New Legislation Makes it More Difficult for Dogfighters to Repeat Dogfighting Offence

Smart Law
Punishing dogfighters with jail time is well deserved justice, but what if they go back to this illegal sport after they’re released? This past summer, Illinois Governor Pat Quinn signed into law some new legislation that prohibits convicted dogfighters from owning unsterilized dogs or those deemed vicious by a court, making it more difficult for perpetrators to return to the activity once they have served their time. The law is the first of its kind in the United States.
“This will give law enforcement more tools to crack down on people who fight dogs,” says Ledy VanKavage, senior legislative analyst for Best Friends Animal Society. “It will also help lessen the likelihood that convicted dogfighters, once released from prison, go back into the breeding business.” Best Friends, which took in 22 fighting dogs rescued from football star Michael Vick in 2007, helped get the bill to the governor’s desk.