A New Bill Would Boost Penalties For Cockfighting
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Sacramento, CA — California would join its neighboring states in boosting penalties for cockfighting, under a bill approved by the state Senate Tuesday.
A second offense could be charged as a felony under the legislation. Currently, cockfighting is only a misdemeanor.
The Humane Society of the United States says California´s law has made the state a refuge for cockfighting.
The practice is illegal in 48 states, and is a felony in 31 of those states. The maximum penalty for a misdemeanor is a year in jail even under increased penalties adopted in 2003.
Under the pending bill, a second violation could be charged as a felony carrying a sentence of up to three years in prison.
