Senate bill could tighten cock fighting laws

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NASHVILLE -- The Senate Judiciary Committee has approved legislation that would strengthen penalties against spectators and participants of cockfights, the Republican Senate Caucus announced in a press release.

The bill, sponsored by Sen. Bill Ketron (R-Murfreesboro), also closes a loophole in existing law that allows for spectators of cockfights to be treated with greater leniency than those who attend dog fights.
 
“Cockfighters routinely go jurisdiction shopping for states with the weakest penalties and go to those states to commit these crimes,” Ketron said. “Tennessee has some of the weakest cockfighting laws in the Southeast and is becoming a destination of choice for animal fighters. These events are also magnets for other criminal activities, including illegal gambling and drug trafficking.”
 
Currently, those who are charged with owning, possessing, keeping or training a rooster in Tennessee for cockfighting purposes face a Class A misdemeanor offense, which carries up to $2,500 in fines and a maximum of 11 months, 29 days in jail.

If passed, this bill would set the fine at a minimum of $500. The legislation also increases the penalties for the owners, trainers and promoters of cockfights upon a second or subsequent offense to a Class E felony, punishable by up to six years in prison and a fine of up to $3,000.
 
On the spectator side, it is currently a Class B misdemeanor to attend a dog fight and a Class C misdemeanor to attend a cockfight. 

This law would close a loophole in existing law used by offenders to avoid prosecution by increasing penalties for being a spectator at any type of animal fight to a Class A misdemeanor, with a minimum $500 fine.
 
Animal fighting is now illegal in all 50 states and a felony offense in 40 states.
 
“Cockfighting attracts such criminal elements as the Mexican drug cartel that ran multi-ton quantities of metamphetamine and heroine through cockfighting pits in our state," Ketron said. "Federal investigations have revealed intricate gambling operations with millions of dollars changing hands illegally.
 
“Children are routinely in attendance at these events where they are exposed to a host of criminal activities and animal cruelty. I am pleased this bill has received committee approval and am hopeful we can pass it this year.”

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CANNON HAPPENINGS
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Cockfighting, Senate
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