Sep 15, 2007 12:05 pm US/Eastern
Md. Works To Change Spectator Dogfighting Laws
by Jessica Kartalija
MARYLAND (WJZ) ―
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Maryland is near the bottom of a list of states having the weakest illegal dogfighting laws. (File)
KDKA
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick has drawn a lot of attention toward illegal dogfighting, which has ultimately shown that Maryland has some of the weakest laws for offenders.
Jessica Kartalija reports lawmakers are working to change that.
Many puppies grow up being trained to kill. In the ring, fights can last up to three hours and the winner brings in big bucks.
Just this week, dogs were recovered from a suspected fighting ring in Severna Park.
Ring organizers face felony charges, but spectators are only slapped with a misdemeanor. This leniency has prompted the Humane Society to rank Maryland 40th on a list of states with the worst dogfighting laws.
In response, Maryland lawmakers want the misdemeanor laws for spectators strengthened with new legislation.
Police in Howard County are offering a $1,000 reward to anyone with information on dogfighting there. A new task force targets offenders in Baltimore City.
Animal Control, the police department and the health department make up the dogfighting task force.
"We're setting up a program where if a call comes in, through 311 or e-mail, or any other way that we get it, we the Bureau of Animal Control will go out and investigate," said Bob Anderson from Animal Control.
Michael Vick faces up to five years in prison for running a dogfighting kennel in Virginia. Offenders there face the same penalty as offenders in Maryland.
Idaho and Wyoming are the only states that do not consider dogfighting a felony.
(© MMVII, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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