miakoda
01-27-2006, 12:09 PM
Legislation proposed to curb dog fighting
By Crystal Lindell
SPRINGFIELD — Lawmakers attempting to curb dog fighting throughout Illinois have proposed new legislation that would increase the penalties for participants.
“We have chance to tell the criminals of this state that we will not tolerate the violence anymore,” said Rep. Linda Chapa LaVia, D-Aurora, the bill’s sponsor.
With the new legislation, police would be able to prosecute just by finding dog-fighting paraphernalia, such as a cat mill, which requires a dog to chase a small animal.
Currently dog-fighting participants only are charged with a misdemeanor. But the new legislation would make it a felony, which carries a maximum three years jail sentence and up to $25,000 in fines. It also would become a felony to allow children under 13 to watch.
The measure also requires training for law enforcement about dog fighting.
“We’re sending law enforcement agents out onto the streets and not giving them tools to look to what might be a dangerous sign of a dog behind a dog,” Chapa LaVia said.
Chapa LaVia said dog fighters can make $10,000 to $20,000 in one fight. The fights also play host to other illegal activities such as drug dealing and coordinating crimes, she said.
Crystal Lindell can be contacted at
(217) 789-0865 or crystal.lindell@lee.net (crystal.lindell@lee.net).
By Crystal Lindell
SPRINGFIELD — Lawmakers attempting to curb dog fighting throughout Illinois have proposed new legislation that would increase the penalties for participants.
“We have chance to tell the criminals of this state that we will not tolerate the violence anymore,” said Rep. Linda Chapa LaVia, D-Aurora, the bill’s sponsor.
With the new legislation, police would be able to prosecute just by finding dog-fighting paraphernalia, such as a cat mill, which requires a dog to chase a small animal.
Currently dog-fighting participants only are charged with a misdemeanor. But the new legislation would make it a felony, which carries a maximum three years jail sentence and up to $25,000 in fines. It also would become a felony to allow children under 13 to watch.
The measure also requires training for law enforcement about dog fighting.
“We’re sending law enforcement agents out onto the streets and not giving them tools to look to what might be a dangerous sign of a dog behind a dog,” Chapa LaVia said.
Chapa LaVia said dog fighters can make $10,000 to $20,000 in one fight. The fights also play host to other illegal activities such as drug dealing and coordinating crimes, she said.
Crystal Lindell can be contacted at
(217) 789-0865 or crystal.lindell@lee.net (crystal.lindell@lee.net).