Dog Fighting Laws

Organized dog fighting pits two dogs, usually pit bulls, against one another to fight until one or both dogs can no longer continue. People attending the fights can gamble, and there are cash prizes. The losing dog is usually shot or tortured to death. It's a felony in all 50 states.

  1. History

    • The Fighting Prohibition Enforcement Act was signed into law in May 2007, making a dog fighting a federal felony. Punishment is a minimum of $250,000 fine and 3 years in prison.

    Variation

    • Dog fighting is a felony in all 50 states, but some states have stricter punishment than others. California penalizes with a jail sentence of 1 to 10 years and fines of up to $25,000, for example, while Texas penalizes 180 days to 2 years with no fine.

    Spectator Laws

    • In all states but Montana and Hawaii, it is also illegal to be a spectator at a dog fight. In 22 states, being a spectator is also a felony. In the other 26, it is only a misdemeanor.

    Possession Laws

    • Owning dogs with the intent to fight them is also a felony in most states. It is a misdemeanor in West Virginia, Nevada, New York and Texas. Owning fighting dogs is a felony in Montana and Hawaii, even though being a spectator at a fight is not.

    Considerations

    • Dog fighting laws are very difficult to enforce because they are hard to find, and ownership of dogs or participation in events is hard to prove after the fact. If you suspect dog fighting in your neighborhood, contact your local law enforcement agency.