Bill Calls For Stiffer Penalties On Cockfighting, Dogfighting

Boise, ID -- Boise -

Authorities recently busted two cockfighting rings in Elmore and Bingham counties.

"It's extremely cruel. It's a cruel sport and it's been recognized as being cruel for over a hundred years in this country," said Jeff Rosenthal, a veterinarian and executive director of Idaho Humane Society.

The Humane Society of the United States say Idahoans should be concerned, because cities like Boise and growing rural areas are especially susceptible to animal fighting using birds-- and dogs.

"In a statement by Sen. (John Eric) Ensign of Nevada in 2003, he stated that dogfights are moving to Idaho and Wyoming because the crime is only a misdemeanor," said Inga Gibson, program coordinator for the Human Society of the United States Pacific Northwest Regional Office.

That attraction was evident in Blackfoot last month when nearly twenty people from Nevada, California, and Utah were busted.

On Wednesday, Rep. Donna Boe introduced two bills that would make dogfighting and cockfighting felonies in Idaho.

"We know that cockfighting does exist in Idaho. I'm really not aware if dogfighting exists or not, but with this legislation, it would help to prevent it from coming to Idaho if it is not here already," Boe said.

The Humane Society of the United States and other groups say part of the problem is Idaho is one of only two states that does not treat dog fighting as a felony.

Supporters of this activity aren't easy to find, but make no mistake they do exist, often in secret.

"These are clandestine affairs, and I think they're difficult to bust and when they are busted, law enforcement needs better tools to keep it from happening again," Rosenthal said.

If Boe's bills are passed, many say they hope animal fights-- and the crime associated with them-- will stay out of Idaho for good.