ANNAPOLIS – The Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee Monday unanimously approved a bill to curb cock- and dogfighting Monday, a measure similar to one that already passed the House of Delegates.
The bill, SB 365 was sponsored by Sen. John Giannetti, D-Prince George’s, and is virtually identical to HB 24 sponsored by Delegate Charles R. Boutin, R-Harford, which passed unanimously the House March 11.
The bill would criminalize ownership, training and possession of fighting animals, making it a felony punishable with up to three years in prison and a $5,000 fine.
Wayne Pacelle, senior vice president of the Humane Society, called dogfighting “barbaric” and warned the activity is often strongly associated with illicit gambling, drugs and gang activity. And, he said, pit bull fighting has become “rampant” in Prince George’s County, where new ownership of the breed has been banned since 1997.
The new legislation also would make spectators at a cock or dog fight guilty of a crime. Watching animal bouts would be a misdemeanor carrying a penalty of up to 90 days in jail and a $1,000 fine.
Fighting poultry also are often outfitted with slashing implements to do more damage to their opponents. These weapons, called gaffs, slashers, postizas, or sparring muffs, according to the bill, would be illegal to possess.
Maryland is one of five states that does not ban possession of dogs for animal fighting, according to the US Humane Society. Maryland and 47 other states prohibit cockfighting.
Other nearby states, including the District of Columbia, Pennsylvania, Delaware and New Jersey, have passed felony penalties for both fighting animals and hosting these events.
Julie Janovsky, Humane Society senior state legislative specialist, works across the country on animal fighting laws. The organization says more than 90,000 animal fighters exist nationwide. In 2003, the federal government passed a ban on the interstate transport and export of animals for fighting.
Maryland’s animal fighting law contains some of the “biggest loopholes in the country,” Janovsky said.
Giannetti said his bill will put teeth into the law.
On Monday, Prince George’s County authorities shut down a suspected dogfighting ring in Fort Washington. The 10 pit bulls were found behind a home and a 27-year-old, D’Angelo John, will be charged with cruelty to animals. The dogs were taken to a Forestville Animal Shelter.