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New Jersey Lawmakers to Crack Down on Dogfighting

Michael Vick reported to prison this week to begin serving a federal sentence on dogfighting charges, but the case is having a ripple effect around the country. State Assemblyman Neil M. Cohen (D-20th), Deputy Speaker of the Assembly, has introduced a bill seeking to strengthen New Jersey's law against dogfighting. The Humane Society of the United States thanked Assemblyman Cohen for working to crack down on this cruel and degrading bloodsport, and urged the New Jersey state legislature to pass the bill before the end of the year.

Cohen's bill, A. 4542, would prohibit the import and export of animals for fighting, stealing an animal for fighting, as well as conspiring to organize, participate in or train animals for fighting. The bill also raises all animal fighting crimes to a second degree felony and increases the maximum fines associated with animal fighting. Additionally, A. 4542 allows assets or property used in animal fighting to be seized.

"Americans have no tolerance for dogfighting, and New Jersey is leading the way in giving law enforcement agencies the tools they need to eradicate these cruel and degrading spectacles," said Michael Markarian, executive vice president of The Humane Society of the United States. "We are grateful to Assemblyman Cohen for working to rid the Garden State of dogfighting and the other crimes associated with it. The legislature should quickly pass this bill into law and give dogfighting the knock-out punch."

"For years psychological experts have documented animal abuse as a stepping stone to violence against humans," said Cohen. "By increasing the penalties associated with animal fighting, we stand to do more than just prevent defenseless animals from being forced to battle for survival. We stand to deter abusers from ever taking the fateful step from animal violence to human violence."

A separate bill in the U.S. Congress would make dogfighting a federal felony nationwide, and would also ban the possession of dogs for fighting and being a spectator at a dogfight. Several members of New Jersey's Congressional delegation—including U.S. Senators Frank Lautenberg (D) and Robert Menendez (D) and U.S. Reps. Mike Ferguson (R-7th), Rodney Frelinghuysen (R-11th), Frank LoBiondo (R-2nd), Frank Pallone (D-6th), Bill Pascrell (D-8th), Donald Payne (D-10th), Steve Rothman (D-9th), Jim Saxton (R-3rd), Albio Sires (D-13th), and Chris Smith (R-4th)—are co-sponsors of that legislation.

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