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The HSUS Applauds Assemblymember Pedro Nava's Introduction of Felony Dogfighting Bill

The Humane Society of the United States, the nation's largest animal protection organization with 1.2 million supporters in the Golden State, commends Assemblymember Pedro Nava, D-Santa Barbara, for introducing a bill to strengthen the state's animal fighting laws.

"Spectators provide the fuel for dogfighting through their admission fees and wagers," Eric Sakach, director of The HSUS' West Coast Regional Office. "Assemblyman Nava has a proven track record as a champion of animal protection legislation in California, and The Humane Society of the United States stands with him in the effort to crack down on the audience that enables the dogfighting industry to thrive."

A.B. 2281 will make it a felony to be a spectator at a dogfight. The Humane Society of the United States recently ranked the 50 states on the strength of their laws to combat dogfighting, and California came in low at number 39, principally because the penalties for being a spectator are so weak. Under current law, participants frequently claim that their only involvement at a staged dogfight is as spectators, thereby avoiding any meaningful punishment.

"Recent events around the country brought to our consciousness this brutal and inhumane sport. It is imperative that California join the 19 other states which have made it a felony to be a spectator at a dogfight," said Nava. "I look forward to working with The Humane Society of the United States to get this measure to the Governor's desk to address this brutal sport."

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