.
Illinois Legislation Would Allow Courts to Ban Animal Custody for Repeat Cruelty Offenders
Illinois House Bill 168 would allow courts to prohibit a person convicted of two or more offenses of aggravated cruelty, violation of animals for entertainment, or dog fighting from having custody of any other animal.
Tennessee Considers Making Cockfighting a Felony
Tennessee Senate Bill 168 would elevate from a Class A misdemeanor to a Class E felony the crimes of keeping a cock for the purposes of cockfighting, causing a cock to fight or injure another animal, and aiding and abetting such activities.
First Circuit Upholds Puerto Rico Cockfighting Ban
The First Circuit has upheld a Puerto Rico law banning cockfighting, finding that the prohibition violates neither the Commerce Clause nor the First Amendment.
New York Considers Establishing Standards for Care of Retired Race Horses
New York Senate Bill 1442 would prohibit the slaughter of retired race horses and breeding stock, require that race horses and breeding horses be microchipped, and increase access to funding for the care of retired racing and breeding horses.
New York Legislation Would Make Promoting Enterprise Animal Fighting a Felony
New York Senate Bill 90 and Assembly Bill 696 would introduce a new felony level offense for enterprise animal fighting and consolidate existing definitions.
New York Considers Increased Penalties for Animal Fighting
New York Senate Bill 229 would increase penalties for engaging in animal fighting and require psychiatric evaluation and possible treatment for those convicted of the crime of aggravated cruelty to animals.