The news of Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick’s indictment for his alleged involvement in a cruel dogfighting ring has shocked and appalled football fans across the nation.  Even worse, the news has broken the hearts of so many Falcons fans who considered Michael Vick a superhero of sorts.  If anything good results from the notoriety of this case, it could only be that Vick has brought the issue of animal fighting to the forefront of public consciousness. 

Any type of organized animal fighting is a vicious and brutal practice.  However, dogfighting is especially horrific because the “fighting dog” (typically a pit bull) will live a life of unspeakable cruelty at the hands of those who then gamble on their deaths.  In addition, dogfighting is a bigger problem for our society as it produces a culture of corruption.  Often young children attend the events, and large sums of money wagered in the “sport” lead to the presence of guns and other weapons.  The criminal element associated with dogfighting can often be tied to illegal drugs, street gangs and felons. 

The fighting and maiming of dogs that allegedly occurred on Michael Vick’s property in Virginia can also be found across our state each and every week.  Unfortunately, Georgia is one of the last states in this country where those closely involved in this cruel and sadistic activity can go unpunished.   

Though they are positive dogfighting and cruelty to animals occurs in Georgia, many local sheriffs say these crimes often go unpunished because they are so difficult to prove.  For example, Gwinnett County Sheriff R.L. Conway’s office has offered a $10,000 reward for confirmed leads that result in an arrest for dogfighting in Gwinnett, but he’s made no arrests.  As a lawmaker, I am convinced that in the 2008 Legislative Session the General Assembly must make every effort to stop the practice of dogfighting in our state.

The state Senate has passed strong measures on dogfighting in the past two sessions of the General Assembly.  I am a co-sponsor of the current Animal Fighting Act, along with my colleague Sen. Chip Rogers of Woodstock.  One reason I chose to sign on to this legislation is because I am the owner of four dogs that I love very much.  In 2005, I chaired a subcommittee of the Senate Agriculture and Consumer Affairs Committee, which took at in-depth look at the first Animal Fighting/Baiting Act (Senate Bill 229), and found the legislation necessary to curtail this illegal activity in our state.  The current legislation up for consideration is SB 16, which would make it a felony for anyone knowingly selling, training or transporting dogs for the specific purpose of dogfighting.  SB 16 also makes it a felony for anyone knowingly hosting or promoting dog fights.  The penalty for fighting dogs would be significantly increased to up to five years in jail and a $5000 fine for the first offense.  Any second and subsequent offenses could be punished by up to 10 years in prison and a minimum fine of $15,000.   

SB 16 passed the Senate last session by a unanimous vote of 54 to 0 with two Senators being absent.   SB 229 passed the Senate in 2005 by a vote of 52 to 4, but failed to make it through for approval by the House.  SB 16 is still alive and now sits in the House Judiciary Committee.  Ultimately, it is my hope that the exposure of the Michael Vick case will encourage the House of Representatives to immediately pass SB 16 as its first order of business in January 2008.  Until then, I encourage you to contact your representatives in the Georgia House and urge them to take action on the Animal Fighting Act of 2007.  This way we can do our best to keep dogfighting out of Georgia, because it is a barbaric practice that must be stopped. 

Please feel free to contact Sen. Chip Pearson at his office in Atlanta at 404.656.9221 or by email at chip.pearson@senate.ga.gov.