Senate Bill S6540

                                BILL NUMBER:S6540                REVISED 5/15/14

TITLE OF BILL:  An act to amend the agriculture and markets law, in
relation to the possession of a fighting animal and being a spectator at
an exhibition of animal fighting

PURPOSE: Makes the possession of an animal trained to fight and being a
spectator at an exhibition of animal fighting, a felony punishable by
imprisonment of up to 5 years and a fine of up to $15,000.

SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:

Section One - amends paragraph (a) of subdivision 3 of section 351 of
the agriculture and markets law by adding chapter 150 of the laws of
1984 to read as follows: Any person who engages in conduct specified in
paragraph (b) of this subdivision is guilty of a felony punishable by a
determinate term of imprisonment of no less than three years nor more
than five years, or by a fine not to exceed fifteen thousand dollars, or
by both fine and imprisonment.

Section Two - amends paragraph (a) of subdivision 5 of section 351 of
the agriculture and markets law, by chapter 332 of the laws of 2011 to
read as follows: Any person who engages in the conduct specified in
paragraph (b) of this subdivision is guilty of a felony punishable by a
determinate term of imprisonment of no less than three years nor more
than five years, or by a fine not to exceed fifteen thousand dollars or
              

by both fine and imprisonment.

Section Three - This act shall take effect immediately on the thirtieth
day it shall have become a law and shall only apply to offenses commit-
ted on or after such date.

JUSTIFICATION: According to the Humane Society of the United States the
injuries inflicted and sustained by the dogs participating in the dog
fighting events are often extremely severe and fatal. Dogs are trained
to inflict as much pain as possible on their opponent, and a dog with a
stronger jaw is more desirable to be able to cause the most pain and
damage possible to win the fight.

These events are very illegal and promotes violence, disrespect for the
law, and illegal gambling. Dog fighting yields large profits due to the
illegal gambling so a minimal fine to these individuals is less than a
slap on the wrist, there is no incentive for them to stop. Any spectator
taking place in and of these events is just as guilty as the person
whose dog is fighting the other.

By increasing the cost of the fine and the amount of years on the
sentencing date to both individuals taking part in the dog fighting and
the spectators, this will make it harder on these individuals found
guilty of taking place in any type of dog fighting. This legislation
will both increase the amount of the fine which is currently at only

five hundred dollars, and increases the charges to a felony and increas-
ing the sentencing time.

LEGISLATIVE HISTORY: New Bill.

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:  None to State.

EFFECTIVE DATE: This act shall take effect immediately on the thirtieth
day it shall have become a law and shall only apply to offenses commit-
ted on or after such date.